When we first started researching weight loss surgery, the gastric sleeve wasn’t our top choice. It seemed so permanent having 80% of your stomach removed with no way to undo it was a daunting thought.
Initially, we considered eight different options for weight loss surgery. We didn’t look into Ozempic, so that’s not included in our list:
1. Intragastric Balloon
A temporary balloon placed in the stomach to reduce its capacity, typically lasting about six months. We found it too temporary for our needs.
2. Gastric Band (Lap-Band)
An adjustable band placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch, limiting food intake. This was popular in the past, but many places have stopped offering it.
3. Gastric Bypass
The stomach is divided to create a small pouch and rerouted to the small intestine, reducing food intake and nutrient absorption. This looked like a solid option.
4. Mini Gastric Bypass
A simpler version of the gastric bypass, creating a small stomach pouch and bypassing part of the small intestine. This also seemed like a good choice.
5. Duodenal Switch
This procedure removes part of the stomach and reroutes the small intestine, significantly limiting both food intake and nutrient absorption. We didnÕt consider this as it felt like a last-resort option.
6. Gastric Sleeve
A large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, tube-shaped stomach to limit food intake. This seemed like a good option, similar to the bypass but with more stomach capacity.
7. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
A non-surgical procedure that uses sutures to reduce the stomach size from the inside, mimicking the effects of a gastric sleeve. We ruled this out due to negative reviews about its effectiveness and because it doesn’t reduce the hunger hormone as much.
8. Gastric Plication
The stomach is folded inwards and stitched to reduce its size without removing any part of it. Like the endoscopic sleeve, we ruled this out for similar reasons.
After thoroughly researching all these options, we narrowed it down to the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. This helped us focus our search for a surgeon. At the facility we chose, patients are booked for both the sleeve and the bypass. After pre-op tests, the surgeon makes a recommendation based on the results. For us, the surgeon recommended a gastric sleeve because we had no signs of acid reflux. If reflux had been an issue, they would have recommended a bypass. Fortunately, we didn’t have to consider that further.
In our minds, we were set on getting a gastric sleeve. It was our ideal choice, and we hoped it would work well for us. But if it didn’t, we knew we could convert to a bypass in the future, which was reassuring. Hopefully, it won’t come to that, but having that option is comforting. Similarly, if a bypass ever failed, there’s always the possibility of converting to a Duodenal Switch, though that’s a worst-case scenario. Our goal is for the sleeve to be successful.