Difference between mini gastric bypass and gastric bypass

Comparing Mini Gastric Bypass and Gastric Bypass: Unveiling the Key Distinctions

In recent years, bariatric surgery has become a more popular treatment option for severe obesity and other weight-related health issues. Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) and Gastric Bypass (GB) have emerged as two prominent surgical procedures among the many available for severely obese patients.

While both procedures aim to help patients lose weight and improve their overall health, they are not identical. Understanding the distinctions between the two types of weight loss surgeries can assist individuals in making informed decisions with their doctors regarding the surgery they should undergo, if necessary.

This blog aims to compare Mini Gastric Bypass and Gastric Bypass, providing a clear understanding of the differences between these procedures. Before delving into the dissimilarities, it is important to comprehend the specifics of each procedure.

Bariatric surgery is the most popular and successful form of weight loss surgery, and among the many types of bariatric surgery one type stands out as being one of the most researched, reliable, and popular: gastric bypass.

However, not many people know that there are two primary types of gastric bypass: traditional gastric bypass surgery and mini gastric bypass surgery. Both of them are potent weight loss surgeries, but there are some key differences between the two surgeries.

While, ultimately, a physician should decide which type of surgery is suitable for your case. Nevertheless, learning what both types of surgeries are precisely and what distinguishes them will help you make more informed decisions. And this is exactly what we’ll aim to do in this article.

What is a Gastric Bypass? 

Gastric bypass is a type of bariatric surgery that involves creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting the small intestine to connect to the pouch. This allows food to bypass most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine, which reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.

The procedure is typically performed laparoscopically, but it can also be performed through an open incision. Gastric bypass is a more complicated surgery than other bariatric procedures, such as sleeve gastrectomy or mini gastric bypass. It takes longer to perform and has a higher risk of complications, such as leaks and infections.

Recovery from gastric bypass surgery takes several weeks. Patients typically stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery and then need to take it easy for several weeks at home. They may also experience some side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Despite the risks and recovery time, gastric bypass is a very effective weight loss surgery. It can help patients lose a significant amount of weight and improve their overall health.

The Benefits of Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and changes the way food is absorbed. In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery has several benefits, including:

• Improved cardiovascular health: Gastric bypass surgery can decrease a person’s risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral heart disease. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels can also return to normal or near-normal levels.
• Resolution of type 2 diabetes: Gastric bypass surgery can resolve type 2 diabetes in nearly 90% of cases. Other health problems related to obesity, such as high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and sleep apnea, can also improve.
• Improved quality of life: Gastric bypass surgery can improve a person’s ability to perform routine daily activities, which can lead to an improved quality of life.
• Reduction in joint pain: Gastric bypass surgery can reduce joint pain, also known as Osteoarthritis.
• Resolution of acid reflux: Gastric bypass surgery can resolve gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Reduction in cravings for unhealthy foods: Gastric bypass surgery can reduce cravings for unhealthy foods and decrease feelings of hunger.
• Improved self-esteem: Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve self-esteem and overall quality of life.

It is important to note that gastric bypass surgery is a major surgery with risks, and it is not for everyone. However, for people who are severely obese and have tried other weight loss methods without success, gastric bypass surgery can be a life-changing procedure that can improve their health and quality of life.

The Risks and Downsides of Traditional Gastric Bypass

As an invasive surgery, gastric bypass isn’t without its risks and downsides:

• Traditional Gastric bypass might result in complications: despite being the oldest bariatric surgery, gastric bypass isn’t perfectly safe. It is a very invasive surgery that requires hours of work by an experienced surgeon.
• Traditional Gastric bypass might result in malnutrition: although malabsorption helps the patient lose weight, it also has side effects: by making food digestion less effective, it won’t only reduce caloric intake, but it also weakens the body’s ability to get the necessary vitamins, minerals, etc. from food. And although this can be fixed by the patient taking multivitamin pills every day, it is something you need to keep in mind.
• Traditional Gastric bypass isn’t reversible: as it is major surgery for morbidly obese patients, there is no way to reverse gastric bypass. Patients have to keep this in mind before making the final decision. There’s a silver lining, however: there are corrective surgeries that can deal with most complications that might arise from the surgery.

What is a Mini Gastric Bypass

Mini gastric bypass is a type of bariatric surgery that involves creating a small stomach pouch and connecting it to the small intestine with a single anastomosis. This is less complicated than a traditional gastric bypass, which involves more rerouting of the intestines.

The procedure is typically performed laparoscopically, but it can also be performed through an open incision. Mini gastric bypass has a lower risk of complications and a quicker recovery time than traditional gastric bypass.

How Does Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery Compare?

Mini gastric bypass, while being a different type of surgery, it is still gastric bypass, and this means that almost everything we wrote about gastric bypass applies to mini gastric bypass.

The key difference is how both surgeries are performed. Mini gastric bypass surgery involves a new approach that helps the patient achieve the same results with less intestine rerouting. The surgery was first performed in the 90s, so it is a relatively novel approach.

The Benefits of Mini Gastric Bypass

Again, the benefits of mini gastric bypass are identical to traditional gastric bypass. But, mini gastric bypass does have some key benefits over the traditional method:

• Less Time Consuming and Simple: Mini gastric bypass surgery takes less time to perform than traditional gastric bypass surgery. Mini gastric bypass surgery typically takes about 1.5-2 hours to perform, compared to 2-3 hours for traditional gastric bypass surgery. This is because the mini gastric bypass procedure is less complex and involves fewer steps. Mini gastric bypass surgery is less complicated than traditional gastric bypass surgery.
• Reduced Complication Risk: Mini gastric bypass surgery has been shown to have a lower risk of complications than traditional gastric bypass surgery. This is likely due to the fact that it is a simpler procedure with fewer steps.
• Reduced Risk of Internal Hernia: An internal hernia is a rare but serious complication of bariatric surgery. It occurs when a loop of intestine gets caught in a hole in the tissue that holds the intestines in place. Mini gastric bypass surgery has been shown to have a lower risk of internal hernia than traditional gastric bypass surgery, as the procedure is simple. 
• Improved Long-Term Weight Maintenance: Research suggests that individuals who undergo mini gastric bypass surgery may have better long-term weight maintenance compared to traditional gastric bypass surgery.
• Control of Type 2 Diabetes: Mini gastric bypass surgery has been shown to control type 2 diabetes before weight loss occurs. This is because the procedure reduces the amount of food that the body absorbs, which can help to lower blood sugar levels.
• Lower Cost: The mini gastric bypass surgery is often associated with lower healthcare costs due to its shorter duration and simplified technique.

The Risks of Gastric Bypass

If mini-gastric bypass only had benefits without downsides, the traditional gastric bypass would’ve stopped being performed. But this is not the case, sadly. Mini gastric bypass also has some downsides:

• lower effectiveness: although mini gastric bypass is still a very potent weight loss surgery, it is sadly less effective than the traditional method. There’s no getting around this: it is inherent to how the surgery is performed.
• less availability: since mini gastric bypass is a relatively new surgery, not many doctors have the tools or experience necessary to perform it. You’ll have a harder time finding a professional medical clinic to perform the surgery at.

A Comparative Difference Between Gastric Bypass and Mini Gastric Bypass

Disclaimer: The following comparison chart between gastric and mini gastric surgery for weight loss is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice or consultation.

Which Procedure is Right For Patients

Ultimately, the best type of bariatric surgery for an individual will depend on their unique needs and circumstances. Considerations such as body mass index, overall health condition, previous medical history, and personal preferences should be carefully evaluated to ensure the most suitable surgical approach is taken. It is also important to consult with your doctor before making a concrete decision on which kind of surgery is best for you.

Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) and Gastric Bypass (GB) are both effective surgical procedures for severe obesity and weight-related health problems. While they both aim to lose weight and improve health, they differ in the extent to which the intestines are rerouted and the risks that come with it. 

Gastric bypass is a more complex procedure with a longer recovery time, but it provides a greater percentage of excess weight loss and additional benefits such as resolving type 2 diabetes. Mini gastric bypass, on the other hand, is a simpler procedure with a shorter recovery time and lower complication rates. Finally, the decision between the two surgeries should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional, based on individual needs and preferences.