Each weight loss surgery procedure is different in the way that it helps you lose weight. Some procedures are more powerful than others but require a larger change to internal anatomy to achieve greater weight loss results. Statistics show that the gastric bypass is the most powerful procedure, you can expect to lose around 60-70% of your excess weight over a two year period.

While the gastric bypass is regarded as the most powerful weight loss surgery, there may be another procedure that’s more suited to you. Everyone is different, and your surgeon will discuss everything with you at your consultation to find the solution that’s right for you.

It’s important to note that weight loss surgery is a tool that helps you lose weight, the best results come when you work with your procedure by eating the right foods, getting ample exercise and maintaining mental wellbeing. Losing weight is a journey that requires your commitment, it’s when people understand this that we see the most incredible transformations.

Deciding on your procedure

The first thing to consider when deciding which weight loss surgery is right for you is your Body Mass Index (BMI). Some procedures require a higher BMI to be eligible. The gastric band and ESG (non-surgical sleeve) require a minimum BMI of 30, whereas if your BMI is over 35, you are eligible for all of the weight loss procedures that we offer.

The gastric band is perhaps the most well-known surgery. A small silicone band is placed around the top of your stomach creating a small pouch above it. Fluid can be inserted into the band to make it tighter or removed to make it looser. It’s usually at around the third ‘fill’ that we find the right amount that’s right for you to encourage greater weight loss.

Another important factor to consider is whether your procedure is reversible. The band doesn’t require and changes to internal anatomy and therefore is fully reversible. Healthier Weight patients who had their gastric band procedure in 2020 have lost on average 31% of their excess BMI. We only expect this number to increase as patients reach the one year mark and begin to find the optimum level of fluid in their band.

Gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass

The gastric sleeve and gastric bypass both deliver excellent weight loss results, but also require a larger change to internal anatomy. The gastric sleeve is the fastest growing bariatric procedure in the world, you can read what makes the gastric sleeve so popular here. There are similarities between each of these procedures, but also key differences.

Both procedures encourage weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach to a much smaller pouch, meaning you get fuller, quicker. Also, what’s known as the “hunger hormone” ghrelin is dramatically reduced.

The difference between sleeve and bypass surgery is that the way the new, much smaller, stomach is created.

Gastric sleeve surgery

When you have a gastric sleeve, otherwise known as a sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon will permanently remove around 80% of your stomach, and what remains is sewn into a small, banana-shaped pouch.

One of the main attractions of the gastric sleeve is that usually, this much smaller stomach allows you to lose weight quickly. And studies show an average excess weight loss of 60-70% over a 2 year period.

Nikita had her gastric sleeve in March 2020 and has been able to lose 13 stone, read her story here.

Gastric bypass surgery

With gastric bypass surgery, otherwise known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the smaller stomach is created and your small intestine is re-routed to “bypass” the main part of your stomach.

The part of the stomach that has been bypassed is then attached further down the small intestine so that it’s still able to provide the digestive enzymes and acid that’s produced there.

The bypassed part of the stomach is attached further down the small intestine, so it still provides the acid and digestive enzymes produced there. Weight loss is encouraged by this much smaller stomach and also through bypassing the area of your stomach which usually absorbs calories.

Typically, we expect gastric bypass patients to lose 60-70% of their excess weight over a 2-year period, and most of this weight is lost in the first year after surgery.

ESG (non-surgical sleeve)

The ESG is an exciting development in obesity treatment that offers people a safe and effective alternative to the established weight loss options. Its main attraction is that it is non-surgical so people benefit from a lower risk profile and faster recovery time.

It works in two ways:

1. Much like the bypass, sleeve and band, the ESG works by reducing the size of the stomach and restricting how much food can be consumed.
2. It slows gastric emptying. This means the food you consume stays in the stomach a little longer.

The ESG involves suturing the stomach from the inside to significantly reduce its capacity by up to 80%. It is a technique developed by Healthier Weight surgeon Mr Jamie Kelly, and while it is still a relatively new procedure, early evidence shows weight loss results of around 50% excess BMI over 6 months and 60% over 2 years.

You can read everything you need to know about the ESG (non-surgical sleeve) here.

No matter your situation, there is a range of surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures available to you. Our dedicated patient care team and specialist surgeons are ready to help you find the solution that works for you today. Fill in the form below to get your quote.