You are here:

Bariatric Surgery/gastrosleeve vs roux-en-y

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/12/2009


Question
I am a 31 year old female that is 424 lbs. and 5ft 6 in tall, with no current health issues due to obesity execpt sore knees. I have been overweight my whole entire life. My question is I am paying for the procedure out of pocket and would like to know whick procedure will help me lose the most weight and keep it off for good. Thank you

Answer
Tuccia,
I am going to answer your question from the perspective of a surgeon who routinely performs gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric band.  I like all three, and I think there is a place for each in the battle against obesity.

So, if you are seeking the surgical procedure that is most likely to help you achieve lifetime weight control, the clear winner is the gastric bypass.  The sleeve has early weight loss results which are similar to the gastric bypass, but the data beyond 4 years simply does not exist.  In the medical field, we have learned over and over that we don't know the whole story until we know what happens 15-20 years later.

Specifically with the sleeve, the concern is that the narrow tube of stomach will gradually expand and food capacity will expand with it.

Best of luck!
Dr JP

Bariatric Surgery

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

John Pilcher, MD

Expertise

I can answer medically oriented questions about bariatric surgery including: patient selection, preparation for surgery, differences between types of bariatric surgery, aftercare following bariatric surgery. I can answer detailed questions about gastric bypass, Lap-Band, gastric sleeve, and revision bariatric surgery. I am only somewhat familiar with Biliopancreatic diversion. I am not prepared to answer insurance or other financial questions related to bariatric surgery.

Experience

I have been a practicing bariatric surgeon since 1995. About 85% of my current practice consists of bariatric surgery, including all of the above procedures except biliopancreatic diversion. I am the senior surgeon of a 5-surgeon group. I am recognized among surgeons and other medical professionals as the most experienced bariatric surgeon in my region.

Organizations
Fellow of American College of Surgeons Member, American Society for Bariatric Surgery

Education/Credentials
BA in Biochemistry - University of Virginia Medical Degree - University of Virginia Surgical Residency - University of Virginia

Awards and Honors
Alpha Omega Alpha

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.