Liposuction and bypass gastric anastomosis are procedures designed to reduce a person`s weight. But that`s where their similarity ends. By themselves, they are radically different. So, the main difference lies in:

• the method of the operation;
• preoperative preparation;
• postoperative rehabilitation;
• efficiency;
• the possibility of re-conducting.

Let`s take a closer look at the difference between the procedures.

Liposuction is performed using thin probes inserted directly into the fat layer. After special exposure (depending on the type of liposuction), the softened tissues are sucked off using a cannula. The main purpose of the operation is the local removal of fat from one or more parts of the body.

Bypass gastric anastomosis is an operation in which a part of the stomach is sutured, and the small intestine is attached to the formed small "pocket". The "new" stomach will work the same way as before, only a person will be able to be saturated with significantly less food. The operation is indicated for those who suffer from obesity and cannot lose weight in other ways.

Before liposuction, preparation takes a little time. The patient is required to pass tests, consult with the attending physician (in the presence of chronic diseases), consult with a plastic surgeon and an anesthesiologist. It is not recommended to smoke or drink alcohol a week before the operation. The last meal is a few hours before the operation.

Gastric anastomosis requires more serious preparation from the patient. If a person`s weight is too large– they may be asked to lose some weight. This is important because excess weight can cause complications during surgery. A full medical examination is performed immediately before the operation.

Rehabilitation after liposuction can last only a few days - it depends on the method of the procedure and the part of the body on which it is performed. For example, recovery after liposuction of the hands takes about a week. And carrying out a similar procedure on the back or stomach involves recovery within a month.

It takes several months for complete healing after gastric anastomosis. But this time is only recovery after surgery. In the future, the patient will need to be regularly monitored by a gastroenterologist.

Liposuction is a procedure of local action. That is– with its help, you can remove fat deposits from any part of the body. For example, to create a thin waist by removing fat from the abdomen and sides. The elimination of fat from these areas is the most in demand. Considering how much is full body liposuction or stomach lipo cost, it becomes clear why many resort to this procedure – it is quite affordable and effective. At the same time, the effect persists forever, because after removal, fat no longer increases in the treated area. But, if the general recommendations are not followed (proper nutrition, physical activity) the fat layer can actively grow on another part of the body.

Anastomosis helps to limit the amount of food consumed. Accordingly, getting fewer calories a day, a person will gradually begin to lose weight. According to statistics, overweight patients who underwent bypass gastric anastomosis lost 50-70% of their weight over the next 3 years after surgery. At the same time, the return of excess weight is impossible.

Repeated liposuction on the same part of the body is impossible. During the first procedure, excess adipose tissue is removed – and in this place it no longer grows. At the same time, it is permissible to perform liposuction on any other part of the body

Bypass gastric anastomosis can be done only once. Repeated operations are impossible due to the fact that the size of the stomach is reduced as much as possible. In addition, repeated surgery affecting the small intestine can lead to the development of a number of serious complications that will negatively affect the quality of life of the patient.

The main indication for liposuction is the presence of fat deposits. At the same time, their location does not matter – modern liposuction methods allow the procedure to be carried out even on the cheeks, the second chin, in the armpits. Contraindications to the procedure are:

• blood diseases (low clotting);
• diabetes mellitus;
• pregnancy and breast-feeding;
• mental disorders;
• chronic diseases in the acute phase;
• age up to 18 years.

The main indication for gastric anastomosis is obesity. The procedure is recommended for patients with a BMI of 35-40. But in some cases, surgery is also possible for patients with a lower BMI, but with existing concomitant diseases. These include:

• diabetes mellitus (or predisposition);
• diseases of the cardiovascular system that limit the ability to exercise.

One of the advantages of this procedure is that for people with excess body weight, it has practically no contraindications. At the same time, the operation can be postponed to a later date in case of exacerbation of any chronic disease.

No special preparation is required when planning liposuction. It is enough for the patient to consult with a plastic surgeon and take a standard package of tests (blood, urine, Covid-19 test). No special diet is needed before the operation. However, it is recommended to stop drinking alcohol and smoking 1-2 weeks before the procedure. The same restrictions apply in the postoperative period.

As for gastric anastomosis, the preparation for it is more serious. During the preoperative examination, specialists should examine the patient. People with excess body weight can have many concomitant diseases – and they must be taken into account. Before the operation, the patient should not eat during the day, 3 hours before the operation, they stop giving him fluid. Such measures are necessary. After the operation, the patient is not given food for the first day – only a small amount of water. Taking antibiotics is mandatory, because there is always a possibility of developing an inflammatory process.

Liposuction is a relatively simple procedure that takes a little time. Of course, a lot depends on the impact zone. In addition, liposuction is often combined with lipofilling. This is a procedure during which the pumped fat is pumped into another part of the patient`s body. This procedure allows you to create the desired body contour without resorting to implantation.

Gastric anastomosis is a procedure that in most cases is performed laparoscopically. That is, with the help of probes inserted into the body. This method is less traumatic for the patient. Healing is faster, and the probability of postoperative complications is significantly lower. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. During her surgery, the surgeon reduces the volume of the stomach, separates part of the small intestine forming a bypass intestine and connects it to the "new" stomach.

During liposuction, minor damage to blood vessels and nerve endings is observed. As a consequence, minor swelling and hematomas may appear after the procedure. They come off in about 7-10 days. During the postoperative period, physical exercises, taking a hot bath or visiting a sauna are not recommended. It is advisable to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. Be sure to wear compression underwear if the procedure was performed on the abdomen, sides, back or buttocks. Already a few days after the operation, a person can lead a habitual lifestyle.

After gastric anastomosis, the patient is under inpatient observation for the first 2-3 weeks. This period is quite difficult both physically and emotionally. Physically, a person needs to get used to eating very small portions. Emotional discomfort is caused by the fact that many patients who have undergone gastric anastomosis in the past literally "stuck" any stress.

After the anastomosis, the patient`s life changes dramatically. First of all, it is constantly necessary to take vitamins, trace elements – this is important, because due to the limitation of the amount of food consumed, their intake into the body is limited.

The main complications after liposuction are edema, hematomas. In case of errors during the procedure, the skin becomes bumpy. This is due to the uneven administration of the drug – as a result, when the softened fat is sucked off, a denser part of the tissues remains. The second reason for lumpiness is premature rejection of compression underwear.

Since bypass gastric anastomosis is still a rather complicated operation that changes part of the digestive system, there is a risk of postoperative complications. These include:

• internal bleeding;
• infection of sutures;
• complications caused by the administration of anesthetics;
• intestinal atony (pathology in which the mobility of the gastrointestinal tract is impaired);
• poor healing.

But the probability of such complications is very insignificant. In 75% of cases, postoperative recovery takes place without complications.

Comparing the advantages of both procedures, it should be noted their effectiveness. Liposuction perfectly solves the problems of local fat deposition, while bypass gastric anastomosis helps to cope with the problem of excess weight in general. At the same time, with both one and the second procedure, the weight is not returned. After liposuction, adipose tissue does not grow where it was removed from. The anastomosis as a whole ensures the patient`s weight loss. And since the operation significantly reduces the amount of food consumed (and, accordingly, calories consumed), weight gain is impossible in the future. In addition, the anastomosis helps to restrain the development of diabetes, which often happens in people with obesity. According to statistics, 2-5 years after surgery, patients have a significant decrease in the likelihood of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system, joint problems disappear.

The main disadvantage of liposuction is that excess weight may still appear. If the doctor`s recommendations are not followed (healthy diet, physical activity), an increase in the fat layer on those parts of the body where liposuction has not been performed is possible.

A clear disadvantage of bypass gastric anastomosis, in turn, can be called the risk of complications, the need to control nutrition and the quality of food consumed, the need for additional intake of vitamins and minerals.

The cost of these procedures is disproportionate. It is difficult to compare how much liposuction of the whole body costs and the price of gastric anastomosis with subsequent recovery. It must be remembered that the reasons for the operations vary significantly. Anastomosis can be attributed to extreme measures in the fight against obesity. While liposuction helps to get rid of a relatively small amount of fat.

Do not forget that liposuction is still more aimed at local fat removal. During abdominal liposuction, the price of the procedure, of course, will be lower than the price of the anastomosis.

Both liposuction and bypass gastric anastomosis are performed in order to correct the patient`s weight. However, it should be taken into account that liposuction still refers to procedures of local action. It is quite simple, has an affordable price. Contraindications and complications are minimal. Anastomosis is a more "heavy" weapon that is used only in really difficult cases.