Which weight loss surgery is right for you?
The gastric sleeve or the gastric bypass?
Get expert guidance on choosing between the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve with Dr. El Djouzi's advanced personalized assessment tool.
*This assessment reflects current standards in bariatric surgery in the USA, but is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.*
Why Take This Assessment?
Every patient is unique. This tool helps identify the best surgical option for your specific needs.
Personalized Match Score
Get a recommendation tailored to your health profile, lifestyle and goals.
Compare Options
Understand the key differences between the gastric sleeve and bypass.
Expert Guidance
Based on 15+ years of experience and 2,400+ successful surgeries.
Meet Dr. Sofiane El Djouzi
Dr. Sofiane El Djouzi is a leading bariatric surgeon dedicated to helping patients reclaim their health through personalized, evidence-based care. He holds a Doctor of Medicine, a Master of Science in Advanced Surgical Endoscopy and an MBA. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
- Dual board-certified in General Surgery and Obesity Medicine
- Fellowship-trained in advanced GI, minimally invasive, bariatric and endoscopic surgery
- Former Assistant Professor of Surgery at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine
- Former proctor and instructor in robotic surgery
- 15+ years of bariatric experience with over 2,400 successful procedures
- Recognized among the top 1% of bariatric surgeons nationwide
Dr. El Djouzi combines advanced laparoscopic, robotic and endoscopic techniques with holistic, long-term support — addressing nutrition, emotional well-being and lifestyle — for safer procedures, quicker recovery and lasting success.
Trusted by Patients Nationwide
Our outcomes and experience speak for themselves.
4.9/5
Average rating (400+ reviews)
98%
Would recommend us
2,400+
Successful procedures
15+
Years experience
Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass
Not sure which surgery is right for you? Here's how the two most common procedures differ.
Gastric Sleeve
- Removes ~80% of the stomach; no intestinal rerouting
- Simpler procedure with fewer complications
- 60–70% excess weight loss within 1–2 years
- Can be converted to bypass later if needed
- May worsen reflux in some patients
Gastric Bypass
- Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the intestines
- Often leads to faster early weight loss
- 70–80% excess weight loss within 1–2 years
- Better improvement in diabetes and acid reflux
- Requires lifelong vitamin supplementation
Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass FAQs
Weight Loss & Results
Here's the truth: both surgeries work really well, and you'll start seeing amazing changes in the first few months! Bypass might help you lose weight a little faster at first, but sleeve gives you steady, lasting results too. Sometimes your weight loss might slow down for a bit – that's totally normal and happens with both surgeries. What really matters is picking the surgery that's right for your body and life. Dr. El Djouzi will help you figure out which one will work best for you long-term.
Most people lose about 75–80% of their extra weight with bypass, and 60–70% with sleeve. That's a huge difference in your life! Some people do even better and lose almost all their extra weight, while a few might not lose as much. But here's what's really exciting – both surgeries help fix diabetes, sleep problems and joint pain. Your results depend on how well you stick to your new healthy habits. With Dr. El Djouzi's program, you'll have everything you need to succeed.
Don't worry about statistics – your success comes from having the right surgeon and following your program. Dr. El Djouzi's patients do better than average because he's really good at what he does and takes great care of you afterward. You'll get help with eating right, regular check-ups and support groups. When you have a team that truly cares about your success, you'll be in that 95% who reach their goals.
This is completely different from dieting! Surgery actually changes how your body works – your hunger hormones and metabolism work differently now. Yes, your weight loss might slow down sometimes (we call these "stalls"), but your smaller stomach and new hormones keep helping you 24/7. We'll teach you exactly what to do when this happens. This isn't another diet that will fail – it's like hitting a reset button on your whole body.
Safety & Risks
Both surgeries are very safe when done by experienced doctors like Dr. El Djouzi. The risk of problems is only 3–5% for both surgeries – that's actually safer than gallbladder surgery! Staying very overweight is much more dangerous for your health. People share their problems loudly online, but successful people often stay quiet. You hear the few bad stories way more than the thousands of success stories. We use the latest techniques and take excellent care of you to keep you safe.
Dumping syndrome sounds scary, but it's preventable and manageable. It happens when you eat too much sugar or fat too fast, and your body tells you "hey, slow down!" with some temporary discomfort. Many patients actually like it because it helps them stick to healthy eating. Dr. El Djouzi and our team will teach you exactly how to eat to avoid this. Most people think it's worth it for the amazing weight loss and diabetes improvements they get.
About 20% of sleeve patients get new heartburn or their existing heartburn gets worse, but that doesn't mean it will happen to you. We can usually manage it with medicine and eating changes. Dr. El Djouzi has a special quiz to help figure out which surgery is best for you and avoid these problems. He'll look at your heartburn history carefully. If you already have bad heartburn, bypass actually makes it better for most people. Your situation is unique – we won't base your decision on someone else's experience.
Bypass can technically be undone, but sleeve can't. Both surgeries are so safe that reversals almost never happen. Instead of worrying about undoing it, think about this: you're working with a great program that gets it right the first time. Dr. El Djouzi has tons of experience and is really careful to avoid problems. Focus on moving forward with confidence instead of planning for problems that probably won't happen.
Lifestyle After Surgery
You'll actually enjoy food more than before! Yes, you'll eat smaller amounts, but food will taste better and you'll feel satisfied with less. You won't need huge portions to feel full anymore. Most people eat appetizers instead of main courses or share meals with someone. We'll teach you simple tricks for eating out so you can enjoy every social occasion while keeping your results. Real food freedom means eating thoughtfully, not eating everything in sight.
Your body might handle alcohol differently after surgery. With bypass, alcohol hits you faster, so you need to be more careful. With sleeve, it's pretty much the same as before. We'll give you clear guidelines based on which surgery you have. The goal is keeping your social life while protecting your health investment. Most people find they naturally want less alcohol as their whole relationship with food and drinks changes.
Both surgeries mean taking vitamins for life, but think of it as a small daily habit that keeps you healthy and energetic. Both change how your body absorbs nutrients, so you need extra vitamins. Think of vitamins as your daily promise to keep your amazing transformation going strong. Our team checks your vitamin levels regularly and adjusts what you need. It's a small price for the incredible changes you'll see.
It's actually pretty easy once you learn a few simple rules: eat slowly, choose foods with protein, skip sugary drinks and stop when you feel satisfied. Most coworkers won't even notice you're eating less. Dr. El Djouzi teaches you practical tips for every social situation before your surgery. Your work life actually gets better because you'll have more confidence, energy and presence when you reach your health goals.
Recovery & Return to Work
Most of our patients go home the next day after surgery and get back to desk jobs in 1–2 weeks. Some even start working on their computers the next day while still in the hospital! If you do heavy physical work (like construction or being a firefighter), you might need 3 weeks off. Dr. El Djouzi uses techniques that make recovery faster and less painful. Many people are amazed at how quickly they feel normal – often better than they've felt in years.
You'll need some help for 1–2 weeks, especially since you can't lift or push anything over 10 pounds for the first two weeks. Within a couple days, you can handle most daily activities, but you need to be careful. Ask family, friends or hire someone to help – it's a small investment in your family's future. As you heal and lose weight, you'll have way more energy for your kids than you've had in years. We'll give you specific tips to keep family life running smoothly.
You can start light exercise in about 2 weeks and get back to full workouts by 6 weeks. Dr. El Djouzi will give you a personal plan based on your surgery and fitness level. Many people love exercise more after surgery because their joints don't hurt and they have better endurance. Working out becomes so much more fun when you're not carrying extra weight. We'll help you get back to activities you love while making sure you heal properly.
Insurance & Cost
Insurance usually covers both surgeries when they're medically needed, no matter which one your doctor recommends. Dr. El Djouzi works with you to pick the surgery that's best for your health and your life. Our insurance team handles the paperwork and fights for your coverage. The goal is getting you the right surgery for the best results, not just picking what's easiest to get approved. Your health is worth fighting for.
Insurance denials are frustrating, but we often win on appeal when we have the right paperwork and don't give up. Our experienced team handles appeals professionally, which really improves your chances. Many patients who get denied at first end up getting covered and are so glad they didn't quit. You're not fighting alone – our insurance team becomes your advocates, and Dr. El Djouzi knows exactly how to handle appeals and peer review calls. Your life-changing transformation is worth the fight.