Surgery Comparison Centre
Pick two procedures. Put them head-to-head.
Compare the six core options by anatomy, weight-loss evidence, recovery, reflux, vitamins, reversibility, NHS availability and current UK cost context.
All six at a glance
| Procedure | Typical weight-loss context | Reversible? | Recovery | Reflux | Vitamins | UK cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve | ~20–30% TBWL | No | Around 4–6 weeks to normal activity | Can worsen reflux | Lifelong supplements + monitoring | Typical UK market £7k–£11k; provider examples ~£9,975–£13,900 |
| Roux-en-Y Bypass | ~20–30% TBWL | Not routinely | Around 4–6 weeks | Can improve reflux in selected patients | Lifelong; significant nutritional monitoring | Typical UK market £9.5k–£15k |
| Mini / OAGB | Up to ~30–35% TBWL | Revision possible, not simple | Around 4–6 weeks | Bile reflux is a specific concern | Lifelong; malnutrition monitoring essential | Varies; usually similar order to bypass pricing |
| Gastric Band | More variable | Removable | Usually quicker than sleeve/bypass | Can cause reflux / swallowing symptoms | Monitoring still important; less malabsorptive | Typical UK market £5k–£8k + future fills / possible revision |
| Gastric Balloon | ~10–15% TBWL in some programmes | Temporary / removed or passed | Days to a couple of weeks | Nausea/reflux common early | No surgical malabsorption | Typical UK market £2k–£5k |
| ESG | Mid-teens TBWL | Potentially revisable; not trivial | Generally quicker than surgery | Can occur; different from surgical sleeve | No intestinal bypass; nutrition still important | Private UK pricing varies by centre; often between balloon and surgery |
What the table cannot decide for you
Reflux
Sleeve, Roux-en-Y and OAGB behave very differently if reflux is already part of your life.
Diabetes
Metabolic benefit can materially change the choice between restrictive, bypass and non-surgical options.
Follow-up
A lower headline cost is worthless if lifelong blood tests, vitamins or emergency care are not planned.
Shift Says
The point of a comparison tool is not to crown a winner. It is to make sure you walk into a surgical consultation knowing which questions actually matter.
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