How Does SADI Surgery Compare to Gastric Bypass for Weight Loss?
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis found a potential weight loss advantage with SADI-S compared to gastric bypass at certain follow-up points, though no clear differences were seen between the two procedures for improving type 2 diabetes, blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
Who Was Studied and How the Research Was Done
Researchers pooled results from 12 comparative studies involving 3,317 adults with severe obesity, with searches covering published evidence up to April 2026. The two procedures compared were SADI-S (single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy, a weight loss surgery that combines a gastric sleeve with a rerouting of digestion through a single connection point) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, also known as stomach bypass. This type of study, called a systematic review and meta-analysis, draws together multiple studies to look for patterns across a larger combined group of patients.
What the Researchers Found
The analysis suggested a potential weight loss benefit with SADI-S at selected follow-up time points, and a possible reduction in the need for repeat operations and certain late surgical complications. No clear differences were found between the two procedures in the resolution of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or in a blood sugar marker called HbA1c. There was also a trend toward greater calcium deficiency with SADI-S, though this did not reach statistical significance.
What This Study Does and Does Not Tell Us
The overall certainty of the evidence was rated as low or very low, because of limitations in how the individual studies were designed and differences between them. No included study provided mortality data in a form that could be combined across the group, so death rates could not be compared. The researchers noted that high quality long term randomised studies are still needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
About this research: Comparative Outcomes of Single Anastomosis Duodeno Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Roux en Y Gastric Bypass in Adults with Severe Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis, Obesity Surgery, 2026. Read the study summary
More about the procedure is on our SADI page. If you are considering your options, call us on (03) 9760 2777 or request an appointment through our website.