How much weight do you lose after gastric sleeve surgery?

Bariatric surgery, or gastric sleeve, is a procedure for patients with obesity. It is a technique that improves comorbidities and reduces metabolic profile alterations such as blood sugar, lipids, and blood pressure levels, and can even prevent or favor the resolution of type 2 diabetes.

Gastric bypass is characterized as a technique for those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35, meaning extreme obesity or obesity, according to an informative article from Mayo Clinic. Consequently, this surgery has become highly popular in recent years thanks to its great effectiveness; however, its results depend on the patient's starting weight and condition.

How much weight is lost after gastric sleeve surgery?

Patients can lose up to 70 to 80% of their excess weight, depending on their condition and other factors. Undergoing a gastric sleeve decreases the amount of food a person can ingest by reducing the size of the stomach. It is a technique that has demonstrated better results than medication-based treatments.

During the first 6 months following surgery, patients often lose between 60 and 80% of their excess weight. However, weight loss is highly variable, as it is heavily influenced by the follow-up from the surgeon's multidisciplinary team and the patient's lifestyle changes. For example, patients who are more physically active achieve exceptional results.

At what rate is weight lost after gastric bypass?

If standard medical indications are followed, patients typically lose between 2 to 5 kg (4.5 to 11 lbs) per month starting the second month after surgery throughout the first year, though this varies from person to person. During the second year, weight loss will slow down or stabilize. The most important takeaway is that most patients lose enough weight to notice a profound change in their lifestyle and quality of life, alongside recovering the health needed to perform daily activities with ease.

Therefore, when undergoing these types of interventions, it is highly recommended to consult an expert surgeon backed by a multidisciplinary team of nutritionists and psychologists to ensure a follow-up that delivers the desired results.