Gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic feature that removes 70-80% of the stomach and what’s left looks like a tube or “sleeve.” This is a very effective weight-loss procedure and creates hormonal changes in the body that curb hunger. This disturbance in hormones will last for about a year, then the small tube of the stomach begins to limit how much food the body takes in. I am sure you are asking… After gastric sleeve surgery, how much weight can I expect to lose?
How much weight can you lose from gastric sleeve surgery?
Patients often ask about how much weight they can lose with this procedure. It’s important to note that it varies from patient to patient. Some patients can expect to lose about 25% to 60% of their excess fat. There are factors that impact how much you lose including diet and exercise, lifestyle, and how committed you are to changing old habits that need to be broken.
During the first month, patients can expect an average weight loss of up to 30 pounds. After three months, the percentage of overall excess loss can reach up to 30 percent. That number increases to 50 percent after six months – which means the expected weight loss translates to about two pounds per week.
After 12 months, up to 60 percent of the excess weight is lost. After 18 months, the total percentage of excess weight lost can reach 70 to 80 percent. A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy had the most consistent long-term weight loss years after surgery.
Losing Weight and Keeping it Off
However, the amount of weight loss in gastric sleeve patients depends totally on them. After any bariatric surgery, you will need to be patient and follow a strict diet plan in tandem with staying active. Some tips on losing the weight and keeping it off after gastric sleeve surgery include:
- Eliminating carbs: carbohydrates poison the fat burning mechanism and create hunger. This will make you want to eat more, and the fat will have a harder time disappearing!
- Drink the right thing: Say goodbye to sugary, carbonated drinks. Post-surgery, you will need to drink at least 96 ounces of fluid each day. This should be fluid that has no caffeine, carbonation, or calories in it. Water is best!
- Keep moving: Staying active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. After surgery, talk to your doctor about a fitness plan. You will need to take it easy immediately after surgery, but once you are healed up, you should be launching into a mild exercise plan.
Undergoing weight loss surgery is a time for you to rethink your life and take hold of it! Find someone or a group of people that will help be an encouragement for you during this time. Support during your new weight loss journey is one of the key ways to stay successful.
Our highly trained team of bariatric surgeons and other health care professionals at WeightWise understands that you might feel overwhelmed at starting this new lifestyle. Contact us today for information on how you can get started or learn if gastric sleeve surgery is right for you.
I had this surgery 18 months ago I lost 70pounds and now have gained 15back I eat healthy watch my portions and workout 6days a week with heavy cardio and weights why is my weight going up it’s like I can’t loose it anymore. Can I get the surgery redone
Muscle weighs more than fat. So if you are eating healthy still and exercising you may not see the numbers on the scale go down for a little while as you are building muscle mass.
You’re building muscle.
Contact a dietician. You may not be eating enough calories.
Hello. I had the surgery January 14 of this year. I lost 15 lbs. In not dropping any more weight . I’m eating my 1/4 cup food at each meal. Why am I not dropping weight?
Hey Barbara! I would contact your dietitian regarding this question. They will be able to dive a little deeper into what you are eating, your fluid intake, and provide you with recommendations accordingly :).
This is happening with my wife now she got this sleeve surgery on Jan this year she lost 25 lbs and allthe sudden she us been over a month not losing any thing at all
It seamed like soon she switch from fluid meals to regular food he body stop losing weights
Any recommendations
Jamesimalak@gmail.com
Hey James! I would have your wife contact her dietitian. That way they can fully evaluate her diet and fluid intake. After doing so, the dietitian can make recommendations based on that information.
You will have stalls in your weight loss. Stick to the plan and it will start falling off again.
Hello, I am debating if I should get gastric sleeve surgery, but I’m too scared if I lose too much weight . My height is 5’3 and I weight 190 lbs. 21 y/o
Hi I’m 57 5’1” and was 183 on 11/19/20 I got VSG and now weigh 156. I hope that by the 6 month mark I weigh 144. I would not worry about loosing too much. Your body will adjust. Just eat healthy – lots of protein and veggies. Force yourself not to snack until all your healthy food is in and by then there is little to no room for junk. I ate a half of a cookie and stopped where in the past I would have eaten the whole bag.
I am also in the same situation. Just weighing slightly more than you. I am worried about losing too much weight and going down to like 6 stone!
I’ve met with my surgeon and I’m deciding on the sleeve or the bypass. He said either one would be okay with him. I have about 125lbs of excess weight to lose. I’m ready to change my life. I’ve lost about 60lbs since last year. I’m wondering which procedure will drop the most weight the quickest? Please help.
Good Morning Amy! Both procedures will cause you to drop weight. However, losing to quickly is not a good thing. Many times we have patients add in a few high protein snacks to slow down their weight loss to ensure that they do not lose to much muscle mass or notice a significant decrease in their energy levels. In terms of which surgery is best for you, that would be a great discuss to have with your operating physician.
Good Morning Amy! Both procedures result in about the same weight loss. Neither should cause weight to drop at a quicker in comparison to the other.
I am trying to figure out whether it is better to do the sleeve or gastric bypass. I’m 5”4 / 197 pounds
Good Morning! That would be a great question to discuss with our operating physicians. The first step is to watch the free seminar. Then we will get you in to see the surgeon whom will discuss the pros and cons of each surgery, review your health history, and discuss our process to operation. They will also go over any questions/concerns that you may have at this time.
You can watch the seminar online at https://weightwise.com/seminars/#seminar-tabs
I’m having sleeve surgery March 24th. I’m focused ready to start a new life style. I have friends with great stories.
good luck hun, its the best thing ever. the 1st 90 days are hard. but once u see the weight dropping that will make u go harder. my 1st month i lost 25 pounds
Hi Carm. How did your surgery go? Hope your recovery has been steady and swift. How do you feel now that you are post-op?
hello I had the sleeve done September 8th of 2020 I was at my highest 231.4. i lost 51.4 pounds and i feel great. I’m at 180 trying to reach my goal at 160. i must say trying to pass 180 been hard, i been 180 going on 2 months.
I’ve done great with my sleeve had surgery a month ago and the I’ve lost 40lbs and only eating 1/4 cup of food
Holy cow Christina! That’s awesome!!!
Wow that’s great May 19 21 I will have the sleeve done. I hope I do as good as u are doing.
I am scheduled for gastric sleeve surgery on April 29th and I have to say I am excited and nervous at the same time I’m 5 foot 4 and weigh 245 lb
You are 10lbs less than me! My surgery will not be till the fall as I am just starting the process. I keep flip flopping on my decision to have it done 😀 Good luck to you!
You’ll get there, everyone. I had the sleeve in November of 2017. My highest weight at 5’3” was 265 (about 47 BMI). I was 199 pounds day of surgery after a lower carb diet plan helped me lose weight while I jumped through insurance hoops. I am now 124 pounds with a normal BMI of 22. My initial goal weight was 145. I met that and had skin removal surgery, including a breast lift, arms, and a tummy tuck. I have lost 20+ pounds since, so my belly skin is looser again and my boobs are much smaller than I planned. Moral of the story: You can be so successful with weight loss surgery!!! Try to stick to the pre-surgery diet to get into good habits and lose as much as you can before surgery. You’re statistically more likely to be successful if you do so. Finally, if you plan to have skin removal, don’t do it until you are certain you’re at the weight you intend to maintain.
Hello 😊 I am a 42 y/o Woman standing at 5″5′ and 235lbs. I’ve been debating for sometime if i should get surgery done and i must say reading everyone’s stories have been very encouraging. Looking forward to my appointment next week.
Keep up the great work and continue sharing!