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:

1. 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!
2. 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!
3. 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.