Gastric Sleeve Expected Weight Loss
How much weight loss can you expect after gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve is a weight loss surgery procedure that helps patients lose a significant amount of weight in a short period. If the post-op diet suggested by the patient’s nutritionist is followed, a patient can expect to lose a significant amount of weight. On top of weight loss, gastric sleeve patients have seen significant improvement or complete remission of specific co-morbidities such as obstructive sleep apnea, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and Type II Disease.
During gastric sleeve surgery, the size of the stomach is reduced significantly and removed permanently. Because this isn’t a reversible procedure, it is vital that patients understand the diet post-op so that no stretching of the stomach occurs, which can lead for the need of a pouch reset or for dumping syndrome symptoms to happen.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve
NOTE: These benefits can promote weight loss.
Reduced hunger feelings: This is because the hunger-inducing hormone, ghrelin, is reduced significantly when the stomach size is reduced.
No re-routing of the intestines occurs, which promotes healthy digestion
Natural weight loss occurs because fewer vitamins and nutrients are required
Weight loss is gradual (more so than other procedures such as gastric bypass), which makes it easier to maintain over time.
Expected Weight Loss Statistics
Countless studies have been performed to show the positive long-term impact of the gastric sleeve on its patients. According to the Obesity Action Coalition, on average people lose about 60% of their excess weight after having gastric sleeve surgery. This includes individuals who have followed all of their post-op guidelines including diet closely. Excess body weight is the difference between your ideal weight and your current weight.
A 2013 Obesity Journal article entitled Survey on laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) at the Fourth International Consensus Summit on Sleeve Gastrectomy claims that weight loss data from 130 surgeons and over 46,000 operations showed an average weight loss of 55-59% at 1-3 years post-op (the most significant numbers a year after surgery and slowly declining as time passes).
Livestrong reports that gastric sleeve patients on average (in a study of 100 patients) lost about 18% of their excess weight in the first month following weight loss surgery. Average weight loss in that group was 50% after six months following surgery and nearly 63% at one-year post-op.
Since weight loss is reported as a percentage, the number of pounds you shed can depend on your starting weight at surgery, your medical history, and your age and gender.
Things to Understand
Keep in mind these are average, and you may lose than the average. Success from gastric sleeve surgery comes from setting proper expectations, living an active life and making the decision to change your habits for good. No single weight loss surgery is a magic bullet but is a starting point for success. You are the key to your success. Following your post-op diet and guidelines closely and exercising regularly will lead to weight loss.
Ultimately as more data surfaces, the success rate of gastric sleeve surgery will be more and more clear. Surgeons will be able to demonstrate success to patients when deciding whether or not it is the right weight loss surgery for them. While there are positives and negatives to the surgery (much like any other), it is important to consider the benefits associated with bariatric surgery when obesity is causing health issues that can be improved upon or completed rid of as a result of the procedure.
