For individuals grappling with morbid obesity, bariatric surgery, including procedures like gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, offers effective weight loss solutions. These surgeries address excess weight, improve health issues and overall quality of life, and increase life expectancy, serving as a turning point for patients seeking to overcome obesity and unhealthy eating habits.
Predicting Weight Loss: The Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Timeline
A common question among individuals considering bariatric surgery is, "How much weight will I lose?" This article explores various aspects of the bariatric surgery weight loss timeline, presenting a calculator to help predict expected weight loss for popular bariatric procedures.
Factors Influencing Weight Loss
Weight loss after metabolic/bariatric surgery is influenced by many clinical variables, including initial body mass index, age, gender, ethnicity, and type of surgery. A well-validated chronological weight loss prediction model would enable patient-centered counseling and goal setting.
General Considerations for Weight Loss
Patients generally experience significant weight loss within the first few years following surgery. However, achieving effective and long-term weight reduction depends on:
- The type of weight loss surgery performed
- The patient's commitment to lifestyle changes
Additional factors influencing weight reduction include the surgeon's technique, the patient's age, genetics, gender, starting weight, and the presence of diabetes or hypertension. Lifestyle changes, mental preparation, dietary habits, fitness, and support group involvement can further contribute to successful weight loss.
Read also: Diet Before Bariatric Surgery
Average Weight Loss Statistics
After bariatric surgery, patients can anticipate steady weight loss over time. However, different types of bariatric surgery yield varying results. Weight loss charts are based on averages, so individual weight loss may differ from projected values.
In the initial 60 to 90 days post-surgery, patients tend to lose 1 to 2 pounds per day. For surgeries like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch, weight loss increases to approximately 2 to 3 pounds per week between 90 and 180 days. Within the first year, many patients lose 50-70% of their excess body weight or 15-30% of their total body weight.
Bariatric Surgery Options and Weight Loss Timelines
Several long-term weight loss surgery options are available for individuals seeking to improve their health.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)
During a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve), 80-85% of the patient’s stomach is removed, leaving behind a long, narrow, vertical pouch that can hold about 2-3 oz of food. This minimally invasive procedure, without intestinal bypass, is a dominant bariatric surgery in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Weight Loss Expectations
By restricting stomach capacity, increasing sensitivity to satiety hormones, and lowering hunger hormone production, gastric sleeve patients can expect to lose nearly as much weight as gastric bypass patients while maintaining a more "normal" diet post-operatively.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
- At 12 months post-surgery, patients can lose 23.4% of their baseline weight or 63% of their excess weight.
- At 3 years, patients can expect to lose at least 50% of their excess weight.
- More than 4 years after surgery, patients typically lose 17.8% of their total body weight or 43.0% of their excess weight.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
In a Gastric Bypass or Roux-en-Y Surgery, 90% of the stomach is separated, leaving behind a tiny walnut-sized pouch that bypasses a large portion of the small bowel. The remaining part of the stomach stays in place to build digestive fluids which then reconnects with the bypassed portion of the new stomach pouch.
Weight Loss Expectations
By combining restriction and malabsorption, the Roux-en-Y surgery produces sustainable weight loss that lasts longer than the sleeve gastrectomy. Weight loss results from reduced food consumption and calorie absorption. The rate of weight loss is fast and effective in halting obesity-related comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- In less than a year, gastric bypass patients can lose 60 to 80% of their excess weight on average.
- After 3 to 5 years, RNY patients have reported 30% of their total body weight reduced.
- At 10 years, patients maintain a consistent loss of 28.6% of their total body weight.
Mini Gastric Bypass
The Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) shares similar techniques with the traditional gastric bypass but has only one anastomosis or "connection." This involves pulling a further down portion of the intestines upward to merge with the new stomach pouch. The lower intestines are cut and switched with the upper portion to speed up digestion and reduce caloric intake substantially.
Weight Loss Expectations: Combining aspects from the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
Duodenal Switch (DS)
The Duodenal Switch (DS) combines aspects of the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass and is designed for patients who need aggressive weight loss and have exceptionally high BMIs of over 45. While the average weight loss timeline after the duodenal switch has stronger and faster results, it is important to follow strict vitamin and diet guides to avoid not losing enough weight.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
- Within the first year, 84% of DS patients lose at least 50% of their excess body weight and up to 80%+.
- Over 2 years, patients usually lose 60% to 80% of their excess body weight.
- 84.2% of these patients maintain this weight loss 3 years after the surgery.
Adjustable Gastric Band (LAP-BAND)
The Gastric Band or Lap-Band is an adjustable silicone ring that creates a small (1-2 ounce or 15-30cc) pouch at the top of the stomach. This temporarily blocks food, slowing down the digestive process and making the patient feel full faster. Based on the patient, the pouch is tightened or loosened for maximum weight loss success.
Weight Loss Expectations
While it moderately restricts the patient’s food consumption, the lap-band weight loss results are almost half as effective as other procedures. There are very few benefits that the lap band offers compared to other surgeries, but it is less invasive and somewhat reversible.
- After the 1st year, gastric band patients are expected to lose 20% to 60% of excess body weight
- By the 5th year after the surgery, 46% of excess weight loss
- 10 years after surgery, patients maintain 65% of excess weight loss
Gastric Balloon
If a bariatric patient wants to avoid an invasive procedure or needs to lose weight extensively before another surgery, they can opt for a non-surgical Intragastric Balloon. The gastric balloon weight loss system is inserted through the esophagus into the stomach, making it uncomfortable to overeat. Based on the gastric balloon system, such as Spatz and Orbera, it is then deflated and removed endoscopically after 6 to 12 months.
Weight Loss Expectations
While the balloon can have positive side effects, it sheds fewer pounds compared to nearly all other procedures and unfortunately, patients can easily go back to bad habits afterward. Unless the patient is satisfied with their weight loss, we recommend revising to vertical sleeve gastrectomy or RNY gastric bypass surgery.
- Within 6 months, 30-47% excess weight loss is expected with Orbera when it is removed
- By 6 months with Spatz, 26.4% excess weight loss
- After 12 months, 48.8% excess weight loss with Spatz when it is removed
Lifestyle Adjustments for Successful Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery necessitates lifestyle changes for effective and long-lasting weight loss. The most significant adjustments involve new dietary and medical arrangements. For the first three months, patients transition from a liquids-only diet to solid foods while readjusting to their new, lower appetites and food consumption. Patients also take vitamin supplements and avoid certain medications based on their needs and doctor’s orders. While vomiting and constipation can be common, it is essential to eat the recommended levels of food and stay properly hydrated. Patients should notify their specialists of any infected incisions and persistent vomiting.
Utilizing a Weight Loss Calculator
A bariatric surgery weight loss calculator can provide estimates based on factors like height, weight, and the type of procedure, offering:
- Estimated Weight Loss: An estimate of expected weight loss after the procedure.
- Procedure Comparison: The ability to compare different procedures and their likely weight loss outcomes.
- Motivation: Seeing the potential for weight loss can motivate patients to embark on the journey.
Calculator Instructions
- Choose your gender
- Indicate your current height
- Share your current weight
- Identify the procedure you wish to undergo
The left graph will show some yellow and some green. EBW = Expected Body Weight and IBW = Ideal Body Weight. The yellow shows how many pounds you would need to lose to hit your ideal body weight. The right graph will show your expected weight loss after 12-18 months. You will likely not have hit your ideal body weight in that amount of time.
Example: For a woman who is 5’7, 230 lbs and is going to be going through Gastric Bypass Surgery. Your expected weight loss in order to hit your ideal weight (135 lbs) would be 95 lbs.
Eligibility Criteria for Bariatric Surgery
The eligibility criteria for surgical management of obesity include:
- Body Mass Index 30+
- Physical problems that result from excess weight with adverse effects on day-to-day activities
- Failure of other non-surgical treatment modalities with the risk of obesity-associated morbidity and mortality
After confirming eligibility, the next step is to determine the best bariatric medicine with your healthcare provider. Unique BMI, body fat, and health conditions may favor one bariatric surgery over another.
tags: #bariatric #surgery #weight #loss #calculator