If you’re considering or have recently undergone bariatric surgery, you’re looking for significant weight loss results. While the surgery can be incredibly effective, it’s important to remember that it’s only one part of a long-term weight loss plan.
This post will discuss how much weight you can expect to lose from your procedure and provide ways to maximize your weight loss results.
How Much Weight Can I Lose With Gastric Bypass or Gastric Sleeve?
Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries have been shown to produce significant weight loss results. The weight you can expect to lose will depend on several factors, including your starting weight, age, gender, chosen procedure, and overall health.
Mini Gastric Bypass
Mini gastric bypass surgery involves creating a small pouch in the stomach and rerouting the small intestine to connect to the pouch. This procedure has been shown to produce significant weight loss results, with patients losing up to 75% of their excess body weight—most of it within the first year. In comparison, most people taking popular weight loss drugs such as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, or Mounjaro® lose less than 22% of their weight.
Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery removes a portion of the stomach, leaving behind a small sleeve or tube of the stomach. This procedure has also been shown to produce significant weight loss results for patients, with the average person losing up to 70% of their excess body weight, primarily in the first year following surgery. (Gastric sleeve surgery is now also performed at OPMEDIC in Laval, QC.)
Now that you know more about the available procedures and the amount of weight loss patients typically experience, let’s look at ways to get the most from your results.
How To Maximize Your Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery is an excellent tool to help you lose weight, but your post-surgical activities will influence your results. Here are a few steps you can take to make the most of your weight loss efforts after bariatric surgery:
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
Your surgeon will provide specific instructions to follow before and after your surgery. Following these instructions carefully will help you optimize your weight loss results and reduce your risk of complications.
Make Healthy Dietary Choices
Bariatric surgery will restrict the amount of food you can consume, so choosing nutrient-dense foods that give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs is crucial. Make sure to eat protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, fish, and eggs, to help your body heal and maintain muscle mass. Limit high-calorie, high-sugar, and high-fat foods, which can sabotage your weight loss goals.
Incorporate Exercise Into Your Daily Routine
While exercise may be challenging at first, it’s essential for maintaining weight loss results after bariatric surgery. Even light exercise, such as walking, can help burn calories and improve overall health. Aim to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s just a few minutes of walking or stretching each day.
Stay Hydrated
Because it helps your body heal and flushes out toxins, you’ll need to pay attention to hydration after bariatric surgery. Sip water frequently throughout the day and cut out sugary drinks, which can add unnecessary calories to your diet.
Attend Regular Follow-Up Appointments
After bariatric surgery, you’ll need to attend regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon and the aftercare program team to monitor your progress and keep you on track to meet your weight loss goals.
Seek Support From Friends and Family
Support from friends and family can help you navigate the ups and downs that go with having surgery and losing weight. Consider joining a support group or finding a friend or family member to support you through your weight loss journey.
Be Patient
While bariatric surgery can provide significant weight loss results, it’s important to be patient and realistic about your goals. Although you can expect to see significant results within the first year, the results will be gradual. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be necessary to achieve and maintain the best possible outcome from your procedure.
If you’re interested in speaking with a SmartShape team member about bariatric surgery, call our office today at (888) 278-7952 or request a consultation. Browse our patient stories to see the results previous patients have achieved.