How much weight can you lose with bariatric surgery?

Bariatric or weight loss surgery is usually recommended to help individuals lose weight when diet and exercise fail to provide the results they want, or when they begin to experience health complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, infertility, depression, joint problems, and others due to being overweight.

Surgery is almost always a last resort when other non-invasive remedies fail to deliver the results you want. Before taking the step to get rid of your weight surgically, it is expected that have done as much research as possible about bariatric surgery. Generally, not every overweight individual is a good candidate for bariatric surgery. And managing obesity is not simply a matter of changing your appearance and getting rid of the extra weight.

It will also help to improve your overall health and quality of life, enhancing your well-being and possibly adding years to your life.

But how much weight can you expect to shed?

First, the amount of weight loss depends on the type of bariatric surgery you choose and your general health. That said, the weight loss typically ranges from 40 to 80% of your “excess” weight.

So, a 6 foot 2 patient weighing 400 lbs, and whose ideal weight is 195 pounds may wish to shed 205 lbs of excess weight. With the adjustable gastric band, this patient may lose 40-50% of the excess weight (80-102 lbs); 60 – 65% with a gastric sleeve (about 120 lbs); or 75-80%  with a gastric bypass (about 160 lbs).

Keep in mind that the results vary for different patients depending on motivation, how close they follow the doctor’s recommendations, and on-going support. Most of the weight loss occurs during the first few months after surgery and continues for 12-18 months post bariatric surgery.

Final note

Surgical weight loss programs are focused on delivering long-term health and include a number of activities before your surgery, as well as post-operative care, a customized workout routine, nutritional counseling, support groups, and more. All these components are necessary for great success and keeping the extra weight off for life.