Weight-Loss Results after Surgery

If you are considering weight-loss surgery, you are likely wondering ?How much weight could I lose?and how fast?? Your surgeon can help you set expectations based on your medical history and procedure type. Here are some general findings:

• Rapid weight loss in early months. For most individuals, weight loss is fairly rapid in the first 3 to 6 months post-surgery, and the greatest weight loss occurs in the first 3 months.
• Greater weight loss with bypass vs. band. By 12 to 18 months, patients who had gastric bypass lose an average of 65% to 80% of their excess weight. Those who had gastric band surgery lose an average of 41% to 54%.
• Most of weight loss maintained long term. Most patients keep off at least half of their excess weight over 5 to 15 years. And even when they do regain some weight, they usually are at a healthier weight long after surgery than they were before surgery.
• Ways to enhance success. While surgery gets you off to a strong start, there are other factors within your control that can increase the amount of weight you lose:
  • Physical activity. Patients who exercise 3 or more times a week for 30 minutes or longer lose an additional 12% of their excess weight compared to those who do not exercise as much.
  • Bariatric support groups. Research shows that weight-loss surgery patients who attend support groups lose more weight than patients who do not participate in groups.
  • Healthy eating habits. Following basic guidelines?such as eating small meals and stopping when you feel full?make a difference in both shorter- and longer-term weight loss.

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This information has been provided by Bariatrics4Diabetes and Covidien. To learn more about weight-loss surgery for type 2 diabetes, visit Bariatrics4Diabetes.com.