Gastric Bypass Surgery - Weight Loss Results

Gastric bypass surgery can help you lose a significant amount of weight in a relatively short time. Before surgery, your surgeon will discuss the amount of weight you can expect to lose and the average results achieved by other gastric bypass patients. Although averages are useful in predicting expected weight loss, the overall success of gastric bypass surgery will vary from person to person. The amount of weight loss is affected by the specific procedure, a patient's age, weight prior to surgery, health, exercise, and diet.

Amount of Weight Loss

Following gastric bypass surgery, weight loss occurs rapidly within the first six months. A person usually settles at a final weight about 18 to 24 months after surgery. During this time, the average weight loss surgery patient can expect to lose 50% to 60% of his or her excess weight. Studies have shown that it is possible to lose up to 80% of excess body weight. Although most gastric bypass patients do gain some weight back after the initial weight loss, if you continue to follow the dietary and exercise guidelines, it is possible to keep most of the weight off long term.

Successful Weight Loss

Gastric bypass surgery is successful most of the time. For the times surgery doesn't bring the expected weight loss results, the primary reason is failure to follow dietary guidelines and lack of daily exercise. It is important to understand that gastric bypass surgery is only a tool to help you lose weight. If you want to lose the weight, you have to be committed to the weight loss program and follow your doctor's recommendations for diet and exercise.

Improved Health and Well Being

Not only will gastric bypass surgery help you lose a significant amount of weight, but it can improve or resolve many health conditions associated with obesity, including: diabetes type 2, hypertension (high blood pressure), high blood cholesterol, heart disease, severe sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can also decrease the risk of dying from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It can also improve leg swelling, joint pain, and low back pain.

Significant weight loss will also have a tremendous impact on a person's quality of life. As patients lose weight, their mobility increases and they are able to lead a more active lifestyle. This may include participating in social activities and recreational opportunities with family and friends that were not possible before. Many patients are able to return to work and become more productive in their professional pursuits.

Weight Loss Failure

Patients who don't lose weight or who regain weight after surgery, should talk to their doctor. Your doctor will take a look at your eating behaviors and exercise habits and help you get back on track for weight loss. Most people who don't lose the weight as expected, are usually guilty of consuming too many high-calorie foods and beverages, grazing (eating food all day long), and not exercising enough. Weight loss surgery will help you lose weight, but only if you are willing to adopt lifelong healthy eating and exercise behaviors.

Healthy Habits for Successful Weight Management

Eat three healthy meals a day, and at most one planned healthy snack
Limit unplanned snacking and grazing-type eating patterns
Avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods which add calories but no nutrients or satiety
Exercise daily
Take your recommended vitamin and mineral supplements
Attend a support group for weight loss surgery patients
Go to regular follow-up appointments with your doctor and dietician to review your weight loss progress and testing for vitamin or mineral deficiencies

If you adopt these healthy habits, you will be successful in your weight loss attempts after gastric bypass surgery. As you start a new life, don't try to go it alone. Patients who have a good emotional support team are more likely to succeed. Rely on your doctor, dietician, exercise trainer, weight loss surgery support group, and supportive family members and friends to keep you on track and motivated in your new healthy lifestyle.

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