The main reason for undergoing bariatric surgery is to assist a patient in losing weight and improving their health by reaching and maintaining a healthy body mass index BMI. Patients who choose to have gastric sleeve surgery have most likely tried and failed to lose weight using the traditional diet and exercise. The biggest benefit of having weight loss surgery is that it is a powerful tool to help individuals lose weight and to lose it faster than through traditional methods.
Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Timeline
Statistics indicate that weight loss numbers after gastric sleeve surgery seem to follow a pattern of milestones. These milestones seemed to be more evident at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months.
- The first 3 months showed the most weight loss in the shortest amount of time.
- By the 6-month mark, patients should have reduced their excess weight by 30-40%. After six months, weight loss begins to level out with patients typically losing between 1 and 2 pounds a month from this point on.
- At the 12-month point, patients should be close to their goal weight if they have not reached it already.
- At the 18-month point, weight loss normally transitions to a maintenance phase and plateaus. If more weight loss is desired, then something will need to be added to the patient’s routine to jump-start and facilitate continued weight loss. The patient should be able to maintain this weight if healthy dietary choices, lifestyle choices, and exercise routines are continued.
How Much Weight Can You Lose after a Gastric Sleeve?
Patients who have had gastric sleeve surgery normally lose between 50% and 60% of their excess body weight in 12-18 months. If patients follow their dietary restrictions and exercise programs diligently they may possibly lose more. Each patient’s results can vary depending on their starting BMI, weight-related health issues, age, and other factors. The following chart is a basic example of projected total weight loss following gastric sleeve surgery.
If you are looking into weight loss surgery and considering gastric sleeve, you may be looking for a gastric sleeve weight-loss timeline so you will know what to expect. These figures are averages and results can vary significantly from patient to patient based on starting BMI, weight-related health conditions, and lifestyle choices.
Post-Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Chart (Individual Results May Vary)
| Starting Weight, lbs | Your Weight, lbs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mo | 3 Mos | 6 Mos | 12 Mos | 18 Mos | |
| 200 | 194 | 185 | 168 | 160 | 157 |
| 225 | 217 | 201 | 176 | 165 | 160 |
| 250 | 241 | 218 | 185 | 171 | 166 |
| 275 | 261 | 235 | 193 | 176 | 169 |
| 300 | 283 | 250 | 201 | 185 | 175 |
| 325 | 305 | 265 | 211 | 189 | 179 |
| 350 | 328 | 283 | 218 | 195 | 181 |
| 375 | 350 | 300 | 228 | 201 | 187 |
| 400 | 372 | 319 | 235 | 205 | 189 |
Both gastric sleeve surgery and non-surgical endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty can result in significant weight loss for obese patients. The timeline for weight loss may be slightly different for each procedure but if the patient is diligent in following their diet and exercise plan, they have the potential to reach their weight loss goal and maintain it into the future.
What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Over the past few years, laparoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (LSG) has become the most popular weight loss surgery performed. Gastric sleeve reduces the stomach size by approximately 70 to 80%. A portion of the stomach is surgically removed and the remainder is stapled together in the shape of a small pouch. This allows for only a limited number of calories and nutrients to enter the digestive system.
Gastric sleeve surgery has a high success rate, is less complicated, and has minimal risk factors when compared to gastric bypass surgery. LSG requires a hospital stay of 1-3 days and has an extended recovery time of approximately 4-6 weeks.
After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, the smaller stomach limits the amount of food that the patient can eat. The procedure also removes the portion of the stomach that produces the “hunger-causing” hormone ghrelin so it suppresses the appetite. The smaller stomach empties more slowly so it prolongs the feeling of satiety.
See the below picture of the stomach after gastric sleeve surgery.
What Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a non-surgical procedure that delivers results that are very close to those of gastric sleeve surgery only WITHOUT the surgery.
Like gastric sleeve surgery, ESG makes the stomach smaller so the patient can only consume a very small amount of food in one sitting. The surgical sleeve reduces the stomach by about 80% while the endosleeve reduces it by around 70% but weight loss potential is very similar if utilized correctly.
ESG is an outpatient procedure, does not require any hospital time, has fewer risks than the gastric sleeve, and recovery time is quick so you can get back to your normal routine in no time at all!
Video: All You Need to Know about Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)
All You Need to Know About Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) - Accordion Procedure - Endosleeve
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty or ESG procedure or Accordion Procedure. Dr. Chris explains what it is, how it is done, and what its benefits are.Learn more a...
How Much Weight Do You Lose After Endosleeve?
With ESG, individuals can expect to lose approximately 20-23% of their total body weight in the first 12 months. For example, a patient who currently weighs 250 pounds should lose about 25 pounds in the first 3 months and at the 12-month mark should weigh in the range of 192-200 pounds.
In a study released in April 2019, bariatric patients were observed after both gastric sleeve surgery (LSG) and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). The noteworthy results of the study showed that the LSG patients lost 7% more weight than the patients in the ESG group but there were far fewer complications reported in the ESG group 5.2% vs 16.9% in the LSG group.
How Much Weight Do You Lose in the First Month after Gastric Sleeve?
One of the most motivating things about gastric sleeve surgery is that in the first-month patients see rapid and dramatic weight loss. The first month after gastric sleeve surgery will most likely be the only time you see the pounds coming off that fast. The reason this occurs is due to the dramatic reduction in calories being consumed and utilized by the body in the few weeks before surgery and the next 30 days.
Most patients start a full liquid diet for 2 weeks before the surgery and then a clear liquid diet from 2 days before to a few weeks after the surgery. Gradually, the patient will add soft foods and work up to solids but the first few months are a process.
Patients must be determined to persevere through this time period because although it is the time of the most weight loss, it is also one of the toughest periods. The reward is well worth it because during this first-month patients will normally lose between 10% and 15% of their excess body weight. In addition, patients who suffer from weight-related health issues may be starting to see some relief in those areas.
Video: Gastric Sleeve Patient Testimonial
Patient Testimonial - Brooke Gastric Sleeve
Our patient Brooke talking about her experience with the gastric sleeve procedure.
How Is Excess Body Weight vs Total Body Weight Calculated?
Excess body weight is calculated by first choosing your goal weight which is also sometimes called “ideal weight”. Ideal weight can be found using a BMI calculator which will provide a healthy weight range. Then using your current weight, subtract your “ideal weight” and this determines how much excess weight you need to lose to reach your goal weight.
Example: How to Calculate Ideal and Excess Weight
Patient A, a woman, currently weighs 250 pounds and is 5’4” tall. According to the BMI calculation using her height, her ideal weight is somewhere between 108 and 145. So for the purposes of this example, we will choose a goal weight of 127 which is in the middle.
Her excess weight would be calculated like this: 250 – 127 = 123 showing that this patient is working towards the goal of losing 123 pounds.
Going a step further, most patients lose 10-15% percent of their excess body weight the first-month post gastric sleeve. So by the end of the first post-surgery month, she would have lost between 12 and 18 pounds and would now weigh between 238 and 232 pounds.
Each person is unique and may have different results but statistics show these bariatric sleeves before and after numbers to be a fair representation. Also, studies have shown that the more excess weight an individual is carrying, the more weight they will lose in the first several months.
At IBI Healthcare Institute, we are here to help you determine the best procedure to help you lose weight and live a healthier life. Contact our office today for a personal consultation.
