Although weight loss after bariatric surgery is guaranteed, it is difficult to know exactly how much weight loss you will achieve.
In this blog, we explain how much weight loss you might expect after your weight loss surgery at Brisbane Obesity Clinic.
Research and statistics show that you can expect to lose an average of between 60-80% of excess body weight at approximately 12 months post-op.
This is an average, so some patients may lose less or more, depending on whether they follow the advice provided by their dietitian.
The 3 Phases of Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss
Phase 1 / Early phase / First 6 months
Research shows that weight loss may approach 50-60% of excess weight loss (EWL) during Phase 1.
The rate of weight loss will depend on gender, age, exercise levels, comorbidities, and quality of food intake.
Phase 2 / 6 – 36 months
Patients may expect to lose 70-80% of EWL by 12 months post-op, with weight stalls interspersed during this period.
Studies have also shown that after 12-18 months, weight loss stabilises as the stomach begins to adapt and the appetite for more food kicks in.
Phase 3 / Late phase / >36 months
Lasting weight loss results are directly linked to the quality of food and fluids consumed, as well as physical activity levels.
How Do you Calculate Excess Body Weight
Excess body weight is defined as your current weight minus your “ideal weight “
Ideal weight refers to body weight at a healthy BMI of 24.9kg/m2
For example, Mr X weighs 160kg and is 1.7m tall
| To calculate one’s BMI: BMI = weight (kg) / height2 (m) |
Mr X’s current BMI = 160 / (1.7)2 = 55 kg/m2
At BMI of 24.9kg/m2, Mr X’s body weight will be 75kg
Thus Mr X’s excess body weight = 160kg – 75kg = 85kg
Inadequate Weight Loss / Weight Gain
This can happen for a few reasons:
- Maladaptive eating, such as constant grazing rather than having set meals and snacks
- Consuming calorie dense foods and/or fluids
- Emotional eating
- Inadequate exercise
- Stomach dilation
Weight Loss Surgery Brisbane: The Bottom Line
Weight loss surgery is not a set and forget operation.
Use the surgery as a helpful tool to recognise the body’s natural signals of hunger, satisfaction and fullness.
Although the surgery helps by significantly reducing the volume of food or fluid your stomach can hold at any single time, what you consume will affect how hungry / full you feel, how much energy you have and how much nutrition you are getting.
It can also be used to help change your relationship with food. For some people, the lack of desire to eat and the absence of hunger can be liberating.
If you’re considering weight loss surgery in Brisbane, you can contact our team today on (07) 3871 2277.
Want to know if you’re a candidate? Click here to read about eligibility for weight loss surgery.
