Gastric Sleeve Results – What Results Should I Expect After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Results

For gastric sleeve patients, weight loss results come extremely fast and patients can usually reach their Goal Weight (GW) in the first two years. It can be as long as a few days before patients can see results from gastric sleeve surgery.

• 6-month post-op results: 45% excess weight loss
• 1-year post-op results: 65% excess weight loss
• 3-years post-op results: 55% excess weight loss
• 5-years post-op results: 53% excess weight loss

Excess weight is defined as the amount of weight you have over the normal BMI (body mass index) range.

If you want to see how much weight you can expect to lose, check out our gastric sleeve weight loss timeline and chart.

Calculate how much weight you can lose with gastric sleeve surgery here!

Post-Op Variables Impacting Weight Loss Results

Keep in mind the different variables that affect patients after gastric sleeve surgery. In the first year, patients usually lose weight no matter what. In year 2 thru 5 post-operation, adapting to a healthy lifestyle is critical because cravings slowly return and the body adjusts to the sleeve stomach.

After year 5 and on, patients need to surround their environment with a healthy diet, positive nutrition, and physical activity. Every day needs to be a conscious decision to continue a healthy lifestyle. Patients must stay motivated and determined to stay healthy.

Gastric Sleeve Results at Mexico Bariatric Center

Mexico Bariatric Center has done a study of their patients in 2015. The MBC research survey comprised of more than 100 former patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico. Our findings have been charted below:

This survey was collected originally in March 2015, covering all of our bariatric surgeons and their patient’s results. Please visit our page on how much weight you can expect to lose after gastric sleeve surgery for up to date statistics.

Weight loss results will vary and may not be typical; please review our disclaimer.

Health Benefits as a Result of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Obesity is one of the most deadly and costly health problems in the United States. Gastric sleeve surgery is more effective than both diet and exercise while being one of the safest weight loss procedures available today (more than gastric bypass, lap band, and duodenal switch).

Gastric sleeve results include a variety of health benefits depending on the patient’s health.

List of Health Benefits

• Complete remission or improvement in Type 2 Diabetes
• Improved cardiovascular health
• A significant decrease in high blood pressure
• Relief of self-confidence and depression
• Eliminate or improve obstructive sleep apnea
• Relieving joint pain
• Improve fertility and eliminate PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome)

Gastric Sleeve Problems (Risks and Complications)

Although the gastric sleeve is one of the safest procedures for its level of effectiveness, there are some potential problems that may arise. After all, it is a surgical procedure. The risk of death for gastric sleeve surgery is 0.08% within 30 days following surgery.¹ This is dependent on the location of surgery and surgeon experience.

In order to reduce the risks involved, it’s important to follow your doctor, surgeon, and nutritionist recommendations.

It’s important to remember that gastric sleeve surgery is a very serious surgical procedure.

There are some risks and complications that may occur after gastric sleeve surgery. These are dependent on the patient’s adjustment to their new lifestyle and the surgeon’s expertise.

Potential Complications

• Hemorrhage or Bleeding
• Staple line leak
• Abscess
• Stomach Stricture
• GERD or Acid Reflux
• Nutrient Deficiency (requires vitamins)
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Hair Loss (in the first year)
• Constipation
• Blood Clots
• Dumping Syndrome
• Sleeve stretch
• Infection

Gastric Sleeve Scars

Gastric sleeve surgery is the most commonly available weight loss procedure. Surgeons’ experience continues to grow because of the number of patients seeking the Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG). The surgeon’s expertise and the patient’s ability to follow the pre-op diet determines the number of incisions needed to complete the surgery.

In most cases, a highly-qualified surgeon and a patient who follows the liver-shrinking pre-op diet has a better chance of having less than 5 total incisions during surgery.

Gastric sleeve surgery is performed laparoscopically, resulting in 1-5 small incisions on the abdomen. After surgery, these incisions are typically small and in many cases aren’t that noticeable.

Learn About: Laparoscopic Surgery Scars, Incisions, and Healing After Gastric Sleeve

Hair Loss After Gastric Sleeve

Hair loss after gastric sleeve surgery is common within the first year after surgery as the body starts adapting to the smaller stomach. The hair loss is specifically called telogen effluvium which can be caused by reduced food intake creating nutrient deficiencies, especially in protein, iron, and essential fatty acids.

In order to understand hair loss, it’s important to understand hair growth’s two-stage cycle. Almost all of the patient’s hair follicles remain in the first phase, called anagen. The additional 10-15% of hair stays in a “resting phase”, meaning the hair follicles are dormant. During certain times in life (such as stress, depression, nutrient deficiencies) more hair follicles became “resting” or dormant. Hair loss after gastric sleeve is usually noticed more in thinner hair as it sheds.

Hair loss occurs as the body begins adjusting although vitamins and supplements are a great way to prevent hair loss.

How to Avoid Excess Skin After Gastric Sleeve

The biggest hurdle patients face long-term is sagging, excess skin. Losing weight at a rapid pace can impact the amount of loose, sagging skin. Many patients choose to remove this excess skin with a plastic surgery procedure called skin removal. Skin elasticity begins to decrease the more weight gain patients face. It is important to avoid and reduce excess skin as you begin to lose weight.

Ways to Avoid Loose Skin and Tighten the Excess Skin;

• Salt scrubs
• Weight training
• Biceps curl
• Increase muscle mass through exercise and working out
• Improve blood flow
• Skin removal