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One of the most commonly asked questions we receive from patients following weight loss surgery is this: Should I set some sort of weight loss goal before or even right after my procedure? Amidst your journey of researching about surgery types, getting insurance approval, and going through with the procedure of your choice, you might find that you haven’t taken much time to plan for life after surgery. It is common to experience confusion surrounding how much weight is expected to be lost and what can be considered a “healthy weight.”
Generally, we would like to see each of our patients be able to reach and maintain a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 35 in the years following their surgery. This can be a great goal to reach for many of our patients since pre-surgery criteria recommends anyone above this BMI to lose weight. Our patients differ in starting BMI and therefore, the amount of weight loss to be achieved will as well. In order to reach this BMI, a certain amount of excess body weight must be lost by each of our patients.
When creating a weight loss goal, it is first important to understand that weight loss will look different for each individual. The amount of weight that can be lost depends on several factors including starting weight, gender, age, genetic factors, dietary choices following surgery, surgical complications, exercise habits, and more. One other important factor to consider is surgery type. The current research data suggests that these are the expected average weight loss trajectories for various procedures:
- Duodenal Switch/Traditional (BPD-DS): 80-90% of excess weight loss
- Duodenal Switch/Sadi (SADI-S): 80-90% of excess weight loss
- Gastric Bypass Rou-en-Y (GBP): 70-75% of excess weight loss
- Gastric Sleeve (SLEEVE): 60-70% of excess weight loss
Another important aspect of both setting and reaching any weight loss goal is to strive for healthy dietary patterns and lifestyle choices following your surgery. This can make a different in your ability to lose additional weight and keep it off in the long term. If you can stick to the common recommendations of 70% protein and 30% vegetables, and strive to move 30 minutes each day, then you can expect to see more promising results than those who do not. Overall, it is important to realize that your weight loss goal and results based on that goal will be different than others. If you choose to set a weight loss goal, we will continue to support you in any effort we can!
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www.RMAP.com
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians
801-268-3800
1521 East 3900 South, Suite 100
SLC, UT 84124