Is It Common to Regain Weight After a Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

When diet and exercise alone just isn’t cutting it, your nurse practitioner or regular doctor might suggest surgery for weight loss. The sleeve gastrectomy, otherwise known as gastric sleeve, is a weight loss procedure proven to increase fat loss. Regaining weight from gastric sleeve surgery can become a significant setback. Let’s learn about how to make your weight loss surgery a success.

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The gastric sleeve is a type of bariatric procedure that promotes significant weight loss. This bariatric procedure is quickly becoming the preferred weight loss surgery worldwide. Does that mean that it is the most successful? 

One of the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery over gastric bypass surgery partially falls on the procedure itself. The former weight loss procedure is less invasive, with a quick recovery time. A skilled surgeon will remove up to 80% of your stomach by utilizing a small incision on your abdomen. 

The gastric sleeve leads to weight loss by reducing the size of your stomach. With a smaller stomach, you will experience a reduction in hunger sensation. You will also only be able to eat small meals comfortably. This leads to portion control and a calorie deficit.

Therefore, you can expect to see results quickly. And, by only shrinking your stomach, there is no need to worry about malabsorption. You can acquire the nutrients you need through diet alone. So, how much weight can you expect to lose with this procedure? That will depend on your specific needs. Let’s take a look.

How Much Weight Can I Lose with a Gastric Sleeve?

Luckily, most people find weight loss success when they opt for gastric sleeve surgery. That means that 80-90% of patients will lose the weight they desire from this procedure. That typically looks like a 60-70% excess fat loss within the first year. 

You might be asking yourself what the long-term success rate will be. How much weight loss can you expect 3, 5, or 10 years after a gastric sleeve? The good news is that studies prove bariatric surgeries are a great long-term solution. However, this does not mean that you cannot experience weight gain, plateaus, or fluctuations.

Gastric sleeve surgery will restrict your dietary limits. You will feel full faster and be compelled to eat less. However, it is possible to stretch and grow your stomach after a sleeve procedure. Close to 30% of patients report weight gain years after their gastric sleeve. There are ways to lower your risk. Find out below.

Tips to Maintain Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

The best way to maintain weight loss after bariatric surgery is to live a healthy lifestyle. Overeating can lead to stomach stretching and cause weight gain. You might not notice that you are stretching your stomach. One or two heavy meals will not cause significant damage. However, if you routinely eat large meals for months at a time, you can expect your stomach to grow larger. Here are some tips to avoid stomach expansion:

• Eat smaller portions - Try to eat on smaller plates and increase protein intake. This will help you feel fuller without increasing your stomach’s volume.
• Chew your meals slowly - Chewing slowly will allow your stomach to send messages to your brain. You will then recognize when you are full. 
• Avoid drinking while eating - Always drink water before your meal. Try to avoid high-calorie beverages, especially during a meal.

While maintaining a smaller stomach is half the battle, it’s also vital to incorporate regular exercise into your lifestyle change. Add strength training and aerobic exercises to reduce weight gain and maximize weight loss.

BASS Medical Group

BASS Medical Group has a team of skilled surgeons experienced with bariatric surgical procedures. They understand that surgeries for weight loss are only a portion of the journey. Visit Bass Medical Group to find the resources you need to be successful. Reach out today and start living the life you deserve.