Expected weight loss after surgery varies depending upon the surgical procedure, your pre-operative weight and your commitment to following the diet/exercise recommendations after surgery. On an average, people lose approximately 70% of what they were overweight. For example, if you were 100 pounds over your ideal body weight, you would lose an average of 70 pounds – if you were 200 pounds over your ideal body weight, you would lose an average of 140 pounds.
Prior to selecting your surgeon/bariatric center, ask them what the average weight loss is for their clients after surgery. At the Center for Weight Loss Success, the average weight loss after weight loss surgery is 127 pounds. That takes into account weight loss for patients who began with a BMI anywhere between 33 and 50+.
Optimal weight loss results can be attained if you do the following:
- Attend your scheduled surgeon appointments before and after surgery
- Attend monthly support group meetings usually provided through your surgeon’s office
- Strictly follow the diet set forth by your surgeon and if he/she has made nutritional coaching and/or personal training visits available to you through their weight loss surgery program, participate fully and attend these sessions
- Include your support person(s) in your appointments/classes/support group as appropriate so they fully understand what you need to be doing and how to support you for optimal success
- Monitor not only your weight but your full body composition (hopefully a service provided at your weight loss surgeon’s office) as you progress post-operatively. You will want to make sure you are losing fat and not your lean body mass (muscle).
- Be sure to get in enough quality protein (check with your surgeon but usually at least 90 grams per day). This will help with your overall ability to maintain your lean body mass (muscle) which drives your metabolism. It is also important for healing and prevention of potential long term problems such as hair loss.
- Incorporate fitness as soon as your surgeon indicates it is safe for you to do so. Walking is a great beginning routine but you will want to incorporate increased cardio training and resistance training with weights. Your surgeon will likely either provide these services or provide you with an appropriate plan/resource.
- Immediately after surgery your surgeon will likely be most concerned that you are staying hydrated. Water is very important so be sure to sip all day long and in the long run get approximately 64 ounces of water in every day. In addition to proper hydration, you need to make sure you are ingesting appropriate amounts of protein as mentioned earlier.
- Take your vitamins as recommended by your surgeon and make sure they are pharmaceutical grade for optimal quality.
- Whenever you are trying to lose weight, you can improve your rate of success by journaling what you eat and drink. This also helps as you meet with your surgeon and/or the nutritional coach before and after surgery.
- Surround yourself with positive people who support your decision to have weight loss surgery.
Cat Keller has a wealth of experience in marketing, e-marketing, advertising and customer service and manages our Weight Loss Nutritional Store. She is always planning something fun and exciting. special events, discounts, giveaways – it’s never a dull moment. She is happy to help you with questions you may have regarding our products or services. Cat is a graduate of William & Mary, where she studied Government/Pre-Law and minored in Marketing.