Bariatric Surgery FAQs

When will I begin losing weight after the surgery?

Since bariatric surgery requires a special diet prior to the procedure, most people lose up to 10 pounds before surgery. Immediately after surgery, you may notice some weight gain due to fluid retention, but you should lose the water weight and a few additional pounds before your follow-up appointment one to two weeks after surgery.

How long will I continue to lose weight?

Weight loss after bariatric surgery varies by the individual. On average, patients lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. Within 12 to 18 months after surgery, many patients lose around 100 pounds. However, this will vary by the individual's adherence to post-surgical recommendations and type of surgery performed. Weight loss tends to slow at the 18-month mark and then stabilizes. The goal after 18 months is to maintain the weight loss using the healthy diet and exercise habits you've worked hard to develop.

How much weight can I expect to lose?

In general, patients lose 50% to 80% of the amount of weight they are over their ideal body weight within 12 to 24 months after surgery. For example, if you're 250 pounds and your ideal body weight is 150 pounds, you can expect to lose between 50 and 80 pounds from weight loss surgery within two years. Weight will fluctuate and plateau during this time, just as with any weight loss program. It's possible to regain the weight you've lost if you don't continue a healthy lifestyle regimen for the long term.

Will I need more surgery later?

Unless you experience complications from your initial bariatric surgery, you shouldn't need any weight loss surgery-related procedures later. However, significant weight loss can result in a good deal of loose skin. Two to three years after your initial surgery, you may opt to undergo body lift surgery, which is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excess skin. It's hard to predict before bariatric surgery who will have an issue with excess skin and who won't.