Weight Loss Timeline After Bariatric Surgery: What You Should Know

Excess weight can impact a person’s life in numerous ways. People classified as medically or morbidly obese will likely experience physical limitations and weight-related health problems. Unfortunately, the more a person weighs, the more difficult it is to lose weight.

Bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach and can alter the digestive tract to make weight loss possible. Individuals considering treatment at the Texas Center for Bariatric & Advanced Surgery in Plano, TX, often wonder how much weight they can lose. Here we discuss the typical weight loss timeline after bariatric surgery and what patients should know about surgical results. 

Weight Loss Three Months After Surgery

There are several bariatric surgery techniques. While each procedure differs slightly, all decrease the stomach’s size to limit its capacity and reduce appetite. Many also alter the digestive tract to reduce the amount of calories the body can absorb. As a result, bariatric surgery patients achieve fast and effective weight loss results. Within the first three months after surgery, patients can expect to lose one to two pounds per day. On average, patients lose around 33 percent of their excess weight during the first three months post-surgery.

Weight Loss Three to Six Months After Surgery

Beyond the first three months of bariatric surgery recovery, our Plano patients can expect continued weight loss success. Most patients lose around two to three pounds per week between the third and sixth month after treatment. Six months after surgery, it is typical for patients to have shed around half of their excess weight.

Weight Loss Six to 12 Months After Surgery

Six months after bariatric surgery, weight loss tends to slow down. However, patients can still expect consistent weight loss results. Within a year after treatment, most patients lose 50 to 60 percent of their excess weight or 15 to 30 percent of their pre-surgery weight. 

Weight Loss 12 to 18 Months After Surgery

Some patients achieve their goal weight a year after surgery, but others continue to gradually lose weight until they are within their ideal weight range. It is not unusual for weight loss to continue 12 to 18 months after a bariatric procedure. By 18 months post-surgery, patients may lose up to 70 to 90 percent of their excess weight.

Factors That Affect Weight Loss Results

Our Plano patients should know that the presented weight loss timeline is based on typical bariatric surgery results. Each patient’s weight loss journey may vary slightly since several factors can affect weight loss results. Some factors that have the most significant impact on weight loss after bariatric surgery include:

• The type of weight loss surgery performed
• The patient’s weight before surgery and the amount of weight they have to lose
• The patient’s age
• Genetic factors
• The patient’s commitment to lifestyle changes, including healthy dietary habits and regular fitness

Contact Texas Center for Bariatric & Advanced Surgery

Bariatric surgery promotes substantial and potentially life-saving weight loss. If you would like information about the weight loss surgery techniques offered at the Texas Center for Bariatric & Advanced Surgery and expected weight loss results, send us a message to request a personal consultation.