Total weight loss vs Excess weight loss
Total weight loss – for example, if you are 100kg and you lose 30kg, you have lost 30% of your total body weight. Your total weight loss is 30%.
Excess weight loss – for example, again if you are 100kg and your ideal weight is 70kg, then you are 30kg overweight. In this case if you lose 20kg, then you have lost 66% of your excess weight.
This can be confusing, because even though in the first case your total weight loss is HIGHER, the percentage appears LOWER.
You may find that different practices, surgeons or resources differ in the way they present weight loss following bariatric surgery. It’s important to understand what the percentages mean, as we can easily be tricked by numbers.
Today we are referring to total weight loss, as we find this less confusing than using the excess weight loss equation, although we also refer to both within our own resources at the UGIRS practice.
The procedure is an important variable that will contribute to the total weight loss a patient can achieve after weight loss surgery.
How much weight can I lose after gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery also referred to as sleeve gastrectomy. If patients follow Our Bariatric Program they can expect to lose on average approximately 30% of their total body weight within the first year, (with the average excess weight loss being 60% in the first two years).
How much weight can I lose after Lap band surgery?
With Lap band surgery also referred to as gastric band surgery, if patients follow Our Bariatric Program they can expect to lose on average approximately 15% of their total body weight within the first year (around 40% excess weight loss).
Bariatric surgery – where your journey begins
Losing 30% of your total body weight might sound like the solution to your problems. Weight loss surgery, particularly Lap band procedures, are often portrayed as ‘easy’ or ‘quick fix’ ways to lose weight. But in reality, obesity is a lifelong and life-threatening condition and there is no ‘quick fix’. Bariatric surgery is where your weight loss journey begins, but it certainly is not where it ends.
Immediately following surgery you may lose a lot of weight quickly as a result of strict limitations on what types of foods you can consume during the recovery period. But for our patients to achieve the best possible weight loss results in the weeks, months and years to come, and maintain that new healthy weight, a complete commitment to lifestyle change is required.
The patients that will see the most weight loss and the best results following bariatric surgery are those that commit to recommended dietary changes, implementing practices such as mindful eating, and increasing activity levels.
We provide all of our weight loss surgery patients with a comprehensive Bariatric Program, that includes regular meetings with our Dietitian Lisa and Health Coach Meredith, to ensure that they are given the ongoing support that they need to make long-lasting, impactful changes to their lives.
