Surgical Treatment of Obesity

What Are the Results?

The procedures are effective in reducing a patient's weight and in maintaining that weight loss. Overall, morbidly obese individuals can expect to lose approximately 70-80 percent of their excess body weight, that is, the difference in weight between what their actual weight is and what they should weigh. This weight loss occurs during the first 12 to 18 months. It is maintained, in most patients, for at least 6 years and hopefully for a lifetime.

As time goes on after the operation, the stomach pouch, which was made to be 1 ounce initially, will increase slightly in size. As a result, even though a person can initially eat only small quantities of puréed and baby foods, he or she will eventually be able to eat a whole sandwich at one sitting.

If an individual overeats at any one sitting, he or she will vomit. However, this will make the pouch stretch out faster and become bigger. Eventually the pouch can get so big that an individual will not lose weight, and may even gain weight. In addition, an individual can overeat after the operation by simply eating foods that are high in calories, especially high calorie liquids such as soda, ice cream and chocolate, which move easily through the stomach. Following a strict diet after surgery is crucial to the operation's success.

Can I gain weight after this operation? >>

Back | Obesity