Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery – Weight Loss Surgery Results

Bariatric surgery requires a considerable physical, mental, and financial commitment. Before making the decision to have weight loss surgery, a prospective patient should make sure that the surgery is worth the risks and potential sacrifices.

Factors Affecting Weight Loss Surgery Results

Bariatric surgery results can be affected by the:

• Patient's age - Although older patients can still lose weight, a person's metabolism can slow down as he or she ages.
• Patient's pre-surgery weight - Typically, heavier patients are able to lose more weight.
• Patient's overall health - Healthier patients tend to lose weight more efficiently than patients with additional health concerns.
• Weight loss surgery chosen - In most cases, gastric bypass patients lose weight faster than LAP-BAND® patients.
• Ability of the patient to exercise - If health problems or other extenuating circumstances hinder the patient's exercise program, it will be more difficult to lose weight.
• Self motivation and commitment from patient to follow dietary guidelines and other post-surgical care.
• Support from family and friends.

Weight Loss Surgery Results

 Weight loss surgeries do not have guaranteed results. In fact, some procedures have a one-third to almost one-half long-term weight loss failure rate. Many of these failed surgeries are caused by a patient's lack of behavioral change or any of the other reasons listed above. However, many patients have achieved long-term weight loss and have benefited from overall improvement in health. Typically, gastric bypass patients lose approximately 60 percent of their excess weight and patients who have a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure (LAP-BAND® or REALIZE^TM Band) lose between 40 and 50 percent of their excess weight. In most cases, whichever weight loss surgery a patient chooses, obesity-related health problems dramatically improve after surgery. Because each type of bariatric surgery can produce different results, it is important that potential bariatric surgery candidates speak with their weight loss surgeon before deciding which, if any, surgery is best for them.