Weight Loss
Weight loss after surgery can be very dramatic. The fastest rate of weight loss will happen during the first 3 months after surgery. After the Duodenal Switch patients can expect to lose 0.5 to 1 lb. per day or 40 to 90 lbs. by 3 months post-op. [51] Rapid weight loss decreases by 6 to 9 months after the procedure and peak weight loss is achieved at 12 to 18 months post-op.
For some, getting rid of weight daily becomes an obsession after surgery. The weight may fluctuate up or down on a daily basis. Moreover, the weight loss may not be constant and regular. Do not be alarmed with the small weight gains or lack of weight loss over a short period of time. The best advice is to get weighed 1-2 times a month at the follow-up with a doctor.
If a patient is a member of any surgery support forums they will probably be comparing their weight loss with others. IT is important not to compare weight loss rates among other patients. There are a wide number of variables that may not be known, all of which are factors specific to a patients weight loss rate. As we said above, in the first 3 months a patient can lose anywhere between 40 to 90 lbs. That is a very big range..
It’s not POUNDS, it’s PERCENTAGES!
By Carolyn M.
Two people, both 6 months post-op. One has lost only 63 pounds and feels bad about her “slow” weight loss. The other has lost 96 pounds and thinks she’s doing great.
They are both wrong.
Person A had only 105 excess pounds, so she has already lost 60% of her excess weight. She is actually ahead of the game at 6 months out and is on track to lose it ALL.
Person B had 265 excess pounds. At 6 months out she has only lost 36% of her excess weight. At this rate, she will end up retaining 28% of her excess weight, enough to keep her in the obese category.
What this means is that the percent excess weight loss is a much more critical number than that absolute number of pounds lost.
Percent of excess weight lost: pounds lost divided by total excess pounds.
Use a BMI of 30 as a goal weight.
Please note: These are averages. A patient’s individual weight loss will be different.
Weight Loss Goals for the Super Morbidly Obese
By Amanda L. – DS
Pediatric Endocrinologist
For some of the super morbidly obese (BMI 50+) the goal of 100% of estimated weight loss cannot be achieved without the plastic-reconstructive surgery.
My plastic surgeon prefers people to be at 90% of estimated loss before extensive lower bodywork. Not only that but she required you to be at a stable weight for 6-9 months.