Not Losing Weight After Gastric Sleeve

One of the common post-procedure concerns a bariatric patient may have is: “Why am I not losing weight after gastric sleeve surgery?” Patients may go through a low phase post-operatively if they had a poor understanding or misplaced expectations about how a weight loss surgery works. 

An experienced bariatric surgeon will educate the patient during the initial consultation to help them make an informed decision. They will discuss how much weight loss after gastric sleeve could be achieved and share data regarding the average monthly weight loss after gastric sleeve.   

Gastric sleeve weight loss can be very substantial in almost every case. But if the patient is unaware about the estimated timeline or fails to follow the post-op instructions of the surgeon, the results could be disappointing.

Not Losing Weight After Gastric Sleeve Surgery? Here's A Quick Fix!

If the patient is worried about achieving little to no weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery, they should discuss the concern with their bariatric surgeon and nutritionist. In the rare case of a gastric sleeve weight loss failure, the surgeon may recommend a revision to gastric bypass surgery. A gastric bypass would involve rerouting of the small intestine to reduce calorie absorption. This could help the patient achieve their weight loss goals more successfully and on a sustainable level.

The biggest myth about not losing weight after gastric sleeve is that a massive weight loss will occur as soon as the surgery gets completed. Patients should understand that gastric sleeve weight loss is different from fat loss (which can occur instantly by way of liposuction).

Gastric sleeve surgery is designed to eliminate excess body weight in a safe and gradual manner, and not instantaneously. Patients should have realistic gastric sleeve weight loss expectations, especially with regard to the weight loss timeline. 

Can The Stomach Grow Back After Having Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve expected weight loss typically begins to occur right after the procedure, but some patients may even report no weight 3 weeks after gastric sleeve. 

As the patient recovers from the surgery, they will start feeling less hungry than before. Gastric sleeve weight loss will become more rapid with the passage of a few weeks and months as the surgery enables the patient to adopt healthier eating habits. 

A reduced urge to eat following the surgery will serve as an effective solution to achieve safe, healthy and sustainable weight loss after gastric sleeve.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Patients who are constantly worried about, “Why am I not losing weight after gastric sleeve, ” or that gastric sleeve is not working should know that gastric sleeve surgery results are directly related to the change in dietary and lifestyle habits. 

Sleeve gastrectomy is aimed at facilitating this process of healthy habits. During the procedure, the bariatric surgeon will remove a portion of the stomach to make it smaller (roughly the size of a banana). 

When the size of the stomach is permanently reduced, it will naturally reduce the patient’s appetite. Their meal portions as well as frequency of meals will reduce. 

Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Timeline, Chart [2020]

Based on this, patients who are concerned about not losing weight after gastric sleeve should understand the permanent healthy changes to their body and how it will help them naturally achieve massive weight loss.     

The expected weight loss after gastric sleeve will be in the range of 65 to 70 percent (of excess weight) within the first year. The average monthly weight loss after gastric sleeve is in the range of 8 to 12 pounds per month. 

Gastric sleeve weight loss expectations in the long-term can vary from one individual to another, depending on their personal commitment to a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. However, on average, the expected weight loss after gastric sleeve in five to ten years is about 50 to 60 percent of the excess weight.

Do You Fear Not Losing Enough Weight After Gastric Sleeve Or Any Other Weight Loss Surgery?

Patients should know that these are only ‘averages’, and on an individual basis, it is possible for a person to achieve far more dramatic results than the average patient. Stemming from this, while it’s necessary to maintain reasonable expectations, a patient should have ambitious gastric sleeve weight loss goals.

Yes, you can gain weight after gastric sleeve under certain conditions. Marginal weight fluctuations, temporary weight regain, and weight loss plateau are normal and expected events during your post-operative weight loss journey. Moreover, if weight regain appears to be progressive and irreversible, you should contact your bariatric surgeon for advice.

Percent of weight gain after gastric sleeve can widely vary between patients. This will depend on the underlying cause as well as the time period after your VSG surgery when the weight regain occurs. Research says that the percentage rate of weight gain in the long-term could vary from 5.7% at two years after surgery to 75.6% at six years.

Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Timeline: Guide To Lose Weight Fast

Bariatric surgeons sometimes receive frantic calls from their patients who want to know: “Why am I gaining weight 3 weeks after gastric sleeve?” In most cases, weight regain at three weeks is not a cause for concern. Chances are you might have shed several pounds rapidly in the first three weeks, and thereafter your metabolic system may be taking a temporary break. But if the weight gain persists beyond a few days, it is important to investigate the underlying cause.

To answer the all-important question of “Why am I not losing weight after gastric sleeve surgery, ” researchers have identified five possible reasons why your weight loss after gastric sleeve may not be up to the expectations. 

It may seem counter-intuitive that eating less than the recommended amount of daily calories after your gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery can actually stall your weight loss. But the scientific fact is that your body needs a certain minimum number of calories every day to produce energy. The reduction of hunger hormones following your weight loss surgery may result in a lack of urge to eat.

What Is A Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

You might feel it is astute if you are consuming even less calories than prescribed, but in reality your body will start starving. To survive, the body will start burning the available fat deposits and muscle. The loss of muscle will make it difficult to lose weight and you may experience a weight loss plateau. Therefore, do not deviate from your surgeon’s recommended post-op diet plan.

It is possible that you are strictly maintaining your recommended calorie intake of 1, 000 to 1, 200 calories a day after your gastric sleeve, but still you are not losing weight. The reason could poor meal planning and lack of a balanced diet. Your diet should include the right amount of lean proteins every day. Proteins will boost your muscle build-up and help you lose weight without losing the vital muscle and fat.

Sometimes you may be eating all the daily carbohydrates in one time, daily protein during the second meal, and veggies and fruit in a third meal. The correct way is to include all the vital nutrients proportionately in every meal in small portions. Consult with your nutritionist about correct meal plans, and follow them diligently. You may also request your nutritionist to provide a few recipes to make it easier to follow your recommended meals.

Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss after gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery may sometimes fail when you stop keeping a track of your daily food intake. In the first few days or weeks after your surgery, you may be highly motivated to maintain your daily diet exactly as advised by your bariatric surgeon. However, with the passage of time, you may start getting lax about keeping a careful record of what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat.

Some people initial lose weight rapidly, and then start taking it easy because they believe they are progressing well. In some other cases, patients simply get tired of monitoring and measuring every meal and every snack break – all 7 days of the week. But the moment you start losing track of what you eat, it gets easy to violate your diet plan. If you continue that way, you may develop poor eating habits once again before you know it.

During your post-surgery gastric sleeve diet, focusing on whole foods and single-ingredient foods day after day, week after week can get tiresome or monotonous after a while. To break this monotony, your dietitian and surgeon would introduce two daily snack breaks between meals. But sometimes, you only look forward to your snack breaks because you relish the comfortable and delicious foods that are part of your snacks.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery: What You Need To Know

You may also sometimes develop the habit of “grazing” between meals. Grazing can disrupt your diet plan, and it won’t get measured or tracked either. Another problem with snacks is that they do not provide satiety, and the urge to eat only keeps growing. Too much of snacking and grazing could quickly result in a weight loss plateau. Even if you skip a main meal and replace it with a snack, it will still obstruct your weight loss journey.

At the time of your nutrition planning after your gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery, your weight loss surgeon will recommend you to drink at least 64 oz. (about 8 full glasses) of water every day. They will also advise you to avoid drinking water or other liquids with your meals as well as 30 minutes before