If you’ve ever thought about having weight loss surgery, you probably started looking into which technique would be ideal for you. Most people are astounded to see such significant weight loss outcomes and the changes in the patients’ appearance when they find and compare before and after photos of gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery patients.
Have you ever compared gastric sleeve surgery before and after photos and wondered how the patient was doing now? Did they manage to maintain their weight loss? After that, did they continue to lose weight? It is completely normal to have these questions, particularly if you are thinking about having gastric sleeve surgery. Let’s take a look at some long-term results and what you can expect from gastric sleeve surgery 10 years later.
How Do You Lose Weight With Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
An example of bariatric surgery is vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), often known as gastric sleeve. Because it aids patients with some of the most difficult weight loss difficulties, gastric sleeve surgery is a useful tool for boosting weight loss.
- Limits Stomach Size And Requires Portion Control
The patient’s stomach is surgically removed to a degree of 70–75 percent. The remainder of the stomach is stitched together to form a considerably smaller “sleeve” that can only hold 5 to 6 ounces of food. - Postpones Stomach Emptying
The sense of being “full” lasts longer because the smaller stomach pouch takes longer to process the food that is consumed. - Calms Cravings For Food
The ghrelin hormone, also known as the “hunger hormone,” is created in the stomach. The amount of ghrelin produced and secreted into the body is decreased when a piece of the stomach is removed. The patient’s appetite is reduced as a result of the hormones that cause hunger being reduced.
Gastric Surgery Offers Mant Immediate And Long- Term Benefits
When utilized appropriately and in conjunction with a balanced low-calorie diet and lots of exercise, gastric sleeve surgery can aid in a large loss of weight in a year. Numerous advantages of gastric sleeve surgery include:
- Achieving a lower BMI (body mass Index);
- Reduction in weight;
- Reduced risk of stroke;
- Reduced risk of several types of cancer;
- Remission of weight-related diseases including type II diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD), cardiovascular Issues, and severe sleep apnea.
The first three months following bariatric surgery see the biggest and fastest weight loss. According to a 2016 study, patients’ BMI levels and comorbidity reductions three months after gastric sleeve surgery are reliable predictors of their long-term outcomes.
Weight Loss Retention After Gastric Sleeve
People who undergo gastric sleeve surgery can drop a lot of weight. Within the first three to six months following surgery, the most significant weight loss occurs rather quickly.
The patient may need to modify their diet or exercise routine for the remainder of the first year because it’s common to reach plateaus and see a slowdown in weight reduction. By the end of the first year, the majority of patients have lost a significant amount of weight, but it will be more challenging to keep the results long-term for 5, or even 10 years after gastric sleeve surgery.
Weight Loss Results Can Fluctuate Year Over Year After Gastric Sleeve
According to a study on gastric sleeve and long-term weight loss, the proportion of extra weight lost decreased with time.
The difference between the patient’s starting weight and target weight is referred to as excess weight. For instance, if a person weighs 250 pounds and needs to weigh 150 pounds in order to get a healthy BMI, then that person has 100 pounds of extra weight. They will have shed 30% of their excess weight if they lose 30 pounds.
Excess Weight Loss Progression In 3 Months To 10 Years After Gastric Sleeve
| Time After LSG | Percentage of EWL* |
|---|---|
| 3 months | 30% |
| 6 months | 40% |
| 1 year | 60% |
| 5 years | 62% |
| 6 years | 54% |
| 7 years | 43% |
| 8-10 years | 55% |
Although every patient may differ, long-term weight swings following weight loss surgery are extremely typical. Researchers say it is advantageous if a patient keeps an EWL of at least 50%.
Weight Regain In The Years Following Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Following VSG surgery, many patients experience dramatic weight loss followed by weight gain. Most weight gain is typically caused by patients who don’t adhere to a healthy lifestyle that includes nutrition and exercise.
Situations of weight increase can also be brought on by other sources. The body’s natural metabolic system adjusts how quickly or slowly our body breaks down meals and accumulates fat without our consent. Our body responds by slowing down our metabolism so we do not starve when we reduce our calorie intake.
Additionally, the gastric sleeve patient’s smaller stomach may eventually expand out, allowing them to progressively consume more and more until they are overeating and start to gain weight. This can be fixed with a non-surgical bariatric operation, which will also encourage future weight loss by restoring the smaller stomach size.
According to studies, 13–30% of individuals who undergo gastric sleeve surgery end up gaining weight again, often even more than they did before the procedure.
Tips For Maintaining Your Weight Loss Results For 10+ Years After Gastric Sleeve
Not everything is within your control when it comes to weight regain but you can take a proactive approach to lower the risk of it occurring.
- permanent changes in lifestyle
Weight maintenance will be most directly impacted by early adoption and dedication to lifestyle adjustments that promote weight loss. - strong system of support
Having assistance and support from others in your close circle can help you stay effective, motivated, and on track with your weight loss goals. - Transparent communication with the office of the bariatric surgeon
Keep the team that your bariatric surgeon leads close by. They support you and wish to assist you in your efforts to lose weight. Set up a meeting with them if you experience weight gain so they can determine the cause and the best way to assist you. It’s possible that the problem you’re having can be fixed without surgery. Even if you know that you have not been following your plan, they will help get you back where you need to be.
Quality Of Life After Gastric Sleeve Surgery 10 Years Later
Numerous long-term quality of life enhancements are available to gastric sleeve patients. Improvements were noted in one study, including:
- Elimination or remission of weight-related illnesses such as type-two diabetes;
- Self-esteem & Self-confidence;
- Mobility & physical activity;
- Social life;
- Sex life;
- The ability to find clothing to fit;
- Decrease in depression.
Another study revealed not just changes in the patient’s interaction with food but also similar results to the one discussed above. Their lives were no longer dominated by food. The enhancements in their physical prowess and energy levels, as well as the better diet required to maintain them, took on greater significance.
Long-term Complications After Gastric Sleeve Surgery 10 Years Later
While the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery may exceed the drawbacks, these kinds of problems must be taken into account when assessing any weight loss procedure. Long-term issues may include:
- Nutrient deficiencies (not as common with gastric sleeve);
- Acid reflux (common side effect);
- Gallstones;
Less common but more serious:
- Leakage;
- Bowel obstruction;
- Hernias.
Maintaining The Positive Impact Of Gastric Sleeve 10 Years Later Or More
We frequently hear about the many advantages of having gastric sleeve surgery, but there is little information available about what happens afterwards. What can be anticipated from a gastric sleeve after ten years?
Patients who have had bariatric surgery, such as a gastric sleeve, will need to put in effort for the rest of their life to preserve their outcomes.
Finding the right balance between these parameters is essential if you want to maintain the effects of your gastric sleeve surgery. Long-term adjustments can occasionally involve modifications to the patient’s friends or social life. Adhering to dietary restrictions, engaging in regular exercise, and taking nutritional supplements are the most important lifelong modifications.
What Will My Diet Look Like 10 Years After Gastric Sleeve?
An continuing diet of healthful foods eaten in the right order is one of your lifestyle adjustments. The phase-4 or stability diet is another name for this plan of eating. Protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake are all adequately covered by this diet.
By adhering to the stabilization diet, you may make sure that your nutritional requirements are covered without putting on weight. Following gastric sleeve, a standard phase-4 diet consists of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
