Keeping The Weight Off: Long-Term Success After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Sydney

Gastric sleeve surgery is by far the most common weight loss surgery. It's effective, simple, and has high success rates. Sometimes, however, patients end up regaining the weight they lost after the surgery. If you're keen to avoid this possibility, you've come to the right guide. But before getting into the nitty-gritty, what's a gastric sleeve surgery?

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy, is a type of weight loss procedure that reduces your stomach size by about 80%. It leaves behind a smaller tube-shaped pouch that limits food intake and reduces hunger hormone production.

The point of this surgical procedure is to help you lose excess weight by restricting the amount of food you consume and altering gut hormones that influence appetite. If you're curious about how this obesity surgery works, look into the resources available to you to learn more.

Whether you've already undergone the surgery or are exploring the possibilities, the right resources, coupled with medical advice from bariatric surgeons, will help you make the right decision and reach your weight loss goals.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Weight Loss

According to studies, the average weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery is between 30% and 80% within two years. However, if you dig a little deeper, you'll discover that about 26.3–76% of patients regain their lost weight 6 years post-surgery. [1] [2]

These numbers show that these bariatric procedures help you get to your healthy weight. However, if your behavioral and lifestyle changes don't reflect the new reality, there's a valid chance that you could regain a lot of the weight you lost. So, how do you not just lose weight but also keep it away? Here are a few best practices:

Adopting a Balanced Diet

You have a smaller stomach. Naturally, you're supposed to eat less, as overeating can stretch the stomach pouch and reduce the effectiveness of the surgery.

For starters, focus on high-protein foods, such as chicken, fish, tofu, etc. These are good for muscle mass and may keep you full for a while. You should also eat fiber-rich foods, such as veggies, fruits, and whole grains, to help with digestion and reduce the odds of constipation.

Stay away from sugary and processed food as much as possible. While a little may not be too harmful, these are the biggest culprits for weight gain.

Staying Hydrated

Even without bariatric surgery in the picture, staying hydrated comes highly recommended. Now, this surgery leaves you with a smaller stomach. This means you can't consume a lot of fluid at once and may be at risk of dehydration.

Aim for 6-8 glasses over the day, depending on your comfort levels. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that it may not be a good idea to take water with meals, as this could lead to discomfort and affect proper digestion. Also, go slow on carbonated beverages and alcohol. They are significant causes of bloating and weight gain.

Regular Physical Activity

Physical activity and weight loss go hand in hand. You should begin as soon as you're out of surgery. Between the first week and the first month, focus on short, slow walks and gradually increase duration and pace. Gentle stretching can also help with flexibility and prevent muscle stiffness during recovery.

Between weeks four and 12, you can do some low-impact cardio. This could be swimming, cycling, or using an elliptical machine. These exercises can be effective and, at the same time, easy on the joints.

Light strength training could also help. Think wall push-ups, squats, and resistance band workouts. This is not the time for heavy weights. After 12 weeks, though, you're welcome to try them out gradually. Pair this with moderate aerobic exercises. Studies show that only about 30 minutes a week can help shed 0.52 kgs. [3]

Keep an Eye on Your Progress

Take your weight and measurements regularly. This is a surefire way to know whether the sleeve gastrectomy surgery is working. You'll also notice any trends or patterns that could point to weight regain.

Far from what is within your grasp, there are follow-up appointments with your bariatric surgeon or dietitian. Perhaps it's weight and health assessments where your doctor tracks your weight loss and vitals, or maybe dietary guidance and adjustments.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

To keep the weight you've lost, it's important that you steer clear of pitfalls that trip many others like you. One of them is 'grazing'. Now that your stomach is tinier, you can't eat too much, right? Other people substitute large meals with small but frequent ones. That's counterintuitive and a good way to regain your lost weight.

Closing Thoughts

A gastric sleeve surgery in Sydney can be a great way to kick off your weight loss journey. However, it's not a solution enough in and of itself. You've still got your work cut out for you. This guide has introduced lifestyle changes to help you keep the weight off. If you need clarity, it's best to talk to your doctor. They can advise you on the best way forward based on your situation.

References

1. "Bariatric Surgery", Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/bariatric-surgery

2. "Post metabolic bariatric surgery weight regain: the importance of GLP-1 levels", Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-024-01461-2

3. "Aerobic Exercise and Weight Loss in Adults", Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2828487