How Long Weight Loss Surgery (Obesity Surgery) Results Last

After surgery most patients are keen to start losing weight, this may take time.  People lose weight at different rates depending on the amount of weight you have to lose, rate of your metabolism, how much exercise you do and diet prior to surgery.

It is important to keep up with your medication and being aware of those over the counter medications you should avoid such as aspirin.  Your doctor will be able to help you with this and this information should be part of your after-care. 


It is important to keep your expectations realistic after weight loss surgery.  The operation is not a magic pill and your commitment is what counts when it comes to the long-term effects of weight loss surgery and how long the results will last.

Gaining a Healthy Weight

With diet and exercise you can certainly get to your ideal weight but rather than obsessing about a number concentrate on getting to a healthy weight.  On average weight loss surgery brings most patients into the range of a 25 – 35 BMI.  A BMI that takes you from ‘morbidly obese’ to ‘obese’ range is a huge achievement.  Discuss your goal with your GP but do make sure it is attainable and remember it takes time.  Most patients lose weight one year after surgery this is what is know as the ‘window of opportunity’ when you will see most weight loss. 

Losing More Weight

The second year usually sees patient’s weight plateau or slow down.  Your pouch will stretch a little by the second year.  This stretching will lead to you being able to eat slightly more and getting hungry faster.  For some once they start to feel better about their new weight the motivation to lose weight becomes harder to find. 

Losing weight is a constant battle and one that you will face for the rest of your life but well worth it for an improved life.  Remember success can be measured not just in terms of weight loss but in terms of the obesity-related health problems.  If you have dropped your BMI from ‘morbidly obese’ to ‘obese’ you are at much less risk of diabetes, hypertension, joint pain, asthma, sleep apnoea and many more serious health conditions. 

Many patients report having a fuller life with opportunities they never had pre-surgery.  You will soon notice increased energy and you may feel years younger.  It is very common for many post weight loss surgery patients to report that they didn’t realise just how unhappy and limited their lives were before surgery.

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