Frequently Asked Questions

This will depend upon the nature of your occupation; if you have a physically inactive job, then you can generally expect to return to work in 1-2 weeks, as by this time the wounds will have healed and you should be feeling a lot less discomfort. If your job is physically demanding then you may need a little more time before you’re able to return to work. Your stomach will typically take 6-8 weeks to heal, and during this period it’s important that you follow the special dietary guidelines as closely as possible. This may leave you feeling a little short on energy if you physically exert yourself.

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is performed to help a severely obese person lose weight. By reducing the size of the stomach and changing the anatomy of the digestive tract, it helps a person consume fewer calories. Some bariatric procedures can also assist in weight loss by affecting the production of intestinal hormones so hunger is reduced and feelings of fullness are increased.

There are several different types of weight loss surgery, and each procedure has different benefits and disadvantages. Common forms of bariatric surgery include:
Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or RYGB): Part of the stomach is closed off, leaving only a small pouch for food, which is connected to the middle part of the small intestine. Food can thus "bypass" a part of the stomach and small intestine. This procedure works the fastest and results in the greatest amount of weight loss, but it is the most risky of procedures.
Gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy): A large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow tube, or "sleeve." This procedure is safer than gastric bypass.
Duodenal switch surgery is a combination of a gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (lap-band): A soft silicone ring with an expandable balloon in the center is implanted around the top part of the stomach. It creates two compartments to the stomach, with a smaller part above the band so a person only eats enough to fill the top portion. This is often considered the least invasive procedure.
Gastric balloon: A type of balloon is inserted via the mouth into the stomach where it remains for up to 6 months, resulting in less space for food. It's considered safe and does not involve any incisions, but it does not result in as much weight loss as the other options.

A person's body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight in adults used to determine which patients are eligible to have weight loss surgery. Your doctor will determine your BMI, which tells you if you are normal weight, overweight, or obese. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese but generally a higher BMI is required to qualify for weight loss surgery.
You may qualify for weight loss surgery if your BMI is:
Above 40 or you are more than 100 pounds overweight, and you have not responded to diet, exercise, or weight loss medications.
Above 35 and you also have an obesity-related medical problem, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, or gastrointestinal disorders.
Above 30, but only if you have certain medical conditions.

Patients can lose about 50 to 80 percent of their excess weight following weight loss surgery, depending on the procedure.

For example, if you have 100 pounds to lose, this means you can realistically expect to lose 50 to 80 pounds post-operatively. It is important to understand that most patients will not lose all the excess weight or reach a normal weight (BMI 20-25) following bariatric surgery. Many factors impact weight loss results including age, medical conditions, physical condition, and adherence to the recommended diet, exercise, and behavioral changes.

Different procedures have different expectations for the amount of excess weight a patient may lose:

Duodenal Switch: 80% loss of excess weight
Gastric Bypass: 70% loss of excess weight
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy): 60% loss of excess weight
Gastric Band (Lap Band): 50% loss of excess weight

True. Patients can begin moving almost immediately after surgery.

While still in the hospital short walks will be encouraged. Start slow, listen to your body, and follow your doctor's instructions. For three to six weeks post-op you should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting. Low impact activities are recommended. Swimming should wait until the surgical incisions are healed.

It is common for weight loss surgery patients to regain weight following bariatric surgery.

Sometimes it's only 10 or 20 pounds. For some people, it can be 100 pounds or more.

It is important to remember that obesity is a chronic disease and weight loss surgery is not a cure. Surgery is only a tool to help a person achieve significant weight loss when other methods have not worked. But it is up to the individual to maintain the proper diet, exercise, and behavioral changes. Educating yourself and keeping all follow-up doctor appointments is the best way to ensure success.

Weight loss surgery can help a person lose a significant amount of weight when other methods have not worked, but the surgery often provides other benefits. Most people are able to be more physically active and have a better quality of life. In addition, weight loss surgery can get rid of or improve conditions related to obesity, such as:

High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
Sleep apnea
Body pain
Knee and hip pain
Urinary incontinence

No. A small percentage of patients will regain a substantial portion of the weight that is lost. This is occurs primarily when the patient does not follow the dietary guidelines in the months and years following the procedure.

On average we expect weight loss results for gastric sleeve patients to be approx 60-70% of their excess weight during the first two years, although most of the weight is lost during the first year. Some people will inevitably do better than this, and some not so well.

As a general guide, you are eligible for gastric sleeve surgery if you have a BMI of 35kg/m2 or over, and have exhausted other option without success. Use our BMI checker to calculate your own BMI, and see if you’re eligible. You can read more about your eligibility for sleeve surgery, both in the private sector and in the NHS by following this link.