Life after bariatric surgery: how likely is weight regain?

Bariatric surgery can provide an excellent solution for people who have struggled with their weight for many years. However, we wanted to find out how possible it is to regain weight after the procedure.

The highly experienced bariatric surgeon Mr Bruno Sgromo, recently spoke with us about life after the procedure. Ms Elizabeth Ward, a dietitian Mr Sgromo works alongside with, has also highlighted some dietary guidelines for after the surgery.

Do bariatric surgery patients regain weight?

The causes of weight regain after bariatric surgery are two in the majority of cases; a poor diet caused by the return of bad eating habits or surgical problem.
 

This technical problem can be related to primary operation or can be secondary to complications. Bariatric surgery should only be performed when robust follow-up plan is in place with the support of surgeon, dietitian and a psychologist.
 

But there are complications or side effects after bariatric surgery can lead to a to diet change with the consequence of weight gain.
 

What percentage of patients regain weight after surgery?

The percentage is approximately 30%. It is normal to regain a little bit of weight before the weight settles in the long term. However, some patients put on more weight than the expected weight regain and most of the time because of behavioural issues and poor compliance with the advices.
 

Anatomical problems directly related to the operation itself can sometimes cause acid reflux or difficulties in swallowing solid food and patients can have their diet limited to soft food that often is rich in sugars and carbohydrate; this is also associated with weight regain.
 

When we deal with weight regain, it’s very important to understand the underlying problems. In a multidisciplinary way, psychologists and dieticians should be considered, to exclude any other issues and exclude the presence of anatomical issues.
 

It is not uncommon for patients after bariatric surgery to report symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn or regurgitation, for this reason I specialise in a procedure called STRETTA. It is an intervention to strengthen the valve at the top of the stomach and can improve considerably the symptoms of reflux and improve quality of life.
 

Can you ever eat normally after gastric bypass?

Yes, you can. The goal after bariatric surgery is to achieve weight loss without punishing patients with very restrictive diets. Ms Elizabeth Ward, an experienced dietitian I work with, will now share some tips on how wight can be maintained after bariatric surgery.

So how can I maintain my weight after bariatric surgery?

Miss Elizabeth Ward: "In the early weeks following bariatric surgery, your weight will fall relatively quickly and steadily. Your portion sizes will be small and you will feel full and satisfied after eating a small amount of food. You will be guided and supported to ensure you eat the right nutrients and focus on eating enough protein and keeping well hydrated, so that weight loss is healthy and you maintain your muscle mass, strength and energy whilst losing weight.  This is very important following bariatric surgery. As the months progress and you introduce more solid food, your weight loss will slow but portion sizes will remain small.

With ongoing support from your dietitian, you will continue to change your eating habits, continue to lose weight and increase activity levels to improve your health and lifestyle.  These new eating habits will allow you to reach your weight loss goals and plan for a healthier future. Your weight will stabilise at ~1 year to 18 months following surgery.  This can vary depending on exercise routines and new eating habits that have formed since surgery. Your body will adjust and your capacity for food will increase over this time to allow you to maintain your weight and prevent ongoing and unhealthy weight loss. You will establish a new healthy way of eating and understand how to prevent weight gain in the future."

When can I exercise after bariatric surgery?

Exercise like walking is strongly encouraged as soon as possible after surgery, even the day after surgery. After 6 weeks the abdominal wall muscles will have healed themselves and patients are usually encouraged to carry out all the exercise they want. There’s no risk of causing internal damage and there is a lot to gain in terms of reducing risk of chest infection and clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) by keeping fit!
 

If you will require more guidance related to bariatric surgery, we recommend chatting with leading consultant bariatric surgeon, Mr Bruno Sgromo . Visit his Top Doctors profile today for information on appointment availability.