In general, we expect gastric bypass surgery patients will lose 60-70% of their excess weight over a 2-year period (though the majority of the weight is lost in the first year). Do remember, however, that 60-70% excess weight is the average loss. Some people will do better as a result of gastric bypass surgery and some a little worse than this.
As an example, a 5ft 6in person weighing 17st (240 lbs) has an ideal weight of about 11st (154 lbs); so an excess weight of 240-154 = 86lbs. 70% of 86lbs is around 60lbs. In other words, after gastric bypass, this person could expect to lose (on average) around 4 - 4½ st.
What happens in the long-term?
Because gastric bypass surgery can result in a significantly reduced absorption of key vitamins and minerals, it is much more likely to be associated with long-term nutritional deficiencies. The commonest problems relate to vitamin D, B12, folate, iron and calcium which may result in anaemia and bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
To guard against nutritional deficiencies, you will be required to take high concentrations of vitamins and minerals each day for life. We strongly recommend VitaWeight™ supplements which have been specially formulated for surgical weight loss patients. It is also most important that you have regular blood checks to make sure that your vitamin and mineral stores adequate to your needs.
If you follow these instructions you will avoid the long-term complications which could otherwise occur after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Scientific evidence suggests that the majority of patients who comply with the follow-up requirements, including nutritional recommendations, do very well after gastric bypass. Moreover, compared with obese individuals who have not had surgery, gastric bypass patients have a much lower risk of premature death and disability.
