How much weight loss is realistic with a stomach reduction?
Most of those who have undergone surgery stay in hospital for 5 to 8 days for rehabilitation after the operation. Aftercare already begins, i.e. the diet begins immediately. It must also be checked whether the body accepts the operation well.
In the case of a stomach reduction, the stomach is drastically reduced in size, which means that only small amounts of food can be taken in. As a result, the patients are satisfied faster and eat much less than before the operation. As a result, patients lose weight quickly.
How much weight loss occurs after a stomach reduction depends individually on the patient, their metabolism and their initial weight. However, a reduction in excess weight by about two thirds in the first two years after the operation is quite realistic. Most patients lose about 16% of their body weight in one year.
This refers to the fatty tissue, so only excess weight is lost. In the following years there is a further weight reduction. In some cases even more weight is lost than the 16% mentioned above.Many patients with a weight of more than 200 kg reported a weight loss of 40-60 kg in the first year after surgery.
Many patients with a weight of more than 200 kg even reported a weight loss of 90 kg in the first year after surgery. All this is especially true if a strict diet and exercise plan is followed. Keeping to the strict diet is a prerequisite for losing weight and maintaining weight after the operation. However, if everything is followed, the prognosis for weight loss is very good.
Gastric reduction without surgery
A stomach reduction without a classical surgery is only possible by inserting a stomach balloon. The gastric balloon is inserted endoscopically into the stomach via the esophagus. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under sedation.
After insertion of the balloon, it is filled with 500 to 700 ml of saline solution, so that the stomach is already largely filled by the balloon. As a result, patients reach saturation faster when eating and the stomach is virtually “shrunk”. The balloon is usually removed after 6 months.
However, the procedure still brings with it some complications that should be taken into account. Many patients feel nauseous after the insertion of the gastric balloon. Abdominal pain can also last for several days.
Dehydration (lack of fluid) and a dangerous electrolyte shift can also occur. Since the saline solution in the balloon is interspersed with a dye (methylene blue), the urine turns blue if the balloon bursts. The balloon must then be removed immediately. Other dangerous complications are death of the stomach wall (necrosis), ruptures (tears) of the stomach and duodenum (duodenum) and intestinal obstruction (ileus).
