Immediately following surgery, most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so until 18 to 24 months after the procedure. Although some patients may then start to regain some of their lost weight, few regain it all. Strict adherence to your surgeon's instructions after surgery will help you maintain your weight loss.

Weight reduction surgery has been reported to improve, or even cure, many of the comorbid conditions produced or aggravated by obesity, such as diabetes mellitus.(1) Sugar levels of most obese patients with diabetes returns to normal after surgery. Nearly all patients whose blood sugar levels do not return to normal are older or have had diabetes for a long time. A recent study showed that Type II diabetics treated medically had a mortality rate three times that of a comparable group who underwent gastric bypass surgery.(7)

Improvement, and more often, resolution is seen in sleep apnea and obesity associated hypoventilation.(2, 3) hypertension,(4) and serum lipid abnormalities.(5, 6) Preliminary data show heart function improved by the sustained weight loss, with decreased ventricular wall thickness and decreased chamber size. Other benefits seen in some patients after obesity surgery include improved mobility and stamina. Many patients find themselves in a better mood, with increased self-esteem, improved interpersonal relationships, and a much improved quality of life. They are less self-conscious.(8) They are able to improve social activities, find jobs and participate in activities formerly inaccessible to them. Contemptuous body image decreases. Marital satisfaction increases, but usually only if a measure of satisfaction existed before surgery. If marital problems existed before the surgery, the improved self-image may lead to divorce after the surgery and the weight loss it brings.

More long term follow up data will prove what magnitude of weight loss is necessary to achieve the greatest benefit in terms of longevity. Data from medical weight reduction studies suggest that a small weight loss will favorably affect obesity comorbid conditions. Data for patients over 55 years old at the time of surgery, followed for six or more years after gastric bypass, reflect significant sustained improvement in morbidity(9)

YOU will play the major role in your eventual weight loss. You will need to make adjustments in your present lifestyle, but the pride and feeling of accomplishment as you lose weight will be yours.