In the early twenty-first century, gastric band surgery became a popular option for patients seeking to remove significant amounts of extra weight despite previous failures with diet and exercise. It swiftly gained traction as a competitor to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric sleeve operations due to its reduced cost and great effectiveness.

However, this operation has fallen out of favor over the years due to concerns about long-term risks. Despite this, it remains a popular choice for people seeking a successful, reversible weight loss procedure. So, how much weight can you truly lose with the gastric band, and should you consider gastric band surgery as a quick weight-loss option?

What is gastric band surgery?

The adjustable gastric band, also known as the Lap-Band, is a silicone band that tightens across the top of the stomach. The main goal is to shrink the stomach, like gastric bypass or sleeve surgeries.

The gastric band, on the other hand, differs from other operations because it is easily reversible. All a patient needs to do is undergo the reverse gastric band surgery performed by the surgeon. Because it is not a risky operation, many bariatric patients prefer gastric bands to more traditional weight loss surgeries.

Allergan, Inc.'s trademark Lap-Band is not a generic term for adjustable gastric banding treatments.

Will I lose weight in the first month after the surgery?

Because the liquid diet is low in calories, you may lose some weight in the first two weeks after gastric band surgery. Your appetite may also be affected as the area around the band swells initially following surgery. Your appetite will return as the swelling begins to reduce. As a result, your weight will likely have plateaued (stabilized) or increased significantly by the time you attend your first clinic session. It's normal.

As previously stated, gastric band adjustments are essential to provide proper stomach compression and thus adequate control of the appetite, mouthful sizes, the amount of chewing required, speed of eating, and therefore,  lower portion sizes and commence weight loss.

When the band is properly fitted, most people may lose 0.5 to 1kg (1 to 2lb) per week if they eat healthy foods and exercise regularly.  

Men usually lose weight faster than women because they have a higher percentage of lean muscle mass. In addition, larger people, as well as those who are more active, tend to lose more weight at the beginning.  

Expected average weight loss after gastric band surgery

Gastric banding is a beneficial weight management strategy, delivering considerable and sustained weight loss for up to 3 years, according to studies. Some people, however, may continue to lose weight after this period. A major systematic study published in 2019 found that 45.9% of extra weight was lost and sustained 10-15 years after the surgery.

The following is the average weight decrease after a gastric band:

One  year after surgery: 30-42% extra weight

Two  years after surgery: 39-52% extra weight

Three years after surgery, 44-55% of excess weight has been lost.

Although the data above is encouraging, they are only partial. 

Factors affecting weight loss after gastric band surgery

Exercising

Although a patient will be unable to undertake much activity soon following surgery, they will be able to begin exercising at the doctor's discretion. A patient who outperforms expectations exercises daily intending to progress to higher calorie-burning regimens as they recuperate.

Diet and eating habits after surgery

Diet is the lynchpin that keeps everything together. A gastric band patient who meets their weight reduction objectives and exceeds the average weight loss maintains healthy eating habits after surgery. They follow the doctor's diet and do not revert to their previous habits after recuperating.

Starting BMI and weight

The ideal weight is defined as your weight at a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25kg/m2. Calculate this by multiplying 25 by your height in meters squared (i.e. multiplied by itself). For example, if your height is 1.65m, your ideal weight will be:

1.65*1.65*25=68kg. 

Heavier patients often lose more weight. It's just math. However, it is also affected by BMI. A higher BMI person is more likely to lose weight.

Adjusting the band

Weight loss may be hampered if the gastric band needs to be adjusted. It has the advantage of allowing the patient to modify the band to feel fuller in lesser amounts if the results are not satisfactory.

What if I am not losing weight after gastric band surgery?

• Call your dietitian to arrange a face-to-face or online appointment. It's possible that you need to adjust your eating habits to work with the band rather than against it. It is also possible that you require a band adjustment. In the first case, consult with a dietician to ensure that you do not endure an unnecessary gastric band correction. Remember that dietitians who work in weight loss surgery are there to assist you get the most out of your operation, not merely to tell you how to eat properly!
• Increase your physical activity. Maintain a positive attitude and set realistic goals for yourself throughout your weight loss journey. Evidence suggests that persons who have something to concentrate on mentally achieve the best results. Perhaps you have health issues and want to feel better, or you want to be able to run around in the park with your children/grandchildren, or you want to be able to shop in a wider range of stores - whatever your situation, find a realistic goal that is important to you and strive for it at all times.