Gastric Sleeve Outcomes – Weight Loss
Published Studies
There have been 100s of studies published on gastric sleeve weight loss, by 100s of surgeons, and the results are highly variable. Some surgeons report average gastric sleeve weight loss to be as low as 40-50% EWL (EWL – excess weight loss, definition below), and some report average weight loss to be as high as 70-80% EWL.*
More about gastric sleeve weight loss
This is a large range – the difference between 40-50% EWL and 70-80% EWL is about 30 pounds for the typical patient (100 lbs overweight), and more for higher BMI patients. The main reason for this variability is the fact that different surgeons do the gastric sleeve operation in different ways, and these differences affect patient outcomes.*
Outcomes vary between surgeons
Industry Average Weight Loss
Individual surgeons and programs report widely variable average weight loss results, but what is the overall industry average weight loss for all surgeons? Gagner et al compiled weight loss data from 130 surgeons and 46,133 gastric sleeve operations and found overall average (industry average) gastric sleeve weight loss to be 55-59% EWL at 1-3 years after surgery (59.3% EWL at 1 year, 59.0% EWL at 2 years, 54.7% EWL at 3 years).*
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Dr. Oliak’s Weight Loss Statistics
Orange County gastric sleeve surgeon Dr. Oliak’s weight loss statistics are better than the industry averages. Dr. Oliak’s patients average 75-80% EWL at 1-3 years after surgery (76% EWL at 1 year, 80% EWL at 2 years, and 75% EWL at 3 years).* Why are Dr. Oliak’s patient outcomes better than the averages? Superior surgery and patient care!*
Our gastric sleeve program
Gastric Sleeve Surgeon Dr. Oliak’s Weight Loss Statistics*
61% EWL after 6 months
76% EWL after 1 year
80% EWL after 2 years
75% EWL after 3 years
Gastric Sleeve Surgeon Dr. Oliak’s Weight Loss Statistics Compared to Industry Averages
| Time after surgery |
Dr. Oliak’s %EWL* |
Industry average %EWL* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year |
76% |
59.3% |
| 2 years |
80% |
59.0% |
| 3 years |
75% |
54.7% |
* The weight loss results above are averages. Individual patients can lose more or less weight than the average.
Gastric sleeve surgeon Dr. Oliak’s %EWL (excess weight loss) statistics are for all gastric sleeve operations completed 2008-2017 (n=400). Industry average %EWL statistics are from a study by Gagner et al of 130 surgeons and 46,133 gastric sleeve operations.
What is excess weight?
Excess weight is the amount of weight over ideal weight. Ideal weight can be found in Metropolitan Life Insurance height-weight tables. Ideal weight is considered to be the middle weight in the medium frame size range. For example, ideal weight (not goal weight) for a 5’4″ woman is considered to be 134 pounds, and ideal weight (not goal weight) for a 5’11” man is considered to be 164 pounds.
Gastric Sleeve Complications
Sleeve gastrectomy has been proven to be a safe operation. As with all operations, however, complications can occur. The most important early complication is generally considered to be leak (discussed below), and the most important late complication is generally considered to be acid reflux (discussed below).
Gastric Sleeve Leak
A gastric sleeve leak is a hole in the stomach along the line of division that occurs early after surgery before complete healing has occurred. A gastric sleeve leak is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication that all sleeve gastrectomy surgeons try hard to prevent.
Published Studies
There have been many studies published on gastric sleeve leak rates, by many surgeons, and the results are highly variable. Individual surgeons report leak rates to be anywhere from 0-9%. It is obvious from the published studies that some surgeons achieve much lower leak rates than other surgeons.**
More about gastric sleeve leak
Industry Average Leak Rate
Leak rates vary by surgeon from 0-9%, but what is the overall industry average for all sleeve gastrectomy surgeons? Aurora et al compiled leak data from 29 different studies with a total of 4,888 gastric sleeve operations, and found the overall gastric sleeve leak rate (industry average) to be 2.4% (1 in 40 operations).**
More about gastric sleeve leak
Dr. Oliak’s Gastric Sleeve Leak Statistics
Orange County sleeve gastrectomy surgeon Dr. Oliak’s leak rate is 0% (0 in 400 operations).** This ranks among the best reported leak statistics in the field, and is significantly lower than the industry average gastric sleeve leak rate of 2.4%.**
Our gastric sleeve program
Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgeon Dr. Oliak’s Leak Rate Compared to Industry Average
| Outcome parameter |
Dr. Oliak’s leak rate** |
Industry average leak rate** |
|---|---|---|
| Leak rate |
0% (0 in 400 operations) |
2.4% (1 in 40 operations) |
** Leaks can occur after gastric sleeve surgery. Past performance is not necessary indicative of future results. Orange County sleeve gastrectomy surgeon Dr. Oliak’s 0% leak rate statistic applies to all gastric sleeve operations (primary and revision) completed 2008-2017 (n=400). Industry average leak rate statistic from Aurora et al study which compiled leak data from 29 studies with a total of 4,888 gastric sleeve operations.
Acid Reflux after Gastric Sleeve
Acid reflux (gerd) is the main potential long-term complication after sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Minor or moderate acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery can generally be successfully treated with antacid medications. More severe acid reflux may require an operation to address the cause (hiatal hernia, dilated upper sleeve), or to convert to a different operation, typically gastric bypass.
Published Studies
The published studies on acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery report widely variable results. In general, studies show that there is a percentage of patients who develop worsened gerd symptoms after surgery. The percentage varies depending on the study.
Oor et al reviewed 33 studies on acid reflux after gastric sleeve, and concluded that surgeon heterogeneity (differences in outcomes between surgeons) between the studies was so large that estimations of overall averages could not be made.
This finding of extreme surgeon heterogeneity reflects the lack of agreement on what specific surgical techniques are required to prevent acid reflux. Different surgeons have widely variable techniques, and these different techniques translate into widely variable long-term acid reflux rates.
Dr. Oliak’s Gastric Sleeve Acid Reflux Statistics
Dr. Oliak’s current gastric sleeve acid reflux rate (percentage of patients who report more heartburn symptoms after surgery than before) is 15.8%. The majority of these patients report their symptoms to be easily controllable and not severe.
A small percentage of patients (currently 3%) report more severe acid reflux symptoms after gastric sleeve surgery. In Dr. Oliak’s experience, the risk for more severe acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery is highest in patients who have more longstanding/severe heartburn symptoms before surgery, and in patients who have larger and more longstanding hiatal hernias before surgery.
Patients with more severe/longstanding acid reflux symptoms, and patients with large/chronic hiatal hernias are probably best treated with gastric bypass surgery, because gastric bypass surgery typically resolves acid reflux symptoms.
Gastric Sleeve Improves Medical Conditions
Medical problems associated with weight, including diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, joint pain, asthma, depression, infertility, urinary stress incontinence, lower extremity swelling, and headaches all tend to resolve or improve with weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy surgery.*
Weight Loss Surgery Patients Live Longer
Numerous published studies have shown that weight loss surgery patients live longer than similarly obese patients who don’t have surgery. This is because the surgery patients lose weight, become healthier, and suffer fewer heart attacks, fewer strokes, and less cancer (reference).*
