If you’re reading this post right now there is a good chance you’re considering gastric sleeve. In either case, you’re probably looking for some inspiration and want to see some gastric sleeve before and after photos.
Hi, I’m Jamie! I’m a registered dietitian who specializes in bariatric surgery. I also had the gastric sleeve (aka the vertical sleeve gastrectomy or VSG) in 2017. And I can remember wondering back then “well how much weight am I going to lose?.” Or thinking “what kind of results can I get?”
While everyone’s bodies are different, and everyone’s weight loss surgery journeys and results will be different too, I thought this was a good opportunity to put some inspiration photos together. Not only to showcase amazing people in the bariatric community, but to help you see some wonderful examples of what success looks like post op.
And spoiler alert, success isn’t just about the number on the scale! It’s about all the NSV’s (non scale victories) along the way too, which I’m so excited to share!
A quick disclaimer regarding gastric sleeve before and after photos…
Before you go any further I want to add a little disclaimer and trigger warning. In this blog post I’m going to be featuring peoples gastric sleeve before and after photos. Some photos also mention weight loss numbers.
If you easily fall into the comparison trap or are easily triggered by numbers, I would strongly encourage you to skip this post. Maybe take a look at my blog post, Why You Need More Self Love After WLS, instead.
I also want to add another disclaimer. Please note – everyone featured in this blog has given me full permission to post their information publicly. And I am incredibly honored to share their journeys with you!
And lastly, you will notice some photos have a badge that says “T.R.I.B.E.® Member” on it. These people are either current members in my T.R.I.B.E.® Membership program*, or have been in the past. More on that later 😉
What is a gastric sleeve?
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), also referred to as the gastric sleeve, is a metabolic and bariatric surgical procedure. During the procedure, approximately 80-85% of the stomach is removed.
This weight loss surgery is non reversible. It is an incredibly effective way to treat clinical obesity. Not only does this surgery limit the amount of food you can eat, but it also affects your hunger and full hormones. This is what makes it a true metabolic procedure.
What kind of gastric sleeve before and after results can you expect?
Patients who have VSG typically lose anywhere from 50-60% of their excess body weight in the first 12-18 months. Although, it’s important to note that gastric sleeve before and after results will vary. Excess body weight is defined as the amount of weight above a persons ideal body weight (IBW). Now, “ideal body weight” isn’t always ideal, since these numbers are based of the BMI, which is flawed and not a great determinant of overall health.
So for example:
According to IBW, a female who is 5’4” should have a IBW of 120 lbs. Let’s say their starting weight before gastric sleeve surgery is 280 lbs. Their excess weight is 160 lbs. If they have gastric sleeve surgery they can expect to lose anywhere from 80-96lbs on average.
But again, these are all averages that are based on statistics. Everyone’s own individual results will vary, and it’s largely dependent on your body, genetics, comorbidities, risk factors, and lifestyle habits (because spoiler alert! Lifestyle habits still play a huge role post op!)
My personal gastric sleeve journey
I don’t share about my own journey a ton on the blog (that’s something I’ve always shared on my Instagram page) but given the topic I felt it was only fitting to share a bit about my own journey here.
After my gastric sleeve surgery in 2017, I lost 112 lbs in that first year. I maintained it for quite some time, over 2+ years, and in my 3rd year post op, did regain a bit. I put on about 25 lbs despite trying my absolute hardest to keep it off (even us dietitians aren’t immune to regain!)
In 2022 I got on a GLP-1 medication and proceeded to lose another 42 lbs over the course of a year. Not only did I lose the weight I was hoping for, but I worked really hard in the gym and was able to gain muscle too! I was the leanest, happiest, and healthiest I had ever been!
In the photo above, you are seeing me at my highest recorded weight, and my lowest in 2023. For those that may not know, I’m 6 months postpartum. I’m really proud of myself, as I’ve lost more than half the weight I gained during pregnancy, and am well on my way to getting back to where I was.
Remember, a picture doesn’t tell the whole story
The reason I share all of this with you is because it’s easy to look at someone’s before and after picture and assume they easily got to their destination. But that rarely is true. We ALL have struggles and hurdles on this journey. There will always be ups and downs.
So while you’re looking at all of the before and after photos, just know there is a whole lot in between, and maybe even events after the after photo, that you’re not seeing.
All that to say, despite working on my weight loss again in this postpartum period, I’m still SO grateful for my gastric sleeve before and after results and am still worlds away from where I once was! I am healthy and still so happy with my body, even after a baby.
Gastric sleeve before and after photos
Here are some real life gastric sleeve patients and their gastric sleeve before and after photos. Take a look at all the success they’ve had!
It’s about more than just weight loss
Seeing the number go down is great. But ultimately, it’s about how you FEEL in your body. Sure, seeing the scale go down is nice, and wearing smaller clothes is cool too, but it’s not the weight loss itself that brings you happiness and peace on this journey.
It’s about living your life to the fullest. This journey is about taking hold of your health and living a long, happy, and healthy life. It’s about being your most authentic self and living in a way that feels good for you.
And if you’re someone who struggled to truly honor yourself before surgery, or maybe you’re in that boat now, I see you. Living in a larger body can be so challenging. And finally feeling like the person you were always meant to be and being able to show up for yourself and others after surgery just changes the game.
The T.R.I.B.E.® Membership
As promised, I’m circling back to tell you more about T.R.I.B.E.®
This is my signature membership program that has supported thousands of bariatric patients in hitting their goals on their journeys. In the program I teach you step by step exactly how to hit all of your post op weight loss goals!
In addition, you also have access to our live community where I answer questions, offer support, and you have the ability to join dozens of live support groups every month!
Be sure to check it out! And if you decide to join us I’d love to offer you $10 off your first month! CODE: TRIBE10 for $10 off!
Hope to see you there!
xoxo
*Please note that weight loss results in T.R.I.B.E.® are not guaranteed.
