One of the most frequently asked questions we hear regarding weight loss after bariatric surgery is, “How fast should I be losing weight?” Whether someone has had gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding, it is common to feel worried when the number on the scale stalls, or isn't dropping as fast as your expected, especially in those early weeks or months after surgery.

But the truth is, there is no single “normal” rate of weight loss. Everybody is different. A surgeon we worked with used to say he was far more interested in what a patient weighed two years after surgery than two weeks after. Why? Because what is most important, is long term weight loss and sustained health improvements like reversing fatty liver disease, improving blood pressure, and better managing type 2 diabetes. These are the benefits that bariatric surgery procedures aim to support.

Of course, we also understand that the primary goal of weight loss surgery is, understandably, to lose weight. It’s natural to feel anxious if the scales are not moving as expected, especially when 'goal weight' is often discussed and we see significant weight loss success stories on Google, social media, and support forums.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT SHOULD I LOSE (AND HOW FAST)?

Bariatric surgery patients often come to us wanting specifics: how much weight to expect to lose pre- and post-op, what weekly or monthly results they should aim for, or how much excess weight loss is 'normal' after bariatric surgery. The reality is, there is no formula, and even clinical trials and data from major medical centres like the Mayo Clinic and the Bariatric Surgery Registry can only give averages, not guarantees.

Recently in our Elevate support group, someone posted: "How much weight did you lose in the first four weeks?"

Here’s a snapshot of just a few answers:

• “3.5 weeks post-op, I’ve lost 17kg including pre-op.”

• “2kg after surgery, plus 2kg pre-op.”

• “Down 9kg at 4 weeks.”

• “It took 5 years, but I’ve lost 120kg.”

• “17 months post-op and I’m 10kg lighter.”

These stories illustrate just how different every weight loss journey is. And it reinforces a key message: avoid comparing yourself to others.

POST-SURGERY PAUSES ARE NORMAL

Some patients undergoing bariatric surgery will see rapid results straight after surgery. Others won’t. Often, fluid retention, food intake changes, or internal hormonal adjustments can make the scale bounce, or even go up. This can be alarming, but it is also completely normal.

In fact, if you have lost a significant amount of weight during the pre-op phase, your body might pause after surgery. It's a protective mechanism. Losing weight too quickly can feel like a crisis to the body, so it temporarily slows things down. This isn’t failure. It’s biology.

WHEN WEIGHT LOSS FEELS SLOW

The emotional, physical, and financial investment in surgery is significant. Wanting to see results, and fast, is completely understandable. But as one of our clients, Jane, who lost 120kg, says:

“It took me 40 years to get to my heaviest, so it made sense it wasn’t going to come off overnight.”

Long-term bariatric surgery success is not about rapid loss. It is about steady, sustainable changes to food choices, activity levels, and self-care habits and an improved relationship with food over years, not weeks. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

MONITORING WEIGHT LOSS (WITHOUT OBSESSION)

You might think the more often you weigh yourself, the more on track you will be. But that is not always the case.

Some clients weigh morning and night and panic at the difference. Others arrive at appointments fasting all day, hoping to show the lowest possible number. But choosing not to eat breakfast in anticipation of a weigh-in is not a helpful or sustainable habit, and it’s not one that supports better health outcomes.

Daily weight fluctuations are influenced by food intake, hydration, hormonal changes, digestion, and more. For a clearer picture, we recommend looking at trends over time rather than day-to-day numbers.

UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY OF WEIGHT LOSS

Let’s normalise something: weight loss is not linear. There will be drops, weight regain, and plateaus. This is true for the majority of people, from RYGB, OAGB & SADI patients to those who have had sleeve gastrectomy or gastric banding.

The real measure of success is whether, over time, the overall direction of the trend is down, and your health markers, like blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI)—are improving.

TAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

One of the most empowering lessons we teach through our nutrition coaching is this: bariatric surgery is a tool, not a set and forget cure.

It doesn’t force you to make nutritious choices. It doesn’t eliminate emotional eating, take calories out of calorie-dense foods, or make you crave vegetables. What it can do is help you feel more satisfied with smaller portions, if you give it the right conditions to work.

As Colleen Cook, a long-term weight loss surgery success story and author of The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients, says:

“Successful patients took personal responsibility for staying in control. They believed maintaining their weight was their responsibility, and that surgery was a tool they used to do that.”

If you are not seeing the weight loss you had hoped for, it may be time to review whether all your bariatric foundations are consistently in place. What are your eating patterns like? Are you eating slowly (but not too slowly), choosing high-protein meals, staying hydrated, moving your body?

And importantly, how long have you been doing those things?

THE BOTTOM LINE

Weight loss after bariatric surgery is not the same for everyone. Results depend on your unique body, the type of surgery you had, your starting point, and how well your daily habits support your goals. Obsessing over short-term numbers or comparing yourself to others can distract you from what really matters: your overall health, quality of life, and long-term success.

If you would like our support along the way, our signature online nutrition coaching program, Elevate, could be just what you need. With fortnightly group calls, monthly master classes, our expert guidance, and a supportive community, we help bariatric surgery patients confidently navigate the ups and downs of their journey.

Click here to register your interest. There’s no obligation, just a chance to see if Elevate feels like the right fit for you.