How to calculate percent of excess body weight lost

To calculate excess body weight lost is simple.

1. Using a BMI chart simply identify the weight that takes you from overweight to normal. For me that weight is 177 lbs.
   
2. Using your starting weight subtract your ideal weight.
3. Next, divide the number of pounds you have lost by the number of pounds you need to lose in order and this will tell you the percent of excess body weight you have lost.
   

The reason this number is important is that most surgeons will say that a specific surgery usually results in 75% of excess body weight lost.

From my research here are the generally accepted amount of excess body weight to lose is:

Lap-Band: 40%-60%
Sleeve gastrectomy: 60-75%
Gastric bypass: 75-85%

However, sleeve gastrectomy is a relatively new procedure and long-term statistical data is still being developed. My surgeon has stated that he sees sleeve gastrectomy patients and gastric bypass patients lose weight at the same rate and generally enjoy comparable weight loss. Returning to my results, so far I agree.