The two most notable events that will occur in the first few months to a year after surgery are rapid weight loss and an improvement to your overall health. For procedures like gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and the biliopancreatic bypass procedures, the majority of weight loss will actually occur in the first 6 to12 months. With the adjustable gastric band, weight loss is slower and continues beyond a year. Additionally, patients usually observe dramatic differences in chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or obstructive sleep apnea. Expect to decrease your medication or discontinue its use altogether. Many patients will also feel an increase in energy and an often become more active. 

Most patients may experience a reduction in appetite for six to nine months after surgery. Sugary, fatty or dense foods may become hard to tolerate, and vomiting can result from eating foods such as beef, rice and bread. Interestingly, many patients will lose interest in those foods and crave foods that are healthy and easier to eat.