VSG Weight Loss Chart
Track your vertical sleeve gastrectomy patients’ progress post-surgery with our VSG Weight Loss Chart.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What is a VSG Weight Loss Chart Template?
A Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), also known as a gastric sleeve, is the most common bariatric procedure worldwide (Lewis et al., 2021) and involves the removal of part of the stomach to form a smaller pouch known as a sleeve.
While weight loss following VSG is the ultimate goal, patients must adhere to proper nutrition guidelines following the procedure to ensure the best possible outcome.
To help your patients adhere to their post-surgical weight loss plan, we have created this VSG weight loss chart- a user-friendly way to visually track progress. Instead of just focusing on numbers on the scale, this chart lets your patients see their achievements in a graph, boosting their motivation each time they check-in.
Staying motivated is key to success in weight loss following any bariatric surgery, and that's why we’ve included specific details for your clients to monitor their progress pre and post-surgery. We want your clients to feel proud of their accomplishments and stay dedicated to their journey.
Our resource includes a pre-formatted and customizable weight loss chart template and a written log for recording weight measurements.
Printable VSG Weight Loss Chart PDF here
Access our free VSG Weight Loss Chart PDF
How does it work?
This Printable VSG Weight Loss Chart Template is fairly intuitive, but to be sure your patient is getting the most out of this resource- just follow the steps below.
Add in the client name and start date
Start by personalizing the chart with your client's name, information, and the date of their surgery.
Set y-axis values
On the vertical axis, fill in your client’s personalized weight values. Put the starting weight at the top and the goal weight at the bottom. Then, add the in-between weights using whichever units you prefer, lbs or kgs.
Enter weight measurement and date of measurement
With the chart set up, it's time to record the exact measurement in the space provided. Each time your patient weighs in, they can simply jot the measurement down in the written log.
Add any extra comments
Maybe your client stepped on the scale after a hearty meal, or they just want to capture their mood when they weigh themselves. The comments section in the written log is the perfect spot for these additional notes.
Plot each value on the chart
Now comes the fun part! Using the info from the written log, your client can plot their weight measurements and the corresponding dates on the chart.
Over time, the measurements will add up to form a trendline that can illustrate graphically the weight your client has lost following their surgery.
VSG Weight Loss Chart example (sample)
To see what a typical weight loss pattern following VSG might look like when depicted on this VSG Weight Loss Chart Template PDF, just take a look at our example template. This example is based on a typical post-surgical weight loss, but your patients may show a very different change in weight depending on their starting weight, dietary factors, exercise, or other individual differences.
Download this VSG Weight Loss Chart example here
When would you use this template?
This weight loss chart is a valuable tool following a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), aiding in monitoring and celebrating progress on the transformative weight loss journey.
Post-surgery, patients undergo significant lifestyle changes, including modified eating habits and exercise routines. This weight loss chart serves as a visual representation of their accomplishments, allowing individuals and healthcare professionals to track the progressive weight reduction and assess the effectiveness of the VSG.
This chart is particularly beneficial for setting realistic goals and milestones, promoting motivation, and reinforcing positive behavioral changes. It helps individuals to stay accountable to their post-surgery regimen, ensuring that weight loss is occurring at a healthy and sustainable pace.
Additionally, the weight loss chart can be a crucial communication tool between patients and healthcare providers, facilitating discussions about any necessary changes to their dietary or exercise plans based on the observed progress.
Research & evidence
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy has become the most popular bariatric surgery worldwide and with good reason! It has many benefits for patients looking to lose significant amounts of weight, and is rooted in evidence-based practice- some of which we’ll go into here.
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy arose from the gradual modification of existing techniques, mainly the duodenal switch procedure, with the first open sleeve gastrectomy performed by Doug Hess in 1988 (Jossart, 2010).
The VSG works by reducing the size of the stomach to a smaller “sleeve”. This not only restricts the amount of food that can be consumed, increasing a sense of fullness initially, but also reduces the amount of hunger hormones that are produced (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.).
The VSG can typically lead to losing up to 60% of excess body weight without the dumping syndrome characteristic of other procedures (Penn Medicine, n.d.).
Despite its many strengths, there are some limitations to the VSG. On average, weight loss is lower compared to bypass procedures, and there is the risk of the sleeve narrowing over time (Penn Medicine, n.d.). Additionally, like any gastric procedure, there is a risk of regaining the weight lost over time.
One study found that 44% of patients regained more than 10kg from the lowest weight reached following VSG (Flolo et al, 2017). It is difficult to quantify weight regain following VSG, but it has been widely accepted that regain rates from VSG are comparable to those from other procedures such as the Roux-en-Y bypass (Weber and Chand, 2018).
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may also provide additional benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes, a factor to consider when deciding between these procedures (Lewis et al., 2021).
References
Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery: Types & Requirements. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 15 December 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/bariatric-surgery
Flolo TN, Andersen JR, Kolotkin RL, Aasprang A, Natvig GK, Hufthammer KO, et al. (2017) Five-year outcomes after vertical sleeve gastrectomy for severe obesity: a prospective cohort study. Obes Surg; 27:1944–51.
Jossart, Gregg H. (2010) The History of Sleeve Gastrectomy Bariatric Times. 7(2):9–10
Lewis, K. H., Arterburn, D. E., Zhang, F., Callaway, K., Wallace, J., Fernandez, A., Ross-Degnan, D., & Wharam, J. F. (2021). Comparative Effectiveness of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Diabetes Treatment: A Claims-based Cohort Study. Annals of Surgery, 273(5), 940–948. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000003391
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy—Penn Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved 15 December 2023, from https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/bariatric-surgery/procedures/sleeve-gastrectomy
Weber, C., & Chand, B. (2018). Weight Regain Following Bariatric Surgery and Revisional Surgery. In D. Camacho & N. Zundel (Eds.), Complications in Bariatric Surgery (pp. 147–165). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75841-1_12
Commonly asked questions
The amount of weight commonly lost after Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) varies, but patients often achieve substantial weight loss, with an average ranging from 50% to 70% of excess body weight.
While Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) is effective, there is always the possibility of regaining weight, particularly if lifestyle changes are not maintained. Follow-up care, adherence to dietary guidelines, and regular exercise can help prevent significant weight regain.
Alternatives to VSG include other bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass, roux-en-Y, or adjustable gastric banding. The choice depends on individual health factors, preferences, and the recommendations of healthcare professionals.
Generally, a BMI of 40 or above is required to be eligible for bariatric surgery, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy. However, a BMI lower than this but greater than 35, along with a comorbid condition such as type 2 diabetes, can also qualify an individual for this surgery.
