Weight Set Point

As times have changed, the human race has evolved from being hunter-gatherers and moving constantly to a lifestyle that is less physically demanding with the invention of cars, technology, appliances and entertainment at the touch of a button. Everyday stresses such as family and work have pushed Australians to focus less of their health instead of making it a priority.

Because of this, when our weight increases, we diet and try to lose the kilo’s gained. This may be successful, but in other cases it can be harder to lose the weight and get back into the habit of a healthy lifestyle. Most people will find that their weight will gradually creep back up again if they don’t stick to a rigid exercise and healthy eating program, or sometimes even if they do.

Our weight set point is the weight our body feels safe and comfortable at, it occurs due to instinctive survival mechanisms and is maintained by a part of the brain that controls functions such as thoughts, your core temperature, and blood pressure. If your weight drops, your brain reacts to reset the weight back to where it was by making you more hungry, less easily satisfied when you eat, increasing your fat storage efficiency etc. Dieting and weight loss ultimately fails and the weight set point is re-established. Sound familiar?

Weight loss surgery, however, is able to reduce your weight set point whilst making it easier for you to lose weight and keep it off.

What happens to the hunger hormone GHRELIN after weight loss surgery?

Ghrelin is a hormone produced predominately in the stomach, especially in the upper part of the stomach known as the fundus.

When the hormone ghrelin is released, signals are sent to our brain to make us feel the urge to eat. In many obese patients, ghrelin secretion levels are altered and this consequently makes them feel they need to eat more than they actually require.

Gastric sleeve surgery removes the portion of the stomach (fundus) where the main production of ghrelin takes place. The stomach size is much smaller so patients will eat smaller portions at meals, but they will also have less appetite and feel greater satiety between meals, so it’s a great combination to combat the “hunger pangs”.

Studies have shown that blood ghrelin levels decrease significantly in patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. This decrease starts from the first day after surgery and lasts long term, unlike patients having procedures such as gastric band, which can cause increased ghrelin levels during the same period of time.

There are circumstances where, after weight loss surgery, a patient doesn’t experience the expected weight loss. It is important to keep in mind that everyone is different and everyone’s body reacts differently to such surgery. We recommend seeing one of our surgeons to discuss your options in order to maximise your chances of success.