Before and after: 135 kg to 75 kg (132 lb lost)
How much weight did Abdulrahman lose after sleeve gastrectomy at 15?
Abdulrahman from Saudi Arabia went from 135 kg to 75 kg after sleeve gastrectomy with Dr. Mohammad Al-Zaitawi, a loss of 60 kg, through daily walking and nutrition follow-up, with improved blood pressure and no more snoring. Results vary from patient to patient.
Abdulrahman in his own words
Abdulrahman from Saudi Arabia. I am 15, I weighed 135 kg, my height is 161 cm, and I had sleeve gastrectomy.
First, I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Mohammad Al-Zaitawi. I was hesitant to have the surgery because I was scared. My family weren’t against the idea of surgery; in fact they encouraged me, and I was the one who was hesitant. I followed and read about the pros and cons of the surgery, and contacted colleagues and friends who had it before me, and they all encouraged me and advised me to do it. In the end I prayed for guidance and decided to have the surgery with Dr. Mohammad Al-Zaitawi, after reading and following the doctor’s social media accounts.
I traveled with my family, arrived in Jordan and was met at the airport. When I met the doctor he encouraged me a lot to do it. Thank God the surgery was easy and successful. I stayed in hospital only three days after the surgery and went straight back to Saudi Arabia.
After that I followed the plan Dr. Sally gave me, and Dr. Sally, God bless her, did everything for me; she always follows me up and gives me advice.
Thank God my weight is now 75 kg, even though I never joined a gym. I just walked and never neglected it; I walk every day. Thank God I bought new clothes in small sizes, and my body looks good despite some mild loose skin. Most important of all is the happiness I feel; honestly, I feel really good about myself and wear the clothes I like. And thank God I recovered from high blood pressure, and the snoring that disturbed everyone at home is gone.
Read the original Arabic
عبدالرحمن من السعودية، عمري 15 سنة، وزني كان 135 وطولي 161، وأجريت عملية تكميم المعدة.
في البداية أقدّم خالص شكري وامتناني للدكتور محمد عبد الوهاب الزيتاوي. كنت متردد أسوي العملية لأني كنت خائف، وأهلي ما كانوا معارضين فكرة العملية بل شجعوني وأنا كنت متردد. تابعت وقرأت عن إيجابيات وسلبيات العملية، وتواصلت مع زملاء وأصدقاء سبقوني في هذه العملية وكلهم شجعوني ونصحوني بإجرائها. في الأخير استخرت الله وقررت أسوي العملية عند الدكتور محمد عبد الوهاب الزيتاوي بعد أن قرأت وتابعت حسابات الدكتور في السوشال ميديا.
سافرت مع أهلي ووصلت الأردن واستقبلوني في المطار، ولما قابلت الدكتور شجعني كثير إني أسويها. والحمد لله العملية كانت سهلة وناجحة، ورقدت في المستشفى فقط ثلاثة أيام بعد العملية ورجعت إلى السعودية على طول.
بعدها مشيت على الجدول اللي زودتني به الدكتورة سالي، وما شاء الله الدكتورة سالي ما قصرت معي، دائماً تتابعني وتعطيني نصائح.
والحمد لله الحين وزني صار 75 كغم، مع أني لم أشترك في الجيم، لكني اكتفيت بالمشي وما أهملته، كل يوم أمشي. والحمد لله اشتريت ملابس جديدة مقاسات صغيرة، وجسمي صار حلو رغم بعض الترهلات البسيطة. والأهم من هذا كله السعادة اللي أنا فيها، والله شعور جميل جداً بنفسي، وألبس اللبس اللي يعجبني. والحمد لله تعافيت من الضغط، واختفى الشخير الذي كان يزعج أهل البيت.
Early obesity and a well-considered family decision
Abdulrahman weighed 135 kg at 161 cm at the age of 15, with high blood pressure and snoring that disturbed the household. He was hesitant and scared, but his family supported him from the start. He read about the pros and cons of the surgery, asked friends who had it, followed Dr. Mohammad Al-Zaitawi’s accounts, and prayed for guidance. For teenagers, the decision is made after a full medical assessment and with the parents’ consent and involvement.
A treatment journey with his family
Abdulrahman traveled from Saudi Arabia to Jordan with his family, was met at the airport by the center’s team, and was encouraged by the doctor at their meeting. His laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was easy and successful; he stayed in hospital only three days and then went home, continuing remotely with dietitian Sally on a meal plan suited to the needs of a growing teenager.
The result: 75 kg, happiness and better health
With daily walking alone and no gym membership, Abdulrahman reached 75 kg, a loss of 60 kg. His blood pressure improved, his snoring stopped, he bought clothes in small sizes and, most importantly, feels happy and at peace with himself at a young age. There is some mild loose skin that can improve over time with exercise and resistance training.
The journey, step by step
- Before surgery: 135 kg at age 15
135 kg at 161 cm, with high blood pressure, disruptive snoring and fear of surgery.
- Family support and research
Family encouragement, reading about the surgery, asking friends who had it and following the doctor’s accounts, then praying for guidance.
- Assessment and sleeve gastrectomy
Traveling with his family, a full medical assessment, an easy and successful laparoscopic sleeve, and three days in hospital.
- Returning home and nutrition follow-up
Following dietitian Sally’s plan suited to his growth stage, and walking every day.
- The result: 75 kg
60 kg lost, improved blood pressure, no snoring, small clothing sizes, happiness and self-confidence.
Sleeve gastrectomy for teenagers is a careful medical decision taken only after a full assessment of growth and physical and psychological health, in the presence of obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure and snoring, and with the family’s full involvement and consent. Abdulrahman’s family support and his commitment to nutrition follow-up and daily walking are why his case succeeded. After surgery, teenagers need regular nutrition follow-up to ensure the protein, vitamins and minerals needed for growth, and any change to blood pressure medication must be supervised by a doctor. Results vary from patient to patient.
This story reflects one patient's experience. Your result depends on your starting weight, health, the chosen procedure and your commitment after surgery. Only a personal medical evaluation can tell you what to expect.
Abdulrahman, a 15-year-old from Saudi Arabia who is 161 cm tall, had laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Dr. Mohammad Al-Zaitawi’s bariatric and laparoscopic surgery center in Jordan with his family’s support and after a full medical assessment. His weight went from 135 kg to 75 kg (a loss of 60 kg) through daily walking and nutrition follow-up with dietitian Sally; his blood pressure improved and his snoring disappeared. Results vary between patients.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight did Abdulrahman lose after sleeve gastrectomy?
He went from 135 kg to 75 kg, a loss of 60 kg, by sticking to his diet and walking every day, without a gym membership.
Can sleeve gastrectomy be done for teenagers aged 15?
It can be done in selected cases of severe obesity in teenagers, especially with related health conditions, after a full medical assessment of growth and physical and psychological health, after non-surgical attempts have failed, and with the parents’ consent and commitment to follow-up. The surgeon decides on suitability case by case.
Does sleeve gastrectomy affect a teenager’s growth?
With regular nutrition follow-up and enough protein, vitamins and minerals, growth continues normally in most teenagers. That is why follow-up with a dietitian and regular tests are an essential part of treatment.
Do snoring and blood pressure improve after a sleeve?
In many patients blood pressure and snoring improve clearly with weight loss, but adjusting or stopping blood pressure medication must only be done under the supervision of the treating doctor.
How does the assessment start for a patient from Saudi Arabia?
You can start with a remote assessment by sending age, weight, height and medical history via WhatsApp +962 79 570 2800, then coordinate the surgery date, airport reception and accommodation, with remote nutrition follow-up after returning to Saudi Arabia.
