Most people who have had a gastric band fitted find that they will lose half their extra weight over a two year period.
The goal of gastric banding is slow and continuous weight loss, in the region of one to two pounds a week. It would be realistic to expect to lose in the region of 20 percent of your total body weight in the 12 to 18 months after gastric band surgery.
However the rate varies from person to person and not everyone loses as much weight as they would like after gastric band surgery. Other types of weight loss surgery, such as a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, can achieve significant weight loss faster. However these weight loss surgeries are permanent and come with a higher risk of complications attached.
A gastric band can be removed, but you are likely to put back on the weight you have lost.