Is Weight Loss Better Sustained with Long-Limb Gastric Bypass in the Super-Obese?

Background  

While some studies have shown that long-limb gastric bypass with Roux limb length of 150 to 200 cm can attain better weight loss outcomes in super-obese patients (BMI >50 kg/m²) than the standard limb gastric bypass with Roux limb length of 100 to 150 cm, other studies have not shown similar findings. Additionally, no study has demonstrated the optimal length of the Roux limb that will result in ideal weight loss. The purpose of this study is to compare the long-term weight loss and weight regain of standard limb length (SLL) and long limb length (LLL) gastric bypass in patients with BMI >50 kg/m².     

Gastrogastric Fistula after Gastric Bypass – Is Surgery Always Needed?

Because of regain of weight to BMI 37.1 kg/m² 6 years after a VBG, a 41-year-old female now underwent revision to divided Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, performed laparoscopically. 12 days postoperatively, she started bleeding from the main stomach, and CT scan revealed that the bypassed stomach was distended with clot. She was treated conservatively and stopped bleeding. Upper GI series 2 weeks postoperatively revealed a large gastrogastric fistula between the tiny pouch and the bypassed stomach. We initially planned to close the fistula. However, upper GI series 2 months and 4 months postoperatively showed no sign of gastrogastric fistula, and proton pump inhibitors were stopped. At 1 year after gastric bypass, our patient has had good weight loss.     

Does Patient Compliance with Follow-up Influence Weight Loss After Gastric Bypass Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gastric bypass surgery is an effective intervention to manage morbid obesity. However, there have been suggestions that patients who do not comply to follow-up lose less weight. This study evaluated the influence of patient’s follow-up compliance on weight loss post gastric bypass surgery. From the search of MEDLINE and EMBASE, four studies (n?=?365) were identified and majority of these studies concluded that compliance with follow-up leads to increased weight loss. Our meta-analysis of these studies found increase in the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1-year post gastric bypass surgery (mean difference 6.38 % %EWL, 95 % CI 1.68–11.15) when patients were compliant with follow-up. Therefore, this review found that continued long-term follow up of gastric bypass patients has the potential to increase postoperative weight loss.     

Converting a Sleeve Gastrectomy to a Gastric Bypass for Weight Loss Failure—Is It Worth It?

Background

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is gaining popularity and has become the procedure of choice for many bariatric surgeons. Long-term weight loss failure is not uncommon. The preferred revisional procedure for these patients is still under debate.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic gastric bypass as a revisional surgery for sleeve gastrectomy patients with weight loss failure.

Setting

The study was done at a bariatric surgery center in a university hospital.

Methods

We reviewed our prospectively collected database and identified all patients who underwent conversion of a sleeve gastrectomy to a gastric bypass for weight loss failure. Data on patient demographics, baseline characteristics, and outcomes of bariatric surgery were retrieved.

Results

Twenty-three patients with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 41.6 kg/m2 (range 34.1–50.1 kg/m2) underwent conversion to a gastric bypass. Four patients underwent a gastric band prior to the sleeve gastrectomy, and two patients underwent a re-sleeve gastrectomy prior to conversion to a gastric bypass.At a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 9–46 months), the average body mass index (BMI) decreased to 33.8 kg/m2 and the excess body mass index loss (EBMIL) was 42.6%. Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea resolved or improved in 44.4, 45.5, 50, and 50% of the patients, respectively. Three patients developed early postop complications (13%), while late complications occurred in four patients (17%).

Conclusion

Converting a sleeve gastrectomy to a gastric bypass for weight loss failure is safe, yet weight loss benefit is limited.

     

Does Exercise Improve Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery? A Systematic Review

Bariatric surgery leads to significant weight loss in the obese patient. Exercise has been shown to improve weight loss and body composition in non-surgical weight loss programmes. The role of exercise to improve weight loss following bariatric surgery is unclear. The objective of this review is to systematically appraise the evidence regarding exercise for weight loss in the treatment of obesity in bariatric surgery patients. MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL, EBM Reviews (Cochrane Database, Cochrane Clinical Trials Register) were searched, obesity-related journals were hand-searched and reference lists checked. Studies containing post-surgical patients and exercise were included with the primary outcome of interest being weight loss. A literature search identified 17 publications exploring exercise in bariatric surgery patients. All studies were observational; there were no intervention studies found. The most commonly used instruments to measure activity level were questionnaires followed by telephone interview, surgeon reporting and clinical notes. There was a positive relationship between increased exercise and weight loss after surgery in 15 studies. Meta-analysis demonstrated in patients participating in exercise a standardised mean of 3.62 kg (CI = 1.28, 5.96) greater weight loss compared to the minimal exercise groups. Observational studies suggest that exercise is associated with greater weight loss following bariatric surgery. Randomised controlled trials are required to further examine this relationship.     

Predictive Factors of Weight Loss 1 Year after Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass in Obese Patients

Background  

Substantial weight loss is achieved in majority of severely obese subjects undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) but some fail to obtain expected results. Our aim was to identify preoperative factors that could influence weight loss (WL) 1 year after LGBP.     

Dysphagia Lusoria: A Complication Following Gastric Bypass Surgery?

A 23-year-old Caucasian female presented with progressive dysphagia beginning 5 months following laparoscopic gastric bypass for morbid obesity. She was diagnosed with an aberrant right subclavian artery and underwent a combined right supraclavicular approach and left thoracotomy for resection, with reimplantation of the vessel to the ipsilateral carotid artery. The patient had complete resolution of symptoms.     

Weight Loss Comparison of Gastric Bypass and Silastic® Ring Vertical Gastroplasty

Thirty-five patients who had undergone primary bariatric surgery between 14 January 1988 and 16 September 1990 were selected for retrospective analysis based on the availability of 3-month and 1-year (+/- 3 months) follow-up visit records. Fourteen patients had undergone a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB), and 21 patients had undergone a Silastictrade mark ring vertical gastroplasty (SRVG). Weight loss, pre- and postoperative body mass index (BMI), and the postoperative incidence of dumping syndrome, anemia, and food intolerance were compared. At 1 year (+/- 3 months), the average weight loss was 40 kg for the entire group. The RGB patients lost an average of 41.7 kg, while the SRVG patients lost an average of 39.4 kg (not significant). The average preoperative BMI was 46.4 kg/m(2) for both the RGB and SRVG patients. The 1-year postoperative BMI was 30.6 kg/m(2) for the RGB patients and 32.4 kg/m(2) for the SRVG patients (not significant). One RGB patient developed a dumping syndrome, and one RGB patient showed evidence of a nutritional anemia. Neither complication was incapacitating. The SRVG patients had far more difficulty in advancing the consistency and variety of their diet in the early postoperative period, with only 62% (13/21) of the SRVG patients demonstrating an ability to tolerate a regular consistency diet at the end of 1 year. Seventy-six percent (16/21) of the SRVG patients reported occasional vomiting at 1 year, compared to only 7% (1/14) of the RGB patients. This retrospective analysis documented comparable weight loss for the RGB and SRVG operations. A greater incidence of eating problems up to 1 year postoperatively was observed in patients following SRVG in comparison to RGB.     

Is Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Adequate in the Super-Obese?

Background:The outcome after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) in morbidly obese (MO) (body mass index [BMI] 40-50) was compared with super-obese (SO) (BMI >50) and super-super-obese (SSO) (BMI >60) patients. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 738 consecutive patients who underwent RYGBP. 483 MO were compared with 184 SO and 70 SSO. Study endpoints included: effect on co-morbid conditions, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term results. Statistical analysis utilized SPSS 11.0. Results: Percentage of males was significantly greater in the SO groups (16.5% vs 13%, P=0.01). Obesity-related conditions were significantly more frequent in the SO groups: sleep apnea (38% vs 17%, P<0.0005), gallstones (23% vs 14%, P=0.013); diabetes (29% vs 17%, P=0.002). Hospital stay was longer in the SO groups (5.7±6.1 days vs 4.6±2.6 days, P=0.024). Wound infection was more frequent in the SO groups (4.7% vs 1.4%, P=0.019). Postoperative mortality was greater in the SSO and SO groups (1.6% and 1.4%) than MO (0%) (P=0.019). Incisional hernia was more frequent in the SO groups (14.1% vs 8.6%; P=0.041). There was no significant difference in percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) between the three groups. EWL >50% at 5 years was: MO 81.5%, SO 87.5%, SSO 80%. The surgery was effective in treating the co-morbid conditions. Conclusion: RYGBP achieved significant durable weight loss and effectively treated co-morbid conditions in SO and SSO patients with acceptable postoperative morbidity and slightly greater mortality than in MO patients.     

How Effective Is the Quadruple Concomitant Helicobacter Pylori Eradication Therapy for Obese Patients Undergoing Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Aims and Methods

Our aim was to assess, in obese patients undergoing Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery, the quadruple concomitant HP eradication rates at first line treatment as proposed by the Maastricht IV consensus in areas of high clarithromycin resistance rates—proton pump inhibitor bid, clarithromycin 500 mg bid, amoxicillin 1000 mg bid, and metronidazole 500 mg bid. This is a single center prospective study over a 3-year period. Endoscopy and HP assessment (by histology or C13 urea breath) were performed at baseline, and post treatment HP status was assessed by C13 urea breath test 4–6 weeks after the end of therapy.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 600 adult obese HP positive patients [19 % male/81 % female, age 40.7 (±10.4) years] consecutively scheduled for HP concomitant therapy. HP was eradicated in 416 patients [69.3 % (95% CI 65.5–72.9 %)] and the eradication was independent of gender, age, endoscopic diagnosis, and smoking status (p?>?0.05).

Conclusions

Two weeks quadruple concomitant therapy did not achieve Maastricht recommended first line acceptable HP eradication rates (at least 80 %) in obese Portuguese patients undergoing GB.

     

The Intra-gastric Balloon for Pre-operative Weight Loss in Bariatric Surgery: Is it Worthwhile?

Background

Super-obese patients in NHS Lothian during 2009–2010 were offered the intragastric balloon to assist with weight loss prior to definitive bariatric surgery along with participation in a structured weight management programme. Those who declined balloon placement continued to receive weight management alone (WM). The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the structured weight management programme with and without the addition of the intragastric balloon.

Methods

Patients referred to the NHS Lothian Bariatric Service in 2009 with BMI?>?55 kg/m² or weight?>?200 kg and assessed as otherwise eligible for bariatric surgery were offered structured weight management with or without placement of an intragastric balloon with the aim of achieving a target of 10 % excess weight loss (EWL) over 6 months.

Results

Twenty-eight patients were recruited. Fifteen opted for balloon placement and 13 declined. Three patients in the balloon group required early balloon removal due to intolerance and three dropped out of the WM group through non-attendance. Of those remaining, two in the balloon group and three in the WM group failed to achieve the 10 % EWL target. Overall, median %EWL was 17.1 % for the balloon group and 16.1 % for the WM group (p?=?0.295, Mann–Witney U-test).

Conclusions

The additional use of intragastric balloon conferred no benefit over structured weight management alone in achieving pre-operative weight loss in a super-obese patient population. In the context of limited resources within NHS Lothian, the continued use of intragastric balloon in this way cannot be justified.     

The OTSC?-Clip in Revisional Endoscopy Against Weight Gain After Bariatric Gastric Bypass Surgery

The maintenance of the restrictive component of the Fobi pouch gastric bypass is essential for permanent weight control. Dilatation of the pouch-outlet and of the pouch itself is responsible for substantial weight gain by an increased volume per meal and binge-eating due to the rapid emptying. An endoscopic over-the-scope clip (OTSC?; Ovesco AG, Tübingen, Germany) was applied in 94 patients following gastric bypass and unintended weight gain by dilated gastro-jejunostomy to narrow the pouch-outlet. The OTSC?-clip application was safe and efficient to reduce the pouch-outlet in all cases. Best clinical results were obtained by narrowing the gastro-jejunostomy by placing two clips at opposite sites, hence reducing the outlet of more than 80%. Preferably, the clip approximated the whole thickness of the wall to avoid further dilatation of the anastomosis. Between surgery and OTSC?-clip application the mean BMI dropped from 45.8 (±3.6) to 32.8 (±1.9). At the first follow-up about 3 months (mean 118 days, ±46 days) after OTSC?-clip application the mean BMI was 29.7 (±1.8). At the second follow-up about 1 year (mean 352 days, ±66 days) after OTSC?-clip application the mean BMI was 27.4 (±3.8). The OTSC?-clip for revisional endoscopy after gastric bypass is reliable and effective in treating weight gain due to a dilated pouch-outlet with favorable short- and midterm results.     

Predictive Factors for Insufficient Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery: Does Obstructive Sleep Apnea Influence Weight Loss?

Background

Important endpoints of bariatric surgery are weight loss and improvement of comorbidities, of which obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the highest accompanying comorbidity (70 %). This study aimed to evaluate the influence of OSA on weight loss after bariatric surgery and to provide predictive factors for insufficient weight loss (defined as ≤50 % excess weight loss (EWL)) at 1 year follow-up.

Methods

All consecutive patients, who underwent primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between 2006 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with data on preoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and pre- and postoperative body mass index (BMI) were included. After surgery, the percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) and BMI changes were compared between preoperatively diagnosed OSA-, subdivided in mild, moderate, and severe OSA, and non-OSA patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis evaluated predictive factors for ≤50 % EWL.

Results

A total of 816 patients, 522 (64 %) with and 294 (36 %) without OSA, were included. After 1 year, OSA patients achieved less %EWL than non-OSA patients (65.5 SD 20.7 versus 70.3 SD 21.0; p?<?0.01). The lowest %EWL was seen in severe OSA patients (61.7 SD 20.2). However, when adjusted for waist circumference, BMI, and age, no effect of OSA was seen on %EWL or changes in BMI. Although AHI, gender, age, BMI, type of surgery, and type II diabetes were predictive factors for ≤50 % EWL (area under the curve 0.778), the AHI as variable was of little importance.

Conclusions

The presence of OSA does not individually impair weight loss after bariatric surgery.

     

Analysis of Cost Outliers after Gastric Bypass Surgery: What can we Learn?

Background: A clinical pathway for gastric bypass surgery (GBS) implemented at our institution in 1999 resulted in reduced costs and decreased variability in patient care. However, a reanalysis of GBS hospital costs identified a 16% incidence of"cost outliers".We hypothesized that analysis of clinical variables would identify factors associated with increased hospital costs following GBS. Methods: Medical records and financial data for 91 GBS patients from November 2000 to July 2001 were reviewed. Patients with costs >1 SD above the total hospital cost mean comprised the cost outlier (CO) group, while the remaining patients were considered the normal cost (NC) group. Potential etiologies for COs included patient demographics, the number and severity of medical co-morbidities, surgical factors, and major postoperative complications. Results: There were 15 patients in the CO group, and 76 patients in the NC group. Patient demographics were similar in both groups. Diabetes mellitus and severe medical co-morbidities, especially sleep apnea and degenerative joint disease were more common in the CO group (60% vs 9.2%, P<0.05 vs NC).The incidence of major complications (33% vs 8%) was significantly increased in the CO group (P<0.05 vs NC). Conclusions: Despite utilization of a clinical pathway for GBS, 16% of patients were "cost outliers". Factors associated with increased hospital costs after GBS included severe medical co-morbidities (especially diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea) and the occurrence of major postoperative complications. Prospective identification of "high risk" GBS patients may allow hospitals with bariatric surgery programs to modify perioperative care and eliminate potential cost outliers.     

Laparoscopic “Gastrojejunal Sleeve Reduction” as a Revision Procedure for Weight Loss Failure After Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

Background  

Weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is increasingly reported in the bariatric literature. Laparoscopic sleeve reduction of the gastrojejunal complex is a surgical option to revise a dilated gastric pouch. We report our short-term results.     

Do Support Groups Play a Role in Weight Loss after Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding?

Background: Surgical intervention represents the only treatment with long-term efficacy for morbid obesity. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a minimally invasive operation that is increasing in popularity. We hypothesized that attending support groups is beneficial to achieve optimal weight loss after LAGB. Methods: 38 patients who underwent LAGB between Dec 2002 and Aug 2003 were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups; A included 28 patients who did not attend the support groups (surgery without support groups), and B included 10 patients who attended the support groups (surgery with support groups). Weight loss between the 2 groups was compared over a 1-year period. Results: Patients who attended support groups achieved more weight loss (mean decrease in BMI = 9.7 ± 1.9) than patients who did not attend support groups (mean decrease in BMI = 8.1 ± 2.1), P = 0.0437 (unpaired t-test). Conclusion: Support groups appear to be an important adjunct for patients who undergo LAGB, to achieve and maintain improved weight loss.     

Pre-operative Predictors of Weight Loss at 1-Year after Lap-Band® Surgery

Background: The authors studied a range of preoperative factors for their predictive value of effectivenes of Lap-Band? placement, using the percentage of excess weight loss at 1-year as the outcome measure (%EWL1). Methods: All factors were measured and recorded prior to surgery. Factors included: patient demographics, family, medical and weight history. Laboratory measures and the responses to the SF36 Health Survey were also assessed. Factors were assessed for correlation with %EWL1. Results: The group (N=440, F:M 383:57) had mean age 40.0 ± 9.5 years, weight of 126 ± 25 kg, and BMI 45.6 ± 7.5 kg/m2 pre-operatively. At 1-year follow-up, the group had mean weight 97.6 ± 20 kg, BMI 35.6 ± 6.3 kg/m2, and %EWL1 45.8 ± 17%. Increasing age (R=-0.13, p<0.01) and preoperative BMI (R=-0.22, p<0.001) were significantly associated with less %EWL1 and all other factors were controlled for these before assessing significance. Important factors associated with a lower %EWL1 included: hyperinsulinemia (R=-0.36, p<0.001), insulin resistance (R=-0.33, p<0.001) and disease associated with insulin resistance, poor physical ability, pain, and poor general health responses to the SF-36 Health Survey. Patients who consumed alcohol regularly had a better rate of weight loss (R= 0.23, p<0.005). Factors that had no influence included gender, a history of mental illness and measures of mental health, previous bariatric surgery, and a history of many medical conditions associated with obesity. Conclusion: Important physical factors have been found to influence the rate of weight loss.Those with increased age, pain, physical disability and insulin resistance have a great deal to gain from weight loss. Although this study has identified factors that are associated with less weight loss, we have not found any factor that predicts an unacceptably low weight loss and thus provides a contraindication to Lap-Band? placement. The findings of this study allow us to set more realistic goals for the rate of weight loss in specified sub-groups of our patients.     

A Predictive Model of Weight Loss After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass up to 5 Years After Surgery: a Useful Tool to Select and Manage Candidates to Bariatric Surgery

Introduction

Different factors, such as age, gender, preoperative weight but also the patient’s motivation, are known to impact outcomes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). Weight loss prediction is helpful to define realistic expectations and maintain motivation during follow-up, but also to select good candidates for surgery and limit failures. Therefore, developing a realistic predictive tool appears interesting.

Patients/Methods

A Swiss cohort (n?=?444), who underwent RYGBP, was used, with multiple linear regression models, to predict weight loss up to 60 months after surgery considering age, height, gender and weight at baseline. We then applied our model on two French cohorts and compared predicted weight to the one finally reached. Accuracy of our model was controlled using root mean square error (RMSE).

Results

Mean weight loss was 43.6?±?13.0 and 40.8?±?15.4 kg at 12 and 60 months respectively. The model was reliable to predict weight loss (0.37?<?R²?<?0.48) and RMSE between 5.0 and 12.2 kg. High preoperative weight and young age were positively correlated to weight loss, as well as male gender. Correlations between predicted weight and real weight were highly significant in both validation cohorts (R?≥?0.7 and P?<?0.01) and RMSE increased throughout follow-up between 6.2 and 15.4 kg.

Conclusion

Our statistical model to predict weight loss outcomes after RYGBP seems accurate. It could be a valuable tool to define realistic weight loss expectations and to improve patient selection and outcomes during follow-up. Further research is needed to demonstrate the interest of this model in improving patients’ motivation and results and limit the failures.