Most of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery Maintained Over Time

HealthDay News — Different weight loss patterns are observed following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), with much of the weight loss maintained over time, according to a study published online in JAMA Surgery.

Anita P. Courcoulas, MD, MPH, from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and colleagues examined long-term weight change and health status among 2348 participants, of which 1738 underwent RYGB and 610 underwent LAGB; follow-up weight was obtained for 1300 of 1,569 participants eligible for a year-7 visit.

The researchers found that the mean weight loss was 38.2 kg or 28.4% of baseline weight at 7 years after RYGB; mean weight regain was 3.9% between years 3 and 7. Mean weight loss was 18.8 kg or 14.9% of baseline weight 7 years after LAGB, with regain of 1.4%.

There were 6 distinct weight change trajectory patterns for RYGB and 7 for LAGB. Seven years following both procedures, dyslipidemia prevalence was lower than at baseline; prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was lower following RYGB only.

Of those with diabetes at baseline, the proportion in remission at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years was 71.2%, 69.4%, 64.6%, and 60.2%, respectively, for RYGB, and 30.7%, 29.3%, 29.2%, and 20.3%, respectively, for LAGB.

“Following bariatric surgery, different weight loss patterns were observed, but most participants maintained much of their weight loss,” the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries.

Reference

Courcoulas AP, King WC, Belle SH, et al. Seven-year weight trajectories and health outcomes in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery (LABS) study [published online December 6, 2017]. JAMA Surg. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.5025