[Results of gastric bypass for morbid obesity after a follow up of seven to 10 years]

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of information about the long term effects of gastric bypass for morbid obesity.

Aim: To study the evolution of weight and complications of obesity, seven to 10 years after gastric bypass surgery.

Material and methods: One hundred eighteen subjects with morbid obesity, aged 15 to 66 years (103 women), were followed for a mean of 94 months after surgery. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and hemoglobin were measured before surgery and during follow up.

Results: At 24 months of follow up, all patients lost weight and there was a mild weight increase at 94 months, that paralleled the preoperative body mass index. Diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia subsided in 95, 87 and 94% of cases, respectively. Twenty percent of patients had mild anemia and 11% moderate or severe anemia. No patient recovered the preoperative weight.

Conclusions: Weight reducing effects of gastric bypass are maintained after 94 months of follow up with the expected health benefits.