Evaluation of health status and quality of life after bariatric surgery: comparison of standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding

Comparison of Intracorporeal Trapezoidal-shaped Gastroduodenostomy and Delta-shaped Anastomosis After Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Single-center Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic/robotic distal gastrectomy (LDG/RDG) as a treatment for early gastric cancer has become increasingly and widely accepted for its minimal invasiveness and proportionate outcomes. Over the years, in addition to the LDG/RDG technique and the lymphadenectomy and gastrectomy procedures, various reconstruction methods have been developed and further improved upon. In particular, the number of minimally invasive intracorporeal anastomosis reconstruction techniques has been increasing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 445 patients with gastric cancer who underwent reconstruction following LDG/RDG via either trapezoidal-shaped gastroduodenostomy (TAPESTRY; n=126) or delta-shaped anastomosis (DSA; n=319) at our hospital between April 2012 and May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Short-term surgical outcomes, including the operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complications, were compared between the 2 groups. Anastomosis-related complications, namely leakage, bleeding, stricture, and delayed gastric emptying, were monitored and graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

All operations were either performed or supervised by qualified surgeons. Patients' characteristics in the TAPESTRY group and the DSA group were biased in terms of the surgical approach, but they were well-balanced after propensity score matching. Overall anastomosis-related complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II or above) within 30 days after surgery in the TAPESTRY group were comparable with those in the DSA group, either all patients (1.5% vs. 5.0%, P=0.115) or after propensity score-matching analysis (2.1% vs. 6.5%, P=0.134). There were no records of reoperation or mortality during hospitalization in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

TAPESTRY was performed safely, with a low rate of anastomosis-related complications. These findings suggest that trapezoidal-shaped gastroduodenostomy could be a feasible option for reconstruction in patients undergoing LDG/RDG.

Psychosocial Consequences of Bariatric Surgery: Two Sides of a Coin: a Scoping Review

This scoping review summarizes current evidence with regard to the impact of bariatric surgery on psychological health in adults with obesity. While a large body of evidence reports major metabolic benefit and improved quality of life, there is also ample evidence suggesting an increased incidence of self-harming behavior, a greater likelihood of developing an alcohol problem and higher rates of completed suicide among bariatric patients. Being able to identify the "at risk" patient population requires more longitudinal research into the risk factors for psychological complications after bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery remains an extremely valuable long-term treatment option for managing obesity; however, there is a need to invest in mitigating psychological complications after the surgery, such as depression, alcohol consumption, and other self-harming behaviors.

Functional Outcomes of Delta-Shaped Anastomosis After Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

We invented a simple and secure method of intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy, the delta-shaped anastomosis (DA), using endoscopic linear stapler only and standardized the DA procedure by resecting two-thirds of the stomach based on the anatomical landmarks. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the standardized DA as the standard reconstruction procedure after a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy assessing functional outcomes including postoperative complications, body weight loss, nutritional status, and endoscopic findings.

METHODS

The medical records of 349 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy from April 2011 to December 2017 at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Functional outcomes were assessed according to nutritional status and endoscopic findings.

RESULTS

The operation time was shorter and complication rate was lower in the standardized DA than those in Billroth-II (BII) and Roux-en-Y (RY). The body weight loss in DA was 10% 1 year postoperatively and remained stable during the follow-up period, which showed no significant difference. The endoscopic findings showed the ratio of residual food in DA was lower than that in RY (DA:RY = 13.3%:13.6% and 8.4%:33.3% at 1 and 3 years postoperatively, respectively). Severe gastritis was extremely rare in DA (6.7% at 1 year and 15.6% at 3 years postoperatively). Bile reflux was more often found in DA than RY (DA:RY = 19.9%:4.8% and 26.6%:0% at 1 and 3 years postoperatively, respectively). Reflux esophagitis was found 10% of DA only.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional outcomes of the standardized DA were satisfactory and feasible. Our intracorporeal Billroth-I reconstruction, by resecting two-thirds of the stomach, can be one of the standard reconstruction methods after a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.

5-Year Results of Banded One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: a Pilot Study in Super-Obese Patients

BACKGROUND

The novel banded one-anastomosis gastric bypass (B-OAGB) procedure has not previously been reported in super-obese patients over the long term. In this pilot study, outcomes in patients with a mean baseline body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) of ≥ 50 who underwent B-OAGB were evaluated through 5-year follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Total weight loss (TWL), excess weight loss (EWL), BMI evolution, and changes in type 2 diabetes biomarkers were analyzed prospectively in super-obese patients who underwent B-OAGB. Paired samples t tests were used to assess weight outcome change from baseline through 5-year follow-up and 95% CIs were calculated. The Bariatric Outcomes and Reporting System (BAROS) was used to assess surgical success at 3 time points.

RESULTS

Between October 2013 and February 2014, a 12-patient pilot cohort (mean baseline BMI 57.5 ± 6.3) underwent B-OAGB. No perioperative complications were observed within 30 days. Five-year mean BMI was 31.2 ± 5.4, a BMI loss of 25.9 (TWL 45.3 ± 7.5%; EWL 72.2 ± 12.8%). Between 11 and 24 months following surgery, 3 patients required band removal; each had one complication (1 stasis esophagitis and recurrent vomiting; 1 hypoalbuminemia; 1 anemia). There was no mortality. Long-term B-OAGB BAROS subscale and composite scores were comparable to other major bariatric procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

In a pilot study of super-obese patients who underwent B-OAGB, excellent durable BMI loss of 25.9 kg/m² (EWL 72.2%) at 5 years was achieved with an acceptable level of reoperation. More B-OAGB long-term follow-up studies are necessary to provide definitive conclusions regarding this combination bariatric procedure.

Comparison of Postoperative Nutritional Status after Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Using Three Reconstructive Methods: a Multicenter Study of over 1300 Patients

PURPOSE

Perioperative nutritional status has been reported to be associated with short- and long-term outcomes after surgery in gastric cancer patients. This study compared changes in nutritional status after distal gastrectomy using the Billroth I (BI), Billroth II (BII), and Roux-en-Y (RY) reconstruction techniques in gastric cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 1305 gastric cancer patients who underwent distal gastrectomy at two tertiary hospitals from January 2011 to December 2016 were reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups according to reconstruction type: BI, BII, and RY. We evaluated changes in nutritional parameters including body mass index (BMI), biochemical data, the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), nutritional risk index (NRI), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) preoperatively, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Total protein, albumin, PNI, and NRI were significantly lower in the BII group than in the BI and RY groups during follow-up (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, reconstruction types were independently related to decreases in BMI (> 10%), low serum protein, albumin, and cholesterol 12 months after surgery. Compared with BI, BII was associated with decreased BMI, low protein, and albumin and RY was associated with decreased BMI and low cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

During the first year after gastric cancer surgery, postoperative nutritional status differed according to the reconstruction type; BI resulted in the least weight and nutritional loss, RY yielded results comparable with BI in the nutritional indexes, and BII resulted in the greatest nutritional loss.

Predicting Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life after Bariatric Surgery Using a Conventional Neural Network: A Study Based on the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry

Severe obesity has been associated with numerous comorbidities and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Although many studies have reported changes in HRQoL after bariatric surgery, few were long-term prospective studies. We examined the performance of the convolution neural network (CNN) for predicting 5-year HRQoL after bariatric surgery based on the available preoperative information from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry (SOReg). CNN was used to predict the 5-year HRQoL after bariatric surgery in a training dataset and evaluated in a test dataset. In general, performance of the CNN model (measured as mean squared error, MSE) increased with more convolution layer filters, computation units, and epochs, and decreased with a larger batch size. The CNN model showed an overwhelming advantage in predicting all the HRQoL measures. The MSEs of the CNN model for training data were 8% to 80% smaller than those of the linear regression model. When the models were evaluated using the test data, the CNN model performed better than the linear regression model. However, the issue of overfitting was apparent in the CNN model. We concluded that the performance of the CNN is better than the traditional multivariate linear regression model in predicting long-term HRQoL after bariatric surgery; however, the overfitting issue needs to be mitigated using more features or more patients to train the model.

Postural Changes After Abdominoplasty in Morbid Obese Patients

BACKGROUND

In the multidisciplinary treatment of obesity, the role of a plastic surgeon is to remove the excess of skin after weight loss to obtain cosmetic, functional, and psychological benefits. Obesity modifies body geometry, increases the mass of different segments, and imposes functional limitations in life activities that may predispose the obese to injury. The authors evaluated the postural conditions of obese patients, before and 12 months after surgery.

METHODS

The study included 15 obese patients of both genders affected by class II obesity. Postural function was evaluated preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Patients underwent conventional abdominoplasty surgical procedure. In all patients, plantar pressure distribution and balance (stabilometric test) were evaluated before and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The static pedobarographic revealed a significant reduction in forefoot peak pressure; total plantar force; rearfoot plantar force percentage; midfoot plantar force percentage; and forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot plantar contact areas percentage 3 months after surgery; the dynamic's one showed a reduction in the first metatarsal peak pressure and plantar contact. The stabilometric values showed a reduction in the range of center of foot pressure (CP) displacement along y axis, the average displacement of the CP speed from the mean (RMS y velocity), and CP mean peak in the condition of vision.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the beneficial effect of dermolipectomies and the consequential weight loss on postural stability of obese men. Such findings may support the hypothesis that dermolipectomy may improve postural stability with and without vision. The data demonstrate that the benefits are related to the magnitude of the resected tissue.

Ten Years After Bariatric Surgery: Bad Quality of Life Promotes the Need of Psychological Interventions

Background: This study aims to evaluate long-term quality of life (QoL) and primary clinical outcomes, 10 years after biliointestinal bypass (BIB) surgery. It was expected that, although BIB might show encouraging primary outcomes, long term QoL could be significantly impaired. Methods: Ninety patients were contacted for a phone interview [age 41.0 ± 10.6 (mean ± SD) years, age-range 31-65 years]. QoL (by SF-36) and the clinical situation (by ad hoc questionnaire) were collected. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22. SF-36 scores were compared with Italian normative data from general and healthy population. We also compared primary clinical outcomes and SF-36 scores between patients who reported high and low levels of satisfaction with BIB. Results: Considering SF-36 results, patients showed significant impairments in QoL compared to general and healthy populations. Sixty-five percent would repeat the BIB. All patients showed at least one chronic adverse event. It occurred a significant decrease in pre-post co-occurrence rates of diabetes (χ2 = 18.41; p < 0.001) and hypertension (χ2 = 50.27; p < 0.001). Large and significant weight loss indexes (i.e., percent excess weight loss (%EWL); body mass index) were observed between pre-post intervention. Conclusion: BIB showed promising primary clinical outcomes (i.e., hypertension, diabetes, and weight loss). However, subjects reported a significant impairment in all SF-36 domains. Ad hoc psychological interventions should be implemented to ameliorate the quality of life of these patients.

The effect of omentectomy added to bariatric surgery on metabolic outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Excess visceral adipose tissue has been identified as an important risk factor for obesity-related co-morbidities. Conflicting information exists on whether omentectomy added to bariatric surgery is beneficial to metabolic variables.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of omentectomy added to bariatric surgery on metabolic outcomes SETTING: University Hospital, Canada.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched up to May 2018. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were randomized controlled trials comparing omentectomy added to bariatric surgery with bariatric surgery alone. Primary outcome measures were absolute change in metabolic variables (body mass index, insulin, glucose, cholesterol, lipoproteins, and triglycerides); secondary outcomes were changes in adipocytokines. Pooled mean differences (mean deviation; MD) were calculated using random effects meta-analyses, and heterogeneity was quantified using the I² statistic.

RESULTS

Ten trials involving a total of 366 patients met the inclusion criteria with a median follow-up time of 1 year after surgery. Adding omentectomy to bariatric surgery demonstrated a minimal but statistically significant decrease in body mass index compared with bariatric surgery alone (MD 1.29, 95% confidence interval .35-2.23, P = .007, I² = 0%, 10 trials). Conversely, patients who underwent bariatric surgery alone had significant increases in high-density lipoprotein (MD -2.12, 95% confidence interval -4.13 to -.11, P = .04, I² = 0%, 6 trials). Other metabolic outcomes and adipocytokines showed no significant difference between procedures.

CONCLUSION

The addition of omentectomy to bariatric surgery results in minimal reduction of body mass index. Considering no overall improvement in metabolic outcomes and the time and effort required, the therapeutic use of omentectomy added to bariatric surgery is not warranted.

Optimal reconstruction methods after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The choice of anastomosis methods including Billroth I, Billroth II, and Roux-en-Y after a distal gastrectomy is still controversial. The conventional meta-analyses assessing 2 alternative treatments were not powered to compare differences in clinical outcomes. To guide treatment decisions in patients with gastric cancer (GC) after distal gastrectomy, we did a systematic review and network meta-analysis to identify the best reconstruction method.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials comparing the outcomes of Billroth I, Billroth II, or Roux-en-Y reconstruction after distal subtotal gastrectomy for patients with GC, then we performed a direct meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis to pooled odds ratios (OR) or weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% credible intervals (CrI) with random effects model. The node-splitting method was used to assess the inconsistency. We estimated the potential ranking probability of treatments by calculating the surface under the cumulative ranking curve for each intervention.

RESULTS

Nine studies involving 1161 patient were included in the network meta-analysis. Statistical significance was reached for the comparisons of Roux-en-Y versus Billroth I reconstruction (WMD 37, 95% Crl: 22-51) and Billroth II versus Billroth I reconstruction (WMD 25, 95% Crl: 5.8-43) for operation time; and Roux-en-Y versus Billroth I reconstruction (WMD 26, 95% Crl: 2.1-68) for intraoperative blood loss; and Roux-en-Y versus Billroth I reconstruction (OR 3.4, 95% Crl: 1.1-13) for delayed gastric emptying. Roux-en-Y reconstruction was superior to Billroth I and Billroth II reconstruction in terms of frequency of bile reflux (OR 0.095, 95% Crl: 0.010-0.63; OR 0.064, 95% Crl: 0.0037-0.84, respectively) and the incidence of remnant gastritis (OR 0.33, 95% Crl: 0.16-0.58; OR 0.40, 95% Crl: 0.17-0.92, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Roux-en-Y reconstruction is superior to Billroth I and Billroth II reconstruction in terms of preventing bile reflux and remnant gastritis, Billroth I and Billroth II anastomosis could be considered as the substitute in consideration of technical simplicity. As for postoperative morbidity and the advantage of physiological food passage, Billroth I method is the choice.

Quality of Life After Bariatric Surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to quality of life (QOL) outcomes after bariatric surgery and a summary of the current evidence.

RECENT FINDINGS

QOL has been emphasized in bariatric surgery since the NIH Consensus Conference statement in 1991. Initial studies were limited to 1- and 2-year follow-up. More recent findings have expanded the follow-up period up to 12 years, providing a better description of the impact on long-term QOL. Overall, there is little to no consensus regarding the definition of QOL or the ideal survey. Bariatric surgery has the greatest impact on physical QOL, and the impact on mental health remains unclear. There are some specific and less frequently reported threats to quality of life after bariatric surgery that are also discussed. Obesity has a definite impact on quality of life, even without other comorbidities, and surgery for obesity results in significant and lasting improvements in patient-reported quality of life outcomes. This conclusion is limited by a wide variety of survey instruments and absence of consensus on the definition of QOL after bariatric surgery.

Long-term effects of gastric bypass surgery on psychosocial well-being and eating behavior: not all that glitters is gold

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate long-term effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on physical and psychosocial health as well as eating behavior of obese patients.

METHODS

We compared 23 patients 7 years after RYGB to 23 body mass index (BMI), sex, and age matched obese control patients by means of self-reporting questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form (Q-LES-Q SF), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data are presented as median ± interquartile rage.

RESULTS

Physical health had improved and body image (80 ± 25% vs. 20 ± 49%, p < 0.001) was better in post-RYGB patients when compared to controls. HADS-depression score (4 ± 8 vs. 11 ± 9; p = 0.005) was lower post-RYGB. Satisfaction with physical health (2 ± 2 vs. 2 ± 1, p = 0.037), daily life functioning (4 ± 2 vs. 2 ± 2, p = 0.050), and hobbies (4 ± 1 vs. 2 ± 2, p = 0.011) was higher post-RYGB, but social relationships and sexual performance were not perceived as superior. In addition, post-RYGB patients were more prone to eat on external cues (13 ± 7 vs. 19 ± 13; p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Seven years post-RYGB, patients reported a significant improvement of physical health and higher satisfaction with daily life, but not with social relationships or sexual performance. Eating behavior post-RYGB was more influenced by external cues.

Outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a bariatric unit in South Africa

Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has gained popularity over the years as a standalone procedure. In 2014, it was the most rapidly growing bariatric procedure. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes of LSG at a single bariatric unit in Johannesburg, South Africa, using the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) standardised scoring.

Methods

A retrospective record review and analysis was carried out using data collected from patients who had LSGs. The information obtained included patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative weight and height, operative technique, time and complications, postoperative gastrografin swallow results, hospital stay, and weight at 6 months postoperatively. The percentage of excess body mass index (BMI) loss (%EBMIL) was calculated at 6 months, and included in the BAROS questionnaire completed by the patients at the 6-month follow-up visit. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 103 patients were included in the study; of these, 85.4% were female and 14.6% were male. The mean preoperative BMI was 42.1 kg/m²; additionally, 77.7% of the patients in the study had comorbidities prior to the procedure. The mean operative time was 104.3 min, with a mean hospital stay of 2.5 days. No mortalities occurred, and a complication rate of 7.7% was encountered. At the 6-month follow-up, the mean %EBMIL was 65%. When followed up at 6 months, all 103 patients demonstrated no failures according to the BAROS assessment. It was found that 96.1% had good, very good or excellent outcomes. In total, 9.7% of the patients had an excellent outcome.

Conclusions

LSG was shown to produce an adequate %EBMIL loss at 6 months, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of life (QoL), coupled with good BAROS outcomes. The results of this research are comparable to other studies of LSGs, and the low complication rate supports the use of the procedure and accounts for no observed mortality.

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First study of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy performed in South Africa.

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Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy produces an adequate percentage excess BMI loss at 6 months.

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A significant improvement in the quality of life was observed.

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Results of this research are comparable to other studies of LSGs.

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Low complication rate supports the use of the procedure.

Quality of life and bariatric surgery: a systematic review of short- and long-term results and comparison with community norms

Currently the effects of bariatric surgery are generally expressed in excess weight loss or comorbidity reduction. Therefore the aim of this review was to provide insight in the available prospective evidence regarding the short and long-term effects of bariatric surgery on Quality of Life (QoL) and a comparison with community norms. A systematic multi-database search was conducted for 'QoL' and 'Bariatric surgery'. Only prospective studies with QoL before and after bariatric surgery were included. The 'Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After Studies with No Control Group' was used to assess the methodological quality. Thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were assessed to be of 'fair' to 'good' methodological quality. Ten different questionnaires were used to measure QoL. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 10 years, sample sizes from 26 to 1276 and follow-up rates from 45 to 100%. A significant increase in QoL after bariatric surgery was found in all studies (P⩽0.05), however, mostly these outcomes stay below community norms. Only outcomes of the IWQoL, SF-36 and OWQoL show QoL outcomes that exceed community norms. The QoL is increased after bariatric surgery on both the short and long term. However, due to the heterogeneity of the studies and the generality of the questionnaires is it hard to make a distinction between different surgeries and difficult to see a relation with medical profit. Therefore, tailoring QoL measurements to the bariatric population is recommended as the focus of future studies.

Consequences of bariatric surgery on oesophageal function in health and disease

Obesity is a continuing epidemic with substantial associated morbidity and mortality. Owing to the limitations of lifestyle modifications and pharmacological options, bariatric surgery has come to the forefront as an efficient method of achieving sustained weight loss and decreasing overall mortality in comparison with nonsurgical interventions. The most frequently performed bariatric operations are either purely restrictive, such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), or restrictive-malabsorptive, such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Each operation results in weight loss, but can also have unintended effects on the health of the oesophagus. Specifically, operations might lead to oesophageal dilation or the development of GERD. LAGB is the best-studied procedure with notable evidence for postoperative worsening of GERD and pseudo-achalasia, which increases lower oesophageal pressure and causes aperistalsis. In some studies, LSG initiates not only a worsening of GERD, but also the formation of de novo GERD in patients without preoperative GERD symptoms. RYGB demonstrates the most profound evidence for improvement of GERD symptoms and preservation of oesophageal motility. Future high-quality studies will be required to better understand the interaction between bariatric surgery and oesophageal disease.

Comparative study of five different surgical techniques for the treatment of morbid obesity using BAROS

Background

The obesity is an universal disease of epidemic proportions and in a growing prevalence. It is one of the main public health problems and it will be inexorably the largest problem of the developing world. The morbid obesity is associated to serious diseases, reducing the life perspective, increasing the morbility and mortality. Several strategies of losing weight were proposed; however, the bariatric surgeries are today the most effective treatment for this disease. The BAROS is the most simple, practical and efficient method to evaluate the results in the bariatric surgeries.

Aim

To compare five surgical techniques for the treatment of morbid obesity using BAROS.

Method

The sample is constituted of 102 patients submitted to Fobi-Capella (23 patients), Scopinaro (21 patients), duodenal switch (20 patients), vertical banded gastroplasty of Mason (15 patients) and the adjustable gastric band (23 patients), evaluated 12 months after the surgeries using BAROS.

Results

The analysis of the final result of BAROS for the classification demonstrated that good, very good and excellent results were obtained in 100% of the patients in the group of duodenal switch; 91,3% in Fobi-Capella; 85,7% in Scopinaro; 60% in Mason; and 56,5% in adjustable gastric band. The final result of BAROS for the total score demonstrated that the group of duodenal switch obtained 6,3 points; the Fobi-Capella 5,1 points; the Scopinaro 4,8 points; the Mason 3,0 points; and the adjustable gastric band 2,9 points (p<0,0001).

Conclusion

The duodenal switch is the best technique for the surgical treatment of the morbid obesity, in the following 12 months post-surgical clinical procedures, according to BAROS.

Psychological predictors of mental health and health-related quality of life after bariatric surgery: a review of the recent research

BACKGROUND

Improvement of mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important success criterion for bariatric surgery. In general, mental health and HRQOL improve after surgery, but some patients experience negative psychological reactions postoperatively and the influence of pre-surgical psychological factors on mental wellbeing after surgery is unclear. The aim of the current article therefore is to review recent research investigating psychological predictors of mental health and HRQOL outcome.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, PsycInfo and Web of Science for studies investigating psychological predictors of either mental health or HRQOL after bariatric surgery. Original prospective studies published between 2003 and 2012 with a sample size >30 and a minimum of 1 year follow-up were included.

RESULTS

Only 10 eligible studies were identified. The findings suggest that preoperative psychological factors including psychiatric symptoms, body image and self-esteem may be important for mental health postoperatively. Predictors of postoperative HRQOL seem to include personality, severe psychiatric disorder at baseline and improvement of depressive symptoms. In addition, psychiatric symptoms that persist after surgery and inappropriate eating behaviour postoperatively are likely to contribute to poor health-related quality of life outcome.

CONCLUSION

Certain psychological factors appear to be important for mental health and HRQOL after bariatric surgery. However, the literature is extremely sparse and further research is highly needed.

Clinical outcomes of the Realize Adjustable Gastric Band-C at 2 years in a United States population

BACKGROUND

In 2008, the Realize Band (RB) adopted a precurved design (RB-C). We present 2-year outcomes data from the first multiinstitutional study of RB-C. The objective of this study was to analyze weight loss and safety data from bariatric practices in the United States, including academic, nonacademic, public, and private.

METHODS

The study included adult RB-C patients with a preoperative body mass index (BMI)≥40 kg/m(2) or >35 kg/m(2) with co-morbidity. Exclusions included RB-C's label contraindications for use. Outcomes parameters were percent excess weight loss (%EWL), BMI change, number and volume of band adjustments, and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 231 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Of these, 161 had 24-month data available. Mean %EWL was 44.4%±26.9% (P<.0001). BMI decreased from 44.1±5.7 kg/m(2) to 35.3±6.9 kg/m(2) (P<.0001). Percent EWL varied by preoperative BMI (P = .0002), bariatric practice (P<.0001), aftercare frequency (P = .0004), and band fill frequency (P = .0271), but %EWL was not influenced by gender, race, or age (P>.20 each). Adverse events were dysphagia (21.2%), gastroesophageal reflux (21.6%), and vomiting (30.7%). Incidence of pouch dilation, esophageal dilation, and slippage was ≤1%. Revisions (2.2%) were for unbuckled band, tube kinking, slippage, and suspected band leak (1 each). No erosions, explants, or mortality were reported.

CONCLUSION

RB-C appears to be as well tolerated and effective as the first generation RB for weight loss. The near 45% EWL at 2 years is consistent with other high-quality publications on the RB. Preoperative BMI and frequency of postoperative care, including frequency of band fills, influence %EWL. Significant weight loss is achievable with RB-C despite variable postoperative management practices. The low morbidity and the absence of mortality at 24 months reflect positively on the RB-C characteristics.

Bariatric surgery: the challenges with candidate selection, individualizing treatment and clinical outcomes

Obesity is recognized as a global health crisis. Bariatric surgery offers a treatment that can reduce weight, induce remission of obesity-related diseases, and improve the quality of life. In this article, we outline the different options in bariatric surgery and summarize the recommendations for selecting and assessing potential candidates before proceeding to surgery. We present current data on post-surgical outcomes and evaluate the psychosocial and economic effects of bariatric surgery. Finally, we evaluate the complication rates and present recommendations for post-operative care.

Prevalence and desire for body contouring surgery in postbariatric patients in saudi arabia

Background:

Morbid obesity has become a common problem worldwide and as a result the demand for bariatric surgery has increased as well. Most patients develop skin redundancy and sagging at many body parts after major weight loss procedures which increased the demand for body contouring procedures.

Aims:

The study was to address the prevalence and patient's desire for body contouring procedures.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study targeting the postbariatric patients from April 2011 to October 2011 was conducted at our hospital. Questionnaire was administered in order to measure frequency and patients desire to undergo body contouring surgery after massive weight loss.

Results:

The total number of patients was 128 patients. The mean age of our patients was 37-year old (range 18-56 year). The percentage of the desire for body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery was 78.1%. There was very pronounced desire to body contouring surgery after those who underwent gastric bypass surgery with P-value 0.001. Only 18 patients (14%) have underwent body contouring surgery, with a total of 29 procedures, in which abdominoplasty considered the most commonly procedure performed (57%).

Conclusion:

With the increasing number of weight loss surgery, there is higher number of patients that desire a body contouring surgery, which create huge disparity between demand and accessibility.

Criteria for Patient Selection and Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment of the Weight Loss Surgery Patient

OBJECTIVE

To provide evidence-based guidelines for patient selection and to recommend the medical and nutritional aspects of multidisciplinary care required to minimize perioperative and postoperative risks in patients with severe obesity who undergo weight loss surgery (WLS).

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Members of the Multidisciplinary Care Task Group conducted searches of MEDLINE and PubMed for articles related to WLS in general and medical and nutritional care in particular. Pertinent abstracts and literature were reviewed for references. Multiple searches were carried out for various aspects of multidisciplinary care published between 1980 and 2004. A total of 3000 abstracts were identified; 242 were reviewed in detail.

RESULTS

We recommended multidisciplinary screening of WLS patients to ensure appropriate selection; preoperative assessment for cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and other obesity-related diseases associated with increased risk for complications or mortality; preoperative weight loss and cessation of smoking; perioperative prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE); preoperative and postoperative education and counseling by a registered dietitian; and a well-defined postsurgical diet progression.

DISCUSSION

Obesity-related diseases are often undiagnosed before WLS, putting patients at increased risk for complications and/or early mortality. Multidisciplinary assessment and care to minimize short- and long-term risks include: comprehensive medical screening; appropriate pre-, peri-, and postoperative preparation; collaboration with multiple patient care disciplines (e.g., anesthesiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, and psychology); and long-term nutrition education/counseling.

Personality as a Predictor of Weight Loss Maintenance after Surgery for Morbid Obesity

OBJECTIVE

Personality characteristics are assumed to underlie health behaviors and, thus, a variety of health outcomes. Our aim was to examine prospectively whether personality traits predict short- and long-term weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Of patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, 168 (143 women, 25 men, 18 to 58 years old, mean 37 years, preoperative BMI 45.9 +/- 5.6 kg/m(2)) completed the Dutch Personality Questionnaire on average 1.5 years before the operation. The relationship between preoperative personality and short- and long-term postoperative weight loss was determined using multilevel regression analysis.

RESULTS

The average weight loss of patients progressively increased to 10 BMI points until 18 months after surgery and stabilized thereafter. A lower baseline BMI, being a man, and a higher educational level were associated with a lower weight loss. None of the personality variables was associated with weight outcome at short-term follow-up. Six of seven personality variables did not predict long-term weight outcome. Egoism was associated with less weight loss in the long-term postoperative period. The effect sizes of the significant predictions were small.

DISCUSSION

None of the personality variables predicted short-term weight outcome, and only one variable showed a small and unexpected association with long-term weight outcome that needs confirmation. This suggests that personality assessment as intake psychological screening is of little use for the prediction of a poor or successful weight outcome after bariatric surgery.

Reduced cardiovascular risk following bariatric surgeries is related to a partial recovery from "adiposopathy"

BACKGROUND

Altered cytokine secretion from dysfunctional adipose tissue or "adiposopathy" is implicated in obesity related inflammation and may mediate reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in response to weight loss after bariatric surgery. We hypothesized that bariatric surgery reduces CVD risk by favorably altering the pro-inflammatory profile of adipose tissue as a result of weight loss.

METHODS

In this observational study with repeated measures, 142 patients underwent bariatric surgery of which 45 returned for follow-up at ∼6 months. At both time-points, lipid profiles and levels of plasma adiponectin, leptin, and TNF-α were obtained. Ratios of various adipokine parameters were related to pre- and post- surgical (gastric bypass vs. other restrictive bariatric procedures) lipid ratios.

RESULTS

Prior to surgery, circulating adiponectin and the adiponectin/TNF-α ratio was strongly associated with CVD risk characterized by levels of triglycerides, HDL, and the TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, and TG/HDL ratios (all P < 0.05). Following bariatric surgery, BMI was decreased by 22%, adiponectin was increased by 93%, and leptin decreased by 50% as compared to baseline (all P < 0.01). TNF-α levels increased by 120% (P < 0.01) following surgery. Post-surgical changes in adiponectin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio were strongly associated with incremental improvements in triglycerides, HDL, and TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratios (all P < 0.05). Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) as compared to other bariatric procedures was associated with more robust improvements in BMI, HDL, and leptin/adiponectin ratio than other gastric restrictive procedures (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, bariatric surgery, especially RYGB, ameliorates CVD risk through a partial recovery from "adiposopathy", distinctively characterized by improved adiponectin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio.

Evaluation of quality of life in severely obese patients after bariatric surgery carried out in the public healthcare system

OBJECTIVES: To assess QoL of obese patients in the Brazilian public healthcare system, before and after bariatric surgery, and to determine the appropriateness of the Moorehead-Ardelt Questionnaire II (M-A-QoLQII) compared with the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-one severe obese patients in a waiting-list, and 84 patients who underwent bariatric surgery were included. Correlations were tested and reliability determined by the Cronbach's coefficient. RESULTS: BMI differed between the pre- and post-surgery groups (52.3 ± 8.3 kg/m² vs. 32.5 ± 6.4 kg/m², p < 0.001). The latter showed better scores in the SF-36 domains than in the pre-surgery. SF-36 and M-A-QoLQII categories were correlated (r = 0.53, 0.49 and 0.47, for vitality, mental health, and general health domains, p < 0.001). In the logistic regression, age, previous BMI, and loss of excess weight were associated with functional capacity. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of bariatric surgery obtained in a Brazilian public healthcare center were successful. M-A-QoLII represents a useful tool to assess surgery outcomes, including QoL.

Six-year changes in health-related quality of life in gastric bypass patients versus obese comparison groups

BACKGROUND

Few studies have evaluated the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery patients in relation to obese individuals not participating in weight loss interventions. Our objective was to evaluate the 6-year changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in gastric bypass (GB) patients versus 2 obese groups not undergoing surgical weight loss. The study setting was a bariatric surgery practice.

METHODS

A total of 323 GB patients were compared with 257 individuals who sought but did not undergo gastric bypass and 272 population-based obese individuals using weight-specific (impact of weight on quality of life-lite) and general (medical outcomes study short-form 36 health survey) HRQOL questionnaires at baseline and 2 and 6 years later.

RESULTS

At 6 years, compared with the controls, the GB group exhibited significant improvements in all domains of weight-specific and most domains of general HRQOL (i.e., all physical and some mental/psychosocial). The 6-year percentage of excess weight loss correlated significantly with improvements in both weight-specific and physical HRQOL. The HRQOL scores were fairly stable from 2 to 6 years for the GB group, with small decreases in HRQOL corresponding to some weight regain.

CONCLUSIONS

GB patients demonstrated significant improvements in most aspects of HRQOL at 6 years compared with 2 nonsurgical obese groups. Despite some weight regain and small decreases in HRQOL from 2 to 6 years postoperatively, the HRQOL was relatively stable. These results support the effectiveness of weight loss achieved with gastric bypass surgery for improving and maintaining long-term HRQOL.

Influence of reoperations on long-term quality of life after restrictive procedures: a prospective study

Quality of life improves after bariatric surgery. However, long-term results and the influence of reoperations are not well known. A prospective quality of life assessment before, 1 and 7 years after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) was performed in order to determine the influence of reoperations during follow-up. One hundred patients were included in the study. Fifty patients underwent VBG and 50 LAGB. Patients completed the quality of life questionnaires prior to surgery and two times during follow-up. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires included the Nottingham Health Profile I and II and the Sickness Impact Profile 68. Follow-up was 84% with a mean duration of 84 months (7 years). During follow-up, 65% of VBG patients underwent conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass while 44% of LAGB patients underwent a reoperation or conversion. One year after the procedure, nearly all quality-of-life parameters significantly improved. After 7 years, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP)-I domain “physical ability”, the NHP-II and the SIP-68 domains “mobility control”, “social behavior”, and “mobility range” were still significantly improved in both groups. The domains “emotional reaction”, “social isolation” (NHP-I), and “emotional stability” (SIP-68) remained significantly improved in the VBG group while this was true for the domain “energy level” (NHP-I) in the LAGB group. Both the type of procedure and reoperations during follow-up were not of significant influence on the HRQoL results. Weight loss and decrease in comorbidities were the only significant factors influencing quality of life. Restrictive bariatric surgery improves quality of life. Although results are most impressive 1 year after surgery, the improvement remains significant after long-term follow-up. Postoperative quality of life is mainly dependent on weight loss and decrease in comorbidities and not on the type of procedure or surgical complications.

Quality of life parameters, weight change and improvement of co-morbidities after laparoscopic Roux Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection--comparative study

The laparoscopic Roux Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and the laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection are frequently used methods for the treatment of morbid obesity. Quality of life, weight loss and improvement of the co-morbidities were examined. Match pair analysis of the prospectively collected database of the 47 gastric bypass and 47 gastric sleeve resection patients operated on in our hospital was performed. The quality of life parameters were measured with two standard questionnaires (SF 36 and Moorehead-Ardelt II). The mean preoperative and postoperative BMI was in gastric bypass group 46.1 and 28.1 kg/m(2) (mean follow-up: 15.7 months) and in gastric sleeve group 50.3 and 33.5 kg/m(2) (mean follow-up: 38.3 months). The SF 36 questionnaire yielded a mean total score of 671 for the bypass and 611 for the sleeve resection patients (p = 0.06). The Moorehead-Ardelt II test signed a total score of 2.09 for gastric bypass versus 1.70 for gastric sleeve patients (p = 0.13). Ninety percent of the diabetes was resolved in the bypass and 55% in the sleeve resection group. Seventy-three percent of the hypertension patients needed no more antihypertensive treatment after gastric bypass and 30% after sleeve resection. Ninety-two percent of the gastro-oesophageal reflux were resolved in the bypass group and 25% in the sleeve (with 33% progression) group. Ninety-four percent of the patients were satisfied with the result after gastric bypass and 90% after sleeve resection. The patients have scored a high level of satisfaction in both study groups. The gastric bypass is associated with a trend toward a better quality of life without reaching statistical significance, pronounced loss of weight and more remarkable positive effects on the co-morbidities comparing with the gastric sleeve resection.

The current status of bariatric surgery

As the incidence of obesity continues to rise, increasing numbers of patients are undergoing bariatric surgery to address morbid obesity and weight related health issues. Bariatric procedures aim to reduce dietary intake and/or interfere with food absorption and are now in widespread use but with a huge capacity shortfall leading to a degree of rationing of the resource. Such treatment should be regarded as palliative in that it does not cure the underlying disorder, and guidelines have been produced to define which patients should be considered for this type of surgery, which must be undertaken in a multidisciplinary setting. Long term results show this to be a cost-effective intervention with a durable positive impact on cardiac risk factors and in particular type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnoea, together with a reduction in all cause mortality and malignancy and an improvement in quality of life. Systematic data collection has now started in the UK and will assist in defining the best application of the resource.

[Our experiences with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and description of the surgical technique]

The incidence of severe obesity and its co-morbidities are growing all over the world. Good long term results can be achieved in only in 5% of the patients by conservative treatment, so bariatric surgical procedures to decrease body weight are more often applied recently. The most often performed bariatric surgical intervention is the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, which effectively decreases body weight in addition to having a favourable effect on the relatively frequent co-morbidities associated with severe obesity (such as diabetes type II, hypertension, gastro-esophageal reflux and locomotor diseases).

METHOD

The authors report the results of 47 patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and details of the applied surgical procedure are also described. The indication was a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 40 kg/m2 and with type II diabetes and severe gastro-esophageal reflux with BMI higher than 35. During the intervention a gastric pouch of 50 ml, an alimentary loop of 1.5 m and a bilio-pancreatic loop of 1 m in length were prepared. Data were collected from our hospital database and questionnaires filled in by the patients after a mean follow-up period of 15.7 months.

RESULTS

The mean loss of weight was 51.9 kg, patients gave up 88% of their extra weight. 10 patients suffered from type II diabetes, after the intervention 9 of them became normoglycaemic without diet and medical treatment. The rate of the hypertension, GER and locomotor diseases were significantly improved. There was no mortality and anastomotic insufficiency. 94% of the patients were satisfied with the post-operative results.

DISCUSSION

The LRYGB is an effective bariatric surgical procedure that affects favourably type II diabetes, hypertension, GER and locomotor diseases. As regards the biochemical background of the beneficial effects of this surgical intervention on the diabetes further examinations are necessary.

BAROS results in 700 patients after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with subset analysis of age, gender, and initial body mass index

BACKGROUND

The Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) uses a point scale (maximal score of 9) to evaluate weight loss, complications, improvement in medical conditions, and quality of life among postoperative bariatric patients. The BAROS was originally developed to address the need for a standardized method of reporting open gastric bypass outcomes and has been shown to be both valid and reliable. BAROS scores >7 are considered "excellent." Our objective was to assess the overall BAROS scores in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at each postoperative follow-up interval and to examine the effect of age and gender on BAROS scores.

METHODS

A total of 700 patients who had undergone LRYGB were asked to complete a BAROS questionnaire at their postoperative visits. The BAROS scores were recorded in a prospective database. The patients were stratified by their initial age and body mass index. The statistical analysis included analysis of variance. P <.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The mean BAROS score peaked at 7.29 at the 18-month appointment. More than one half of the patients presenting for follow-up visits at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months had BAROS scores in the "excellent" range. Age stratification (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and ≥ 50 years) resulted in significant differences at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. When stratified by the initial body mass index, differences were seen at 3 weeks and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a lower initial body mass index had greater BAROS scores at many of the follow-up intervals. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass effectively improved the overall health and quality of life of patients.

Gastric bypass surgery alters behavioral and neural taste functions for sweet taste in obese rats

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (GBS) is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. GBS is a restrictive malabsorptive procedure, but many patients also report altered taste preferences. This study investigated the effects of GBS or a sham operation (SH) on body weight, glucose tolerance, and behavioral and neuronal taste functions in the obese Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats lacking CCK-1 receptors and lean controls (LETO). OLETF-GBS rats lost body weight (-26%) and demonstrated improved glucose tolerance. They also expressed a reduction in 24-h two-bottle preference for sucrose (0.3 and 1.0 M) and decreased 10-s lick responses for sucrose (0.3 through 1.5 M) compared with OLETF-SH or LETO-GBS. A similar effect was noted for other sweet compounds but not for salty, sour, or bitter tastants. In lean rats, GBS did not alter responses to any stimulus tested. Extracellular recordings from 170 taste-responsive neurons of the pontine parabrachial nucleus revealed a rightward shift in concentration responses to oral sucrose in obese compared with lean rats (OLETF-SH vs. LETO-SH): overall increased response magnitudes (above 0.9 M), and maximum responses occurring at higher concentrations (+0.46 M). These effects were reversed by GBS, and neural responses in OLETF-GBS were statistically not different from those in any LETO groups. These findings confirm obesity-related alterations in taste functions and demonstrate the ability of GBS to alleviate these impairments. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of GBS appear to be independent of CCK-1 receptor signaling. An understanding of the underlying mechanisms for reduced preferences for sweet taste could help in developing less invasive treatments for obesity.

Deep brain stimulation compared with bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity: a decision analysis study

Object

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the gold standard treatment for morbid obesity, although failure rates may be high, particularly in patients with a BMI > 50 kg/m2. With improved understanding of the neuropsychiatric basis of obesity, deep brain stimulation (DBS) offers a less invasive and reversible alternative to available surgical treatments. In this decision analysis, the authors determined the success rate at which DBS would be equivalent to the two most common bariatric surgeries.

Methods

Medline searches were performed for studies of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), and DBS for movement disorders. Bariatric surgery was considered successful if postoperative excess weight loss exceeded 45% at 1-year follow-up. Using complication and success rates from the literature, the authors constructed a decision analysis model for treatment by LAGB, LRYGB, DBS, or no surgical treatment. A sensitivity analysis in which major parameters were systematically varied within their 95% CIs was used.

Results

Fifteen studies involving 3489 and 3306 cases of LAGB and LRYGB, respectively, and 45 studies involving 2937 cases treated with DBS were included. The operative successes were 0.30 (95% CI 0.247–0.358) for LAGB and 0.968 (95% CI 0.967–0.969) for LRYGB. Sensitivity analysis revealed utility of surgical complications in LRYGB, probability of surgical complications in DBS, and success rate of DBS as having the greatest influence on outcomes. At no values did LAGB result in superior outcomes compared with other treatments.

Conclusions

Deep brain stimulation must achieve a success rate of 83% to be equivalent to bariatric surgery. This high-threshold success rate is probably due to the reported success rate of LRYGB, despite its higher complication rate (33.4%) compared with DBS (19.4%). The results support further research into the role of DBS for the treatment of obesity.

The bariatric surgery patient: a growing role for registered dietitians

Between 1998 and 2004, the total number of bariatric procedures increased almost 10-fold, from 13,386 procedures in 1998 to 121,055 in 2004. Current estimates suggest the number of bariatric operations will exceed 220,000 in 2010. Bariatric surgery encompasses several surgical techniques classified as restrictive or malabsorptive, based on the main mechanism of weight loss. Clinical studies and meta-analyses show that bariatric surgery decreases morbidity and mortality when compared with nonsurgical treatments. A successful long-term outcome of bariatric surgery is dependent on the patient's commitment to a lifetime of dietary and lifestyle changes. The registered dietitian (RD) is an important member of the bariatric team and provides critical instructions to help patients adhere to the dietary changes consistent with surgery. Referencing current literature, this article outlines the indications, contraindications, and types of bariatric surgery. The role of the RD for preoperative and postoperative nutrition assessment and medical nutrition therapy is highlighted. Management of long-term nutrition issues is also reviewed. The current recommendations include a multivitamin/mineral supplement plus vitamin B-12, calcium, vitamin D-3, iron, and folic acid. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity and bariatric surgery procedures, caring for patients who have undergone surgery will be an expanding role for the RD. Close postoperative follow-up and careful monitoring will improve the odds for successful surgical outcomes, and RDs play a very important part in this process.