Weight Regain Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbid Obesity

Abstract: Background: Sleeve gastrectomy is the common bariatric procedure done for morbid obesity, but there are limited studies available, specifically from South Asia. In Pakistan, no such study has been done before. Objective: The main outcome of the study was Excess weight loss (EWL) and Weight Regain (WR) after Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and to see improvement in co-morbid associated with morbid obesity. Materials and Methods: The patients who underwent Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity were analyzed retrospectively. From June 2017 to June 2019, in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Patients whose BMI exceeds 40 kg/m² or falls between 35-39 kg/m² accompanied by one or more comorbidities, and have undergone at least three years of follow-up. Redo procedures of LSG were excluded. Data was obtained from patients’ charts and hospital database, and last follow-ups were done by telephonic survey. Result: In 171 patients 56.72% were female. Mean BMI was 48.5kg/m2. %EWL was 77.90% and total body weight loss was (% TBWL ) 39.48. Weight regain WR was 25.7 %, Regain of > 25%EWL was 14%. Increase in BMI >5/kgm2 was 17.5%. DM remission was 70% (28 pts) while in 30% (12) improved. Hypertension in 54.28% (38) pts improved and in 45.71% (32) hypertension completely resolved. Obstructive sleep apnea was resolved completely by 93.6 % (44). Osteoarthritis improved (by 78.4 %). GERD was developed in vivo in 14% of patients postoperatively. Lap chole for symptomatic gall stones was done in 9.35% of post-lap sleeve gastrectomy patients during follow-up. Conclusion: Weight regain after sleeve gastrectomy was significant but still the post-operative co-morbid remission was promising.