Faculty Collaboration Database

Impact of routine and long-term follow-up on weight loss after laparoscopic gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2007;3(6):627-30; discussion 630

Date

10/24/2007

Pubmed ID

17950045

DOI

10.1016/j.soard.2007.07.005

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-36048984103 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   104 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Weight loss after gastric bypass varies among patients. It is difficult to maintain contact with patients who have undergone surgery several years previously. Continued and long-term follow-up care at a bariatric surgery clinic might be a factor affecting long-term excess weight loss (EWL).

METHODS: Patients with 3-4 years of follow-up data after laparoscopic gastric bypass were included in this retrospective analysis. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 patients had attended every scheduled postoperative appointment, group 2 patients had attended every appointment for 1 year before being lost to follow-up, and group 3 patients had been lost to follow-up before 1 year. Comparisons were made to determine the relationship between the length of follow-up and EWL.

RESULTS: We identified 34 group 1 patients and 51 group 2 or 3 patients of 130 patients eligible to be included as determined by their date of surgery. The interval since surgery was similar at approximately 3 years. Although the EWL did not differ at 1 year of follow-up (mean EWL 70% for group 1 versus 65% for group 2, P >.05), a significant difference in the EWL was observed at 3-4 years (74% for group 1 versus 61% for group 2 versus 56% for group 3; P <.05). The distance traveled to the clinic was similar for all 3 groups. The most common explanation for missed follow-up appointments was a lack of insurance coverage.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic gastric bypass patients who attended all scheduled follow-up appointments experienced greater long-term weight loss than those who did not. On-going, multidisciplinary care is likely a critical component in maintaining the benefit after surgery. Patients must be encouraged to continue to attend their bariatric medical appointments, and payors should provide coverage for these visits.

Author List

Gould JC, Beverstein G, Reinhardt S, Garren MJ

Author

Jon Gould MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Continuity of Patient Care
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastric Bypass
Humans
Laparoscopy
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity, Morbid
Patient Compliance
Retrospective Studies
Statistics, Nonparametric
Treatment Outcome
Weight Loss