Postoperative complications are not increased in super-super obese patients who undergo laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Background: It has been suggested that super-super obesity (body mass index [BMI] >= 60 kg/m(2)) increases the risk of complications after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LapRYGB). We hypothesized that a higher BMI does not increase risk the morbidity or mortality rate. Methods: Complication rates for patients with a BMI >= 60 k g/m(2) were 2 compared to those for patients with a BMI < 60 kg/m who underwent LapRYGB during the same time period. Differences between the groups were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, t-tests, and analysis of variance. Results: Forty-five patients with a BMI >= 60 k g/m(2) and 640 patients with a BMI < 60 kg/m(2) underwent Lap-RYGB. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups In the complication or mortality rates. Excess weight loss was less, but actual weight lost was greater in the BMI >= 60 k g/m(2) group. Conclusions: The complication and mortality rates are not increased in super-super obese patients who undergo LapRYGB. Acceptable weight loss can be achieved safely in these patients.