Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Short-term Weight Loss in a Single Italian Institution

Italy was the first European country to have a major outbreak of COVID-19. Bariatric procedures were stopped and telemedicine had to be implemented. A large percentage of patients struggled to follow postoperative diet and to start physical activity due to social restrictions. We have compared short-term outcomes of patients who had bariatric procedures prior to lockdown with subjects that had undergone obesity surgery in the same period of the previous year at our institution. A total number of 63 patients were included in this study. Weight loss at 1, 3 and 6 postoperative months in the 2019 group was significantly higher at any point of follow-up when compared to 2020. Social limitations and nonattendance of clinical appointments may have compromised early results.Graphical Abstract

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges for patients undergoing bariatric procedures in Italy, with difficulties in following postoperative diet and exercise due to social restrictions. A study comparing short-term outcomes of patients before and during lockdown found that weight loss was significantly higher in the previous year compared to 2020, possibly due to social limitations and missed clinical appointments.