Long-term outcomes after gastric bypass

Background: While a great deal has been published regarding the short- and medium-term outcomes of gastric bypass surgery, much less information is available regarding long-term follow-up. Such information would be valuable in changing attitudes towards this surgery. Methods: 342 severely obese patients underwent gastric bypass between June 1990 and April 2003 by a single surgeon. Careful preoperative documentation and follow-up have been maintained on a computerized database. Where necessary, recent follow-up information has been gained by mailed questionnaire and blood tests. Results: Follow-up data from within the last 12 months is available for 88% of patients. Follow-up time ranges from 0-14 years, with a median of 48.6 months. Of those lost to follow-up, only 24 (7%) have <12 months follow-up. The series includes 261 females and 81 males. Preoperative BMI ranged from 28-99 (median 44). Before surgery, hypertension was present in 138, type 2 diabetes in 62, and dyslipidemia in 265. There was no 30-day peri-operative mortality. Three life-threatening complications occurred. BMI and % excess weight loss after 1, 2, 5 and 10 years were 28.7 and 89%, 28.3 and 87%, 31.2 and 70% and 31 and 75%, respectively. At most recent follow-up, 62%, of those with hypertension before surgery were cured and 25% had improved. 85% of those with type 2 diabetes were cured and 10% had improved. No patients with impaired glucose tolerance had progressed to diabetes. 34% of those with dyslipidemia were cured and 38% had improved. Conclusion: The excellent outcomes, in terms of weight loss and improvement in co-morbidities, seen in both the short- and medium-term after gastric bypass, are well maintained into the longer-term.