Interventions for Weight Regain after Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is the most effective available treatment for obesity, inducing a significant and durable weight loss, and improving several obesity-associated diseases. However, as the number of bariatric surgeries performed increases, so does the prevalence of patients who experience either insufficient weight loss or weight regain, accompanied by relapse or the emergence of new obesity-related diseases. Endoscopic and surgical bariatric revisional procedures are used to promote weight loss and improve metabolic function to address these problems. After a psychological, nutritional, medical, and anatomical evaluation of the gastrointestinal anatomy has been completed, patient candidacy to a revisional procedure must be defined. In those patients with insufficient weight loss or weight regain associated with relapse, the emergence of new obesity-related diseases, or quality-of-life deterioration, a revisional procedure must be selected. Although current evidence comes mainly from observational and retrospective studies, with a limited number of patients and short follow-up times, the available data indicate that revisional procedures are useful to induce a significant weight loss and/or promote remission of obesity-associated diseases, albeit an increased risk of surgical and/or nutritional complications. Thus, careful selection of patients is needed to minimize risk and maximize the benefit of these procedures.

Influence of the gastric stump’s volume on the long-term results of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

The objective was to retrospectively analyze the dependence of long-term results of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery according to the size of the formed gastric stumpMethods and materials. We retrospectively analyzed the long-term results of 207 morbidly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery by two different techniques. The median follow-up was 36 months. Two groups of patients were identified according to the method of formation of the gastric stump: using 2 (1st group) or 3 (2nd group) stapler cassettes and performing of computed tomography volumetry to determine thevolume of the created gastric stump.Results. Statistically significant differences in the volume of the formed gastric stump, depending on the method of operation, were as follows: 23.8 ml (8.9–37.3 ml) in the 1st group and 47.7 ml (31.9–72.8 ml) in the 2nd group (p<0.0001). Significant differences were observed in the following indicators: relapse of weight gain or insufficient weight loss (loss of < 70 % overweight) at median follow-up of 36 months were observed in 2 (2.3 %) and 12 (9.9 %) cases in the 1st and 2nd groups, respectively (p<0.05).Conclusion. We revealed that the formation of the gastric stump of a very small volume by 2 stapler cassettes compared to using 3 stapler cassettes contributes to improving the results in the long-term postoperative period and minimizing the frequency of relapse of weight gain and insufficient weight loss. The restrictive component of the surgery with equal malabsorptive is fundamental for the clinical parameters of its effectiveness, that leads to increasing the frequency of relapses of weight gain and insufficient weight loss in the 2nd group in comparison with the 1st and group of patients (p<0.05). Based on computed tomography volumetry, the volume of a small-sized stomach stump can be reliably measured and, accordingly, weight loss is predicted in the long term after the surgery, as well as the absence of relapses of weight gain or insufficient weight loss.

Long-term effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: What are the results beyond 10 years?

Objective Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide. Newer studies providing long-term follow-up are showing high incidence of weight regain and high incidence of de novo reflux or worsening of preexisting GERD leading to conversion to different bariatric procedure. The objective of our study was to present 5 to 15-year follow-up results in terms of weight loss, remission of comorbidities and reoperation rate. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. The minimal follow-up time was 5 years. Patients who underwent SG between August 2004 and December 2014 were included. In case of reoperation patients were converted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion type duodenal-switch with or without hiatal hernia repair. Results A total of 307 patients underwent SG either as primary bariatric procedure (n = 262) or as redo operation after failed laparoscopic gastric banding (n = 45). Mean body mass index at time of primary SG was 46.4 ± 8.0 kg/m2. Mean age at operation was 43.7 ± 12.4 years with 68% females. Follow-up was 84% and 70% at 5 and 10 years respectively. The mean EBMIL for primary SG was 62.8 ± 23.1% after 5 years, 53.6 ± 24.6% after 10 years and 51.2 ± 20.3% after 13 years. Reoperation after SG was necessary in almost every fifth SG patient: 24 patients (7.8%) were reoperated due to insufficient weight loss, 12 patients (3.9 %) due to reflux, while 23 patients (7.5%) needed conversion due to both, insufficient weight loss and reflux. Comorbidities improved considerably while the incidence of new onset reflux was 29.7%. Conclusion SG provides a long-term EBMIL from 51 to 54% beyond 10 years and a significant improvement of comorbidities. On the other hand, a high incidence of both weight loss failure and de novo reflux was observed leading to conversion.

Weight Regain and Insufficient Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery: Definitions, Prevalence, Mechanisms, Predictors, Prevention and Management Strategies, and Knowledge Gaps—a Scoping Review

Some patients experience weight regain (WR) or insufficient weight loss (IWL) after bariatric surgery (BS). We undertook a scoping review of WR and IWL after BS. We searched electronic databases for studies addressing the definitions, prevalence, mechanisms, clinical significance, preoperative predictors, and preventive and treatment approaches including behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical management strategies of WR and IWL. Many definitions exist for WR, less so for IWL, resulting in inconsistencies in the reported prevalence of these two conditions. Mechanisms and preoperative predictors contributing to WR are complex and multifactorial. A range of the current knowledge gaps are identified and questions that need to be addressed are outlined. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address these knowledge gaps for a better evidence base that would guide patient counseling, selection, and lead to improved outcomes.

Weight Regain and Insufficient Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: A Call for Action

Despite successful weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS), weight regain (WR) may occur on long term following most bariatric procedures, with 20–30% of patients either failing to reach their target weight goals or failing to maintain the achieved weight loss. Significant WR has important health consequences, including the reversal of the improved obesity-related comorbidities and psychological function leading to decreased quality of life. Given the challenges faced by these patients, there is a need for multidisciplinary approaches to deal with WR. This chapter addresses the issue of WR among bariatric patients. It starts with the various definitions of insufficient weight loss and WR and the prevalence of weight regain by type of bariatric procedure. The chapter then explores the underlying causes as well as the predictors of WR. It will also outline the behavioral and psychotherapeutic, dietary and exercise strategies employed in the prevention of post-surgery WR. The chapter will then highlight the non-surgical and surgical approaches used in the management of WR. The chapter will conclude with a summary of the findings emphasizing that WR is complex and multifactorial, requiring multidisciplinary and multimodal dietary, behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical management strategies tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient.

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Conversion to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a restrictive endoscopic bariatric procedure that provides a reduction of the gastric volume and an alteration of the gastric motility. The volume of the stomach is reduced by approximately 70% through plication of the greater curvature of the stomach using an endoscopic suturing device. In case of failure, the surgical conversion is possible. We present a case of a patient with previous ESG with insufficient weight loss and gastro-oesophageal reflux. We performed a conversion to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass with satisfactory results.