Preoperative binge eating status and gastric bypass surgery: a long-term outcome study

The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative binge status on long-term weight loss outcomes.

IRB approval was obtained. This prospective study was initiated in 1997 at a large teaching hospital. Adult patients who participated in the study and attended post-surgery clinic visits for at least 12 months were included. Patients completed the gormally binge eating scale (BES), the beck depression inventory (BDI), and the SF-36 at baseline prior to surgery. All data are expressed as mean +/- SD. Data were analyzed using a Student's t test, pairwise correlation and regression analysis as appropriate.

A total of 157 patients (135 women) aged 45 +/- 10 years were recruited. Their preoperative BMI was 50.7 +/- 8.0 kg/m(2). Thirty-seven patients were classified as severe binge eaters (BES >or= 27) prior to surgery. There was no significant difference in their weight loss compared to the rest of the group at any time point up to 6 years after surgery. Patients with significant depressive symptoms (BDI >13) had no significant difference in their weight loss outcomes compared to the rest of the group. Pre-surgery SF-36 scores did not predict differences in weight loss outcome.

Pre-surgical binge status, incidence of depressive symptoms and health related quality of life were not predictive of poor weight loss outcomes in patients up to 6 years after gastric bypass surgery, who were able to make lifestyle changes in preparation for surgery and who adhered to scheduled post surgery clinic visits.