Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with comparable weight loss in all obese groups: a VA hospital experience

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining popularity as a standalone procedure for the surgical treatment of obesity in the superobese because of higher failure with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We report a single-institution experience with LSG as the procedure of choice in all obese groups and comparing weight loss in the nonsuperobese and superobese patients. LSGs performed between February 2009 and June 2011 were reviewed. Body mass index (BMI), percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), and percentage excess BMI loss were analyzed for two groups of nonsuperobese (Group I) and superobese (Group II) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperative visits. Two-sample t tests were used to compare groups. At each postoperative visit, reductions in BMI and amount of weight loss were higher in Group II but %EWL was statistically similar in both groups. The %EWL was 29.5 versus 29.9 per cent at 3 months (P = 0.9246), 51.7 versus 47.5 per cent at 6 months (P = 0.9800), and 52.8 versus 52.6 per cent at 12 months (P = 0.9755). Both groups demonstrated satisfactory resolution of most preoperative comorbidities. Success rate of weight loss after LSG as a standalone procedure is comparable in the superobese and nonsuperobese patients.