10-year follow-up after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Outcomes in a monocentric series

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has grown into the most popular bariatric operation. Nevertheless, a scarcity of long-term outcomes are available.

This study aims at evaluating the long-term percent weight loss (%WL), excess weight loss (%EWL), weight regain (WR), and co-morbidity resolution rates in a single-center cohort undergoing SG as a primary procedure, with a minimum 10-year follow-up.

University hospital, Italy.

One hundred eighty-two morbidly obese patients with body mass index (BMI) 46.6 ± 7.3 kg/m² underwent SG. Obesity-related co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease) were investigated. Predictors of dichotomous dependent-variable diabetes remission were computed using a binomial logistic regression.

Patient retention rate was 77%. Mean %WL was 30.9, %EWL was 52.5%, and WR (≥25% maximum WL) occurred in 10.4%. Baseline BMI significantly (P = .001) and linearly predicted %EWL (10 yr %EWL = 18.951 + initial BMI × .74); the super-obese subgroup generated substantially greater WL compared with those with BMI <50 kg/m² (%EWL 48.0 ± 18.5 versus 61.5 ± 23.2; P < .001). Type 2 diabetes remission occurred in 64.7%; 42.9% patients developed de novo gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms postoperatively (P < .0001).

SG generates sustained WL and co-morbidity resolution up to 10 years postoperatively. Although a notable portion of patients experience WR, mean %WL persists to exceed 30%, translating in adequate WL also in the long term. Additionally, WR does not seem to impact negatively on co-morbidity resolution. SG represents a safe and effective bariatric operation, which easily grants the possibility to proceed to revisional bariatric surgery in patients with WR or failure to WL.