Relationship between weight reduction and state of malabsorption after jejunoileal bypass for excessive obesity

A 10-year follow-up study of 30 patients subjected to jejunoileal bypass surgery for obesity is reported. The technique used which resulted in a jejunoileal shunt length of 50-55 cm gave satisfactory weight reduction in 75 per cent of the patients. There were no serious complications. The weight loss occurred essentially during the first 12-18 months, the main cause being defective digestion and malabsorption. In some instances this was supported by initially reduced food consumption. A certain degree of steatorrhoea persists in most cases after 10 years and may be of importance in the maintenance of the new stable weight level.