Gastric surgery in morbid obesity. Outcome in patients aged 55 years and older

To evaluate long-term outcome of gastric restrictive surgery in morbidly obese patients aged 55 years and older.

Retrospective review with 3- to 13-year postoperative follow-up. Average follow-up 6 years.

Private surgical practice with bariatric surgery specialty.

Eighty-eight morbidity obese patients, 73 women and 15 men, aged 55 years and older.

Between 1977 and 1989, 77 patients had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, four had vertical banded gastroplasty, and seven had silicone ring vertical gastroplasty.

Weight loss, change in incidence of comorbidity, and reduction in medication use.

Patients had an average of 57% excess body weight loss, lost 31 kg, and decreased their body mass index by 12 kg/m2. There was a 20% to 48% reduction in the number of patients requiring medication for obesity-related disorders (eg, diabetes mellitus and hypertension). Body mass index of less than 30 kg/m2 was achieved and maintained by 42% of patients.

This form of therapy is appropriate for selected patients in the older age groups.