Changes in hormones and biomarkers in polycystic ovarian syndrome treated with gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Small retrospective studies have demonstrated reduction in weight and co-morbid hirsutism and diabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The objective of this study was to prospectively determine clinical improvements in obese women with PCOS treated with gastric bypass and identify postoperative biomarker changes. METHODS: Data were collected on obese women with PCOS undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass over 1 year. Testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, lutenizing hormone, insulin, fasting glucose, and lipid levels were obtained preoperatively at baseline, and 6 and 12 months after surgery. Testosterone was used as the primary hormonal biomarker. A physical examination for body mass index (BMI) and hirsutism, and information on menstrual pattern were collected at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Data were available for 14 women. Mean BMI decreased from 44.8±5.9 kg/m(2) at baseline to 29.2±5.9 kg/m(2) at 12 months postoperatively. Significant improvements were seen in testosterone, fasting glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride at 12 months (P<.05). At baseline, irregular menses were reported in 10 patients; all patients were experiencing regular menses 6 and 12 months after surgery. Hirsutism was present in 11 patients at baseline and only 7 patients at 12 months. Improvements in biomarkers, menstrual cycling, and hirsutism was not correlated with degree of weight change. CONCLUSION: Gastric bypass achieved significant reductions in BMI, testosterone, and markers of glucose and lipid metabolism. These data confirm reports of previous retrospective studies showing weight reduction and health improvement in women with PCOS treated with gastric bypass.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for super obese patients: forty-eight percent excess weight loss after 6 to 8 years with 93% follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we report long-term outcomes of high-risk, high-BMI (body mass index) patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). BACKGROUND: Short- and medium-term data appear to support the effectiveness of LSG, but long-term data to support its durability are sparse. METHODS: A prospective database was reviewed on all high-risk patients who underwent LSG as part of a staged approach for surgical treatment of severe obesity between January 2002 and February 2004. We included only patients who did not proceed to second-stage surgery (gastric bypass). Analyzed data included demographics, BMI, comorbidities, and surgical outcomes. All partial gastrectomies were performed using a 50F bougie. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients underwent LSG, and follow-up data were available on 69 of 74 patients (93%). The mean age was 50 years (25-78) and the mean number of co-morbidities was 9.6. Perioperative mortality (<30 days) was zero, and the incidence of short- and long-term postoperative complications was 15%. The mean overall follow-up time period was 73 months (38-95). Mean excess weight loss (EWL) at 72, 84, and 96 months after LSG was 52%, 43%, and 46%, respectively, with an overall EWL of 48%. The mean BMI decreased from 66 kg/m(2) (43-90) to 46 kg/m(2) (22-73). Seventy-seven percent of the diabetic patients showed improvement or remission of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the longest follow-up of LSG patients thus far and supports the effectiveness, safety, and durability of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a definitive therapeutic option for severe obesity, even in high-risk, high-BMI patients.

Preoperative weight loss in high-risk superobese bariatric patients: a computed tomography-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Superobesity, through organomegaly, excessive adiposity, and associated severe co-morbidities, is a recognized risk factor for bariatric surgery. Our study examined the utility of preoperative weight loss with a liquid low-calorie diet (LCD) as a method of risk reduction. METHODS: All patients with a body mass index (BMI) >50 kg/m(2) were instructed to consume a LCD (800 kcal/d) with the goal of losing ≥10% of their body weight. The co-morbidities were monitored. The abdominal wall depth and cross-sectional areas of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) at 12 and 20 cm below the costal margin, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and liver volume were measured, using computed tomography, at baseline and after completion of the LCD. Laparoscopic gastric bypass was performed in all patients. RESULTS: The study included 30 patients (27 men and 3 women) with a mean age of 53 years (range 34-53). The mean BMI was reduced from 56 kg/m(2) (range 50-69) at baseline to 49 kg/m(2) (range 43-60) after an average of 9 weeks of the LCD. The VAT decreased from a mean of 388 cm(2) to 342 cm(2). The abdominal wall depth decreased from 3.6 to 3.2 cm at 12 cm below the costal margin and from 3.7 to 3.4 cm at 20 cm. The mean SAT at both 12 and 20 cm below the costal margin had decreased from 577 cm(2) and 687 cm(2) to 509 cm(2) and 614 cm(2), respectively. The liver volume was reduced by 18%. All co-morbidities were well controlled at LCD completion. No patient died, and 2 minor complications occurred postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that preoperative LCD is a safe and effective tool leading to a significant decrease in liver volume and abdominal wall depth, as well as a reduction in both VAT and SAT. Its use might contribute to improved short-term surgical outcomes in high-risk superobese patients.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in US veterans.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LREYGB) in veteran patients. The VA bariatric population differs from its counterpart in the private sector by the predominance of a male population, a higher percentage of patients from a lower socioeconomic background, a higher mean age, and a higher rate of obesity-related comorbidities. METHODS: A retrospective review with prospectively collected data was used to analyze postoperative changes of comorbidities and percent of excess weight loss (% EWL) in consecutive patients who underwent LREYGB between August 2003 and September 2006. RESULTS: Among 70 patients, 73% were men with a mean age of 52 years (29-66 years). Average preoperative weight and body mass index were 310 lbs (224-397 lbs) and 46 kg/m(2) (36-60 kg/m(2)), respectively. The incidence of major and minor complications was 1.4% and 15.7%, respectively. There were no mortalities. Follow-up (f/u) was possible in all patients. At a mean f/u rate of 39 months, % EWL was 56%. At 1, 3, and 5 years, % EWL was 61%, 53%, and 59%, respectively. Thirty-five patients (50%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations returned to normal levels in 91% of patients and improved in an additional 6% of T2DM cases. Only 7% of patients are still maintained on antidiabetic medications. In patients with more than 1 year f/u, most other comorbidities were improved or resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term f/u of LREYGB in veteran patients demonstrated significant and durable weight loss (56% EWL) with marked improvements in comorbidities especially T2DM.