Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeon Criteria-An International Experts' Consensus.

PURPOSE: With the global epidemic of obesity, the importance of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is greater than ever before. Performing these surgeries requires academic training and the completion of a dedicated fellowship training program. This study aimed to develop guidelines based on expert consensus using a modified Delphi method to create the criteria for metabolic and bariatric surgeons that must be mastered before obtaining privileges to perform MBS. METHODS: Eighty-nine recognized MBS surgeons from 42 countries participated in the Modified Delphi consensus to vote on 30 statements in two rounds. An agreement/disagreement among ≥ 70.0% of the experts was regarded to indicate a consensus. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on 29 out of 30 statements. Most experts agreed that before getting privileges to perform MBS, surgeons must hold a general surgery degree and complete or have completed a dedicated fellowship training program. The experts agreed that the learning curves for the various operative procedures are approximately 25-50 operations for the LSG, 50-75 for the OAGB, and 75-100 for the RYGB. 93.1% of experts agreed that MBS surgeons should diligently record patients' data in their National or Global database. CONCLUSION: MBS surgeons should have a degree in general surgery and have been enrolled in a dedicated fellowship training program with a structured curriculum. The learning curve of MBS procedures is procedure dependent. MBS surgeons must demonstrate proficiency in managing postoperative complications, collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, commit to a minimum 2-year patient follow-up, and actively engage in national and international MBS societies.

Ten-Year Outcomes Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs Duodenal Switch for High Body Mass Index: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Results from long-term follow-up after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS) are scarce. Objective: To compare weight loss, health outcomes, and quality of life 10 years or more after Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) and DS surgery in patients with severe obesity-that is, a body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 50 to 60. Design, Setting, and Participants: This open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted at 2 academic bariatric centers in Sweden and Norway. Sixty patients with a BMI of 50 to 60 were included from March 1, 2006, to August 31, 2007. Data were analyzed from August 12, 2022, to January 25, 2023. Interventions: Laparoscopic RYGB or laparoscopic DS. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was change in BMI after 10 or more years. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures, lipid and glycemic profiles, bone mass density, adverse events, gastrointestinal tract symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Results: Forty-eight of the original 60 patients (80%) were assessed after a median of 12 (range, 9-13) years (mean [SD] age, 48.0 [6.0] years; 35 women [73%]). At follow-up, the mean BMI reductions were 11.0 (95% CI, 8.3-13.7) for RYGB and 20.3 (95% CI, 17.6-23.0) for DS, with a mean between-group difference of 9.3 (95% CI, 5.4-13.1; P < .001). Total weight loss was 20.0% (95% CI, 15.3%-24.7%) for RYGB and 33.9% (95% CI, 27.8%-40.0%) for DS (P = .001). Mean serum lipid levels, except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c, improved more in the DS group during follow-up. Bone mass was reduced for both groups from 5 to 10 years, with lower bone mass after DS at 10 years. Quality-of-life scores (Obesity-Related Problem Scale and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey) were comparable across groups at 10 years. The total number of adverse events was higher after DS (135 vs 97 for RYGB; P = .02). More patients in the DS group developed vitamin deficiencies (21 vs 11 for RYGB; P = .008) including 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (19 for DS vs 9 for RYGB; P = .005). Four of 29 patients in the DS group (14%) developed severe protein-caloric malnutrition, of whom 3 (10%) underwent revisional surgery. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, BMI reduction was greater after DS, but RYGB had a better risk profile over 10 years. Biliopancreatic diversion with DS may not be a better surgical strategy than RYGB for patients with a BMI of 50 to 60. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00327912.

Associations of adherence to physical activity and dietary recommendations with weight recurrence 1-5 years after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about longer-term adherence to recommended physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and whether adherence is associated with weight recurrence. OBJECTIVES: To explore (1) changes in and associations between adherence to PA and general dietary recommendations after MBS and (2) whether PA and dietary behaviors interact to predict weight recurrence. SETTING: University hospital; public practice. METHODS: Participants completed ActiGraph PA monitoring, dietary questionnaire, and weighing 1 and 5 years after surgery. Parametric and non-parametric tests evaluated changes in and associations between adherence to PA and dietary recommendations. Multiple linear regression explored associations of adherence and weight recurrence 5 years post-surgery. RESULTS: A total of 73 participants (66% loss to follow-up, 80.8% females) were included. From 1 to 5 years after surgery, adherence to PA recommendations did not change (23.5% versus 20.5%, P = .824), whereas adherence to dietary recommendations decreased (P = <.001). Adherence to PA recommendations is positively associated with eating fruits and vegetables and limiting intake of sugar and fat at 1 year (P < .05) and negatively associated with choosing meat with less fat at 5 years (P = .018). Adherence to PA and dietary behaviors did not independently contribute or interact to predict weight recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to recommendations was poor. Dietary adherence decreased from 1 to 5 years post-surgery, whereas PA adherence remained stable. PA adherence was positively associated with adherence to some dietary recommendations at 1 year but not at 5 years. Neither behavioral adherences were associated with weight recurrence. Additional research is needed to understand how to improve adherence and its relationship with other health outcomes after MBS.

Single anastomosis gastric bypass for morbid obesity. / Gastrisk bypass med én anastomose ved sykelig overvekt.

BACKGROUND: Mini-gastric bypass is a new surgical method for the treatment of morbid obesity. The method was introduced at Oslo University Hospital in 2016. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospective data collected over a two-year period following mini-gastric bypass between 1 March 2016 and 1 April 2021. RESULTS: Altogether, 241/1611 (15 %) patients who underwent surgery at the Centre for Morbid Obesity in the five-year period received a mini-gastric bypass. A total of 147/241 (61 %) met the inclusion criteria and 125/147 (85 %) were included in the study. Average age was 47.4 years (standard deviation 10.7), and 81/125 (64.8 %) were women. Average weight was 134 (25) kg before and 90 (20) kg after surgery. Total average weight loss two years after surgery was 33.1 % (9.1). Before surgery and two years post-surgery, 20.0 % and 27.2 % had gastroesophageal reflux, 38.3 % and 8.8 % had type II diabetes and 84.8 % and 44.0 % had dyslipidaemia, respectively. Altogether, 12 % developed anaemia, 6.3 % iron deficiency and 23.1 % vitamin D deficiency. Early complications (< 30 days) were recorded in 6/125 (4.8 %) patients and late complications (> 30 days) in 7/125 (5.6 %) patients. The results were comparable to all the quality indicators in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry Norway. INTERPRETATION: Mini-gastric bypass can be performed with few complications and with a beneficial effect on secondary comorbidity up to two years after surgery.

Pain sensitivity after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - associations with chronic abdominal pain and psychosocial aspects.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate modifications in pain sensitivity after RYGB and to explore associations between pain sensitivity and weight loss, chronic abdominal pain, total body pain, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing. METHODS: In total, 163 patients with obesity were examined with a cold pressor test for pain sensitivity before and two years after RYGB. Two aspects of pain sensitivity were registered: Pain intensity (numeric rating scale, range 0-10) and pain tolerance (seconds). Associations between pain sensitivity and the explanatory variables were assessed with linear regression. RESULTS: Two years after RYGB the pain intensity increased (mean ± SD 0.64 ± 1.9 score units, p<0.001). Pain tolerance decreased (7.2 ± 32.4 s, p=0.005). A larger reduction in body mass index was associated with increased pain intensity, ß=-0.090 (95 % CI -0.15 to -0.031, p=0.003), and decreased pain tolerance ß=1.1 (95 % CI 0.95 to 2.2, p=0.03). Before surgery, participants with chronic abdominal pain reported 1.2 ± 0.5 higher pain intensity (p=0.02) and had 19.2 ± 9.3 s lower pain tolerance (p=0.04) than those without abdominal pain. No differences in pain sensitivity were observed between participants who did or did not develop chronic abdominal pain after RYGB. Pain sensitivity was associated with symptoms of anxiety but not with pain catastrophizing, depression or bodily pain. CONCLUSIONS: The pain sensitivity increased after RYGB and was associated with larger weight loss and anxiety symptoms. Changes in pain sensitivity were not associated with development of chronic abdominal pain after RYGB in our study.

Chronic abdominal pain and quality of life after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy - a cross-cohort analysis of two prospective longitudinal observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) after bariatric surgery is not extensively explored and may impact the postoperative outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of patient-reported chronic abdominal pain (CAP) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Secondarily, we compared other abdominal and psychological symptoms and quality of life (QoL). Preoperative predictors of postoperative CAP were also explored. SETTING: Tertiary referral centers for bariatric surgery in Norway. METHODS: Analyses of 2 separate prospective longitudinal cohort studies evaluating CAP, abdominal and psychological symptoms and QoL before and 2 years after RYGB and SG. RESULTS: Follow-ups were attended by 416 patients (85.8%), 300/416 (72.1%) were females and 209/416 (50.2%) were RYGB procedures. At follow-up, the mean age was 44.9 (10.0) years, BMI 29.5 (5.4) kg/m2, and total weight loss 31.6 (10.3) %. The prevalence of CAP was 28/236 (11.9%) before and 60/209 (28.7%) after RYGB (P < .001) and 32/223 (14.3%) before and 50/186 (26.9%) after SG (P < .001). Gastrointestinal symptom rating scale scores showed greater deterioration of diarrhea and indigestion after RYGB and reflux after SG. The improvement in depression symptoms was greater after SG, as well as several QoL scores improved more after SG. Patients with CAP after RYGB experienced deterioration in several QoL scores, while these scores improved in patients with CAP after SG. Preoperative hypertension, bothersome reflux symptoms, and CAP predicted postoperative CAP. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAP increased comparably after RYGB and SG, with worsening of gastroesophageal reflux after SG and greater deterioration of diarrhea and indigestion after RYGB. In patients with CAP at follow-up, several QoL scores improved more after SG than RYGB.

Predicting satisfaction with outcome and follow-up care 5 years after bariatric surgery: A prospective evaluation.

Objective: Patient satisfaction is viewed as essential for a successful outcome of bariatric surgery. Few studies have explored long-term satisfaction prospectively. This study aimed to examine pre- and post-surgery predictors for satisfaction with follow-up care, and change in outcome satisfaction from one to 5 years after bariatric surgery. Methods: A sample of 210 participants was recruited from a single treatment center. Self-reported and medical record data regarding mental and somatic health, body image, follow-up attendance, and weight loss were obtained before, 1 year, and 5 years after surgery. Results: Over 90% of the participants were satisfied with the results and treatment 1 year after surgery, while 69% had their outcome expectations fulfilled and 62% were satisfied with the follow-up 5 years after surgery. A shift from initial satisfaction to unfulfillment of expectations was predicted by baseline body dissatisfaction, greater percentage of weight regain after initial weight loss, and more discomfort from somatic symptoms 5 years after surgery. In addition to symptom discomfort, worry about surgery predicted satisfaction with follow-up care. Conclusion: At 5 years, one-fifth of those initially satisfied reported that bariatric surgery had failed to meet their expectations. This suggests that outcome expectations related to weight loss, somatic symptoms, and body image need to be addressed both before and after bariatric surgery.

Standard versus distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with BMI 50-60 kg/m2: 5-year outcomes of a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical weight loss procedure for patients with a BMI of 50 kg/m2 or more is uncertain. This study compared distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with standard RYGB. METHODS: In this double-blind RCT, patients aged 18-60 years with a BMI of 50-60 kg/m2 were allocated randomly to receive standard (150 cm alimentary, 50 cm biliopancreatic limb) or distal (150 cm common channel, 50 cm biliopancreatic limb) RYGB. The primary outcome (change in BMI at 2 years) has been reported previously. Secondary outcomes 5 years after surgery, such as weight loss, health-related quality of life, and nutritional outcomes are reported. RESULTS: Between May 2011 and April 2013, 123 patients were randomized, 113 received an intervention, and 92 attended 5-year follow-up. Mean age was 40 (95 per cent c.i. 38 to 41) years and 73 patients (65 per cent) were women; 57 underwent standard RYGB and 56 distal RYGB. BMI was reduced by 15.1 (95 per cent c.i. 13.9 to 16.2) kg/m2 after standard and 15.7 (14.5 to 16.9) kg/m2 after distal RYGB; the between-group difference was -0.64 (-2.3 to 1.0) kg/m2 (P = 0.447). Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and haemoglobin A1c levels declined more after distal than after standard RYGB. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased more after standard RYGB. Vitamin A and vitamin D levels were lower after distal RYGB. Changes in bone mineral density, resting metabolic rate, and total energy intake were comparable. CONCLUSION: Distal RYGB did not enable greater weight loss than standard RYGB. Differences in other outcomes favouring distal RYGB may not justify routine use of this procedure in patients with a BMI of 50-60 kg/m2. Registration number: NCT00821197 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).Presented in part as abstract to the IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic disorders) conference, Madrid, Spain, August 2019.

A prospective longitudinal study of chronic abdominal pain and symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is widely applied. Few studies have evaluated patient-reported abdominal symptoms after SG. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic abdominal pain (CAP) and symptom characteristics after SG. SETTING: Oslo University Hospital and Voss Hospital. METHODS: We performed a longitudinal prospective cohort study of patients operated on with SG at two tertiary referral centers. For broad assessments of abdominal pain and symptoms, consultations were performed and questionnaires retrieved before and 2 years after SG. The definition of CAP or recurrent abdominal pain lasting for more than 3 months was sustained. Preoperative predictors of CAP were explored. RESULTS: Of 249 patients at baseline, 207 (83.1%) had follow-up consultations. Mean preoperative body mass index was 43.9 (6.0) kg/m2, and 181 patients (72.7%) were female. Total weight loss was 31.9% (10.4%). CAP was reported in 32 of 223 patients (14.3%) before and in 50 of 186 patients (26.9%) after SG (P =.002). All mean gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale questionnaire scores increased after SG, and they were higher in patients with CAP. Symptoms of depression decreased but were more prevalent in patients with CAP at follow-up. Most quality-of-life scores increased after SG. However, patients with CAP had lower scores (except for physical functioning). Preoperative bothersome Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale reflux symptoms, study center, and younger age seemed to predict CAP after SG. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of patient-reported CAP increased after SG. Patients reporting CAP had reduced quality-of-life scores.