Weight change and health outcomes at 3 years after bariatric surgery among individuals with severe obesity.

IMPORTANCE: Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥35) is associated with a broad range of health risks. Bariatric surgery induces weight loss and short-term health improvements, but little is known about long-term outcomes of these operations. OBJECTIVE: To report 3-year change in weight and select health parameters after common bariatric surgical procedures. DESIGN AND SETTING: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) Consortium is a multicenter observational cohort study at 10 US hospitals in 6 geographically diverse clinical centers. PARTICIPANTS AND EXPOSURE: Adults undergoing first-time bariatric surgical procedures as part of routine clinical care by participating surgeons were recruited between 2006 and 2009 and followed up until September 2012. Participants completed research assessments prior to surgery and 6 months, 12 months, and then annually after surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Three years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), we assessed percent weight change from baseline and the percentage of participants with diabetes achieving hemoglobin A1c levels less than 6.5% or fasting plasma glucose values less than 126 mg/dL without pharmacologic therapy. Dyslipidemia and hypertension resolution at 3 years was also assessed. RESULTS: At baseline, participants (N = 2458) were 18 to 78 years old, 79% were women, median BMI was 45.9 (IQR, 41.7-51.5), and median weight was 129 kg (IQR, 115-147). For their first bariatric surgical procedure, 1738 participants underwent RYGB, 610 LAGB, and 110 other procedures. At baseline, 774 (33%) had diabetes, 1252 (63%) dyslipidemia, and 1601 (68%) hypertension. Three years after surgery, median actual weight loss for RYGB participants was 41 kg (IQR, 31-52), corresponding to a percentage of baseline weight lost of 31.5% (IQR, 24.6%-38.4%). For LAGB participants, actual weight loss was 20 kg (IQR, 10-29), corresponding to 15.9% (IQR, 7.9%-23.0%). The majority of weight loss was evident 1 year after surgery for both procedures. Five distinct weight change trajectory groups were identified for each procedure. Among participants who had diabetes at baseline, 216 RYGB participants (67.5%) and 28 LAGB participants (28.6%) experienced partial remission at 3 years. The incidence of diabetes was 0.9% after RYGB and 3.2% after LAGB. Dyslipidemia resolved in 237 RYGB participants (61.9%) and 39 LAGB participants (27.1%); remission of hypertension occurred in 269 RYGB participants (38.2%) and 43 LAGB participants (17.4%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among participants with severe obesity, there was substantial weight loss 3 years after bariatric surgery, with the majority experiencing maximum weight change during the first year. However, there was variability in the amount and trajectories of weight loss and in diabetes, blood pressure, and lipid outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00465829.

Mechanism for improved insulin sensitivity after gastric bypass surgery.

CONTEXT: Surgical treatments of obesity have been shown to induce rapid and prolonged improvements in insulin sensitivity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of gastric bypass surgery and the mechanisms that explain the improvement in insulin sensitivity. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional, nonrandomized, controlled study. SETTING: This study was conducted jointly between the Departments of Exercise Science and Physiology at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. SUBJECTS: Subjects were recruited into four groups: 1) lean [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2); n = 93]; 2) weight-matched (BMI = 25 to 35 kg/m(2); n = 310); 3) morbidly obese (BMI > 35 kg/m(2); n = 43); and 4) postsurgery patients (BMI approximately 30 kg/m(2); n = 40). Postsurgery patients were weight stable 1 yr after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Whole-body insulin sensitivity, muscle glucose transport, and muscle insulin signaling were assessed. RESULTS: Postsurgery subjects had insulin sensitivity index values that were similar to the lean and higher than morbidly obese and weight-matched control subjects. Glucose transport was higher in the postsurgery vs. morbidly obese and weight-matched groups. IRS1-pSer(312) in the postsurgery group was lower than morbidly obese and weight-matched groups. Inhibitor kappaBalpha was higher in the postsurgery vs. the morbidly obese and weight-matched controls, indicating reduced inhibitor of kappaB kinase beta activity. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin sensitivity and glucose transport are greater in the postsurgery patients than predicted from the weight-matched group, suggesting that improved insulin sensitivity after bypass is due to something other than, or in addition to, weight loss. Improved insulin sensitivity is related to reduced inhibitor of kappaB kinase beta activity and enhanced insulin signaling in muscle.

Safety and efficacy of intravascular ultrasound-guided inferior vena cava filter in super obese bariatric patients.

BACKGROUND: The morbidly obese (body mass index >40 kg/m(2)) are at significant risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). Pulmonary embolism is the leading cause of death after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, approximating .5%. Because of the technical limitations with fluoroscopy and table weight limits, it has been our practice at our university-based bariatric center to offer intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement at Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to patients with a history of VTE, hypercoagulable state, or profound immobility. METHODS: The hospital and outpatient records of all 594 patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from January 1, 2004 to October 31, 2006 were reviewed. The patients who had undergone concurrent IVUS-guided IVCF placement were selected. The co-morbidities, outcomes, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 594 patients, 31 (mean body mass index 71.2 +/- 2.96 kg/m(2)) had undergone concurrent IVUS-guided IVCF placement. The indications included a history of VTE (n = 5), a known hypercoagulable state (n = 2), and profound immobility (n = 25). The technical success rate was 96.8%. One filter was malpositioned in the iliac vein. No catheter site complications occurred. A ventilation/perfusion scan and computed tomography scan each detected pulmonary embolism in 2 surviving patients within 2 months postoperatively. Two patients died, 1 on postoperative day 8 and 1 on postoperative day 15 (6.4%). The mean follow-up time was 262.8 +/- 37.3 days. Autopsy excluded VTE or IVCF-related issues as the cause of death in both patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the efficacy of IVUS-guided IVCF placement in preventing mortality from pulmonary embolism in high-risk bariatric patients. IVUS-guided IVCF placement can be safely performed with an excellent success rate in high-risk patients who would not otherwise be candidates for intervention because of the technical limitations of fluoroscopy.

Patient travel for bariatric surgery: does distance matter?

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, patients are faced with greater travel distances to undergo bariatric surgery at high-volume centers. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the impact of travel distance on access to care and outcomes after bariatric surgery. SETTING: Patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at an academic bariatric surgery center from 1985 to 2004 were examined and stratified by patient travel distance. METHODS: Univariate analyses were performed for preoperative risk factors, 30-day complications, and long-term (10-yr) weight loss between "local," defined as<1 hour of travel time, and "regional," defined as>1 hour of travel time. Survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A total of 650 patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, of whom 316 (48.6%) traveled<1 hour to undergo surgery and 334 (51.4%) traveled>1 hour. Median body mass index was equivalent between the groups (local, 52.9 kg/m2; regional, 53.2 kg/m2; P = .76). Patients who traveled longer distances had higher rates of preoperative co-morbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and sleep apnea (all P<.05). Complications within 30 days of surgery and long-term reduction of excess body mass index were equivalent between groups. Travel time was an independent predictor of risk-adjusted reduced long-term survival (hazard ratio, 1.23, P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients who underwent bariatric surgery at our center traveled>1 hour. Despite longer travel time for care, 30-day complications and long-term weight loss were equivalent with that of local patients. As expected, patients who lived in close proximity were more likely to adhere to yearly follow-up in surgery clinic. Travel time was an independent predictor of risk-adjusted reduced long-term survival.

Pulmonary embolism and gastrointestinal leak following bariatric surgery: when do major complications occur?

BACKGROUND: Complications following bariatric surgery are uncommon but potentially life threatening. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the timing of gastrointestinal leaks (GIL) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. SETTING: Retrospective analysis of the nationwide American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2011. METHODS: Data on patient demographic characteristics, baseline co-morbidities, procedural events, and postoperative occurrences were analyzed. Thirty-day morbidity was assessed. Median (interquartile range) and frequencies are reported. RESULTS: We identified 71,694 bariatric surgery patients; median age was 45 years (range 36-54 yr), and median body mass index was 44.8 kg/m(2) (range 40.8-50.3 kg/m(2)). Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed in 39,480 patients, laparoscopic adjustable band in 21,104, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in 3225, open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 4243, duodenal switch in 1064, revisional surgery in 1182, and other procedures in 1396 patients. Of these patients, 95.2% had no complications. GIL was found in 441 (.6%), deep vein thrombosis in 184 (.3%), and PE in 134 (.2%). These complications occurred 10 (5-15), 13 (7-20), and 11 (4-19) days after surgery, respectively. GIL and PE developed after discharge in 275 (62.4%) and 96 (71.6%), respectively. Only 35 (26.1%) of the patients who developed PE had deep vein thrombosis. There were no differences in patient characteristics between the groups of early PE versus postdischarge PE. Patients diagnosed with in-hospital GIL were more obese with more severe systemic disease compared with patients with postdischarge diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of GILs and PEs after bariatric surgery occur after discharge. This finding goes against the routine use of contrast studies to rule out GIL. The risk of PE remains after discharge from bariatric surgery.

Synchronous Ventral Hernia Repair in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Obesity predisposes patients to abdominal wall hernias. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery are not uncommonly found to have ventral hernias. Synchronous ventral hernia repair (S-VHR) has been reported in 2-5% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Studies reporting on the outcomes of S-VHR are limited by sample size. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of S-VHR on surgical site infection (SSI) rate. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2010 to 2011 was queried using Current Procedural Terminology codes for bariatric surgery. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, procedural events, and postoperative occurrences were analyzed. Thirty-day mortality and morbidity were assessed. Comparisons between laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were performed. RESULTS: We identified 17,117 patients who underwent RYGB or SG. S-VHR was performed in 503 (2.94%) patients. S-VHR was independently associated with SSI (odds ratios (OR) 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.58), but not overall morbidity (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.96-1.86). Four hundred thirty-three patients with RYGB and 70 with SG had S-VHR. Serious morbidity (3.5 vs. 5.7%, p = 0.32) and overall morbidity (8.3 vs. 8.6%, p = 0.942) were similar. After controlling for baseline comorbidities, there was no significant effect of procedure type on SSI (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.05-2.91). CONCLUSIONS: S-VHR is associated with an increase in SSI but not overall morbidity. There is no significant difference in the SSI rate between RYGB and SG. Larger studies are needed to definitively assess a potential difference in the wound infection rate between RYGB and SG.

Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Dialysis-Dependent Renal Failure.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity are commonly offered to patients with comorbidities previously thought to carry prohibitive operative risk. In this study, we reviewed characteristics and perioperative outcomes of patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure (DDRF) who underwent laparoscopic bariatric procedures. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database from 2006 to 2011 was reviewed. Preoperative characteristics and 30-day outcome data of patients who underwent three common laparoscopic procedures were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson chi-squared tests. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight patients (52.5 % female) with DDRF and a median body mass index (BMI) of 45.5 kg/m(2) were identified; 33.8 % (n = 47) underwent laparoscopic banding (LAGB), 48.9 % (n = 68) laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and 16.5 % (n = 23) laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). No differences were found among groups in age, prevalence of American Society of Anesthesiology IV classification, BMI, weight, gender, prevalence of diabetes, and vascular or neurologic comorbidities. Total operation time and length of hospital stay were significantly different between groups. Mortality was 0.7 %, and overall morbidity was 5.8 %. The case mix reflected a decrease in LAGB procedures from 45.5 to 23.3 % from 2006-2009 to 2010-2011 and an increase in LSG procedures from 9.1 to 24.7 % (p < 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: When performed in selected DDRF patients, bariatric surgery is safe. An increase in LSG with a concurrent decline in LAGB procedures was demonstrated over the period of the study.

Delayed repair of obstructing ventral hernias is associated with higher mortality and morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with ventral hernia-related obstruction are commonly managed with emergent ventral hernia repair (VHR). Selected patients with resolution of obstruction may be managed in a delayed manner. This study sought to assess the effect of delay on VHR outcomes. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2011 was queried using diagnosis codes for ventral hernia with obstruction. Those who underwent repair over 24 hours after admission were classified as delayed repair. Preoperative comorbid conditions, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores, and 30-day outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: We identified 16,881 patients with a mean age of 58 ± 15 years and body mass index of 36 ± 10. Delayed repair occurred in 27.7% of the patients. After controlling for comorbidities and ASA score, delayed VHR was independently associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41 to 2.48, P < .001), morbidity (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.50, P < .001), surgical site infection (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.35, P = .016), and concurrent bowel resection (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.34, P = .016). CONCLUSIONS: VHR for obstructed patients is frequently performed over 24 hours after admission. After adjusting for comorbid conditions and ASA score, delayed VHR is independently associated with worse outcomes. Prompt repair after appropriate resuscitation should be the management of choice.

Urinary Incontinence Before and After Bariatric Surgery.

IMPORTANCE: Among women and men with severe obesity, evidence for improvement in urinary incontinence beyond the first year after bariatric surgery-induced weight loss is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To examine change in urinary incontinence before and after bariatric surgery and to identify factors associated with improvement and remission among women and men in the first 3 years after bariatric surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery 2 is an observational cohort study at 10 US hospitals in 6 geographically diverse clinical centers. Participants were recruited between February 21, 2005, and February 17, 2009. Adults undergoing first-time bariatric surgical procedures as part of clinical care by participating surgeons between March 14, 2006, and April 24, 2009, were followed up for 3 years (through October 24, 2012). INTERVENTION: Participants undergoing bariatric surgery completed research assessments before the procedure and annually thereafter. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The frequency and type of urinary incontinence episodes in the past 3 months were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Prevalent urinary incontinence was defined as at least weekly urinary incontinence episodes, and remission was defined as change from prevalent urinary incontinence at baseline to less than weekly urinary incontinence episodes at follow-up. RESULTS: Of 2458 participants, 1987 (80.8%) completed baseline and follow-up assessments. At baseline, the median age was 47 years (age range, 18-78 years), the median body mass index was 46 kg/m2 (range, 34-94 kg/m2), and 1565 of 1987 (78.8%) were women. Urinary incontinence was more prevalent among women (49.3%; 95% CI, 46.9%-51.9%) than men (21.8%; 95% CI, 18.2%-26.1%) (P < .001). After a mean 1-year weight loss of 29.5% (95% CI, 29.0%-30.1%) in women and 27.0% (95% CI, 25.9%-28.6%) in men, year 1 urinary incontinence prevalence was significantly lower among women (18.3%; 95% CI, 16.4%-20.4%) and men (9.8%; 95% CI, 7.2%-13.4%) (P < .001 for all). The 3-year prevalence was higher than the 1-year prevalence for both sexes (24.8%; 95% CI, 21.8%-26.5% among women and 12.2%; 95% CI, 9.0%-16.4% among men) but was substantially lower than baseline (P < .001 for all). Weight loss was independently related to urinary incontinence remission (relative risk, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10 in women and 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13 in men) per 5% weight loss, as were younger age and the absence of a severe walking limitation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among women and men with severe obesity, bariatric surgery was associated with substantially reduced urinary incontinence over 3 years. Improvement in urinary incontinence may be an important benefit of bariatric surgery.

Hyperinsulinemic syndrome: the metabolic syndrome is broader than you think.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperinsulinemia. In 2011 we showed that gastric bypass (RYGB) corrects these high levels even though insulin resistance remains high, ie, the operation "dissociates" hyperinsulinemia from insulin resistance. RYGB produces reversal of T2DM along with other diseases associated with the metabolic syndrome. This observation led us to examine whether these illnesses also were characterized by hyperinsulinemia. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to determine whether hyperinsulinemia was present in disorders associated with the metabolic syndrome. We reviewed 423 publications. 58 were selected because of appropriate documentation of insulin measurements. Comparisons were based on whether the studies reported patients as having increased versus normal insulin levels for each metabolic disorder. RESULTS: The presence (+) or absence (-) of hyperinsulinemia was documented in these articles as follows: central obesity (4+ vs 0-), diabetes (5+ vs 0-), hypertension (9+ vs 1-), dyslipidemia (2+ vs 0-), renal failure (4+ vs 0-), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (5+ vs 0-), polycystic ovary syndrome (7+ vs 1-), sleep apnea (7+ vs 0-), certain cancers (4+ vs 1-), atherosclerosis (4+ vs 0-), and cardiovascular disease (8+ vs 0-). Four articles examined insulin levels in the metabolic syndrome as a whole (4+ vs 0-). CONCLUSION: These data document that disorders linked to the metabolic syndrome are associated with high levels of insulin, suggesting that these diseases share a common etiology that is expressed by high levels of insulin. This leads us to propose the concept of a "hyperinsulinemic syndrome" and question the safety of insulin as a chronic therapy for patients with T2DM.

Course of depressive symptoms and treatment in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery (LABS-2) study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in depressive symptoms and treatment in the first 3 years following bariatric surgery. METHODS: The longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery-2 (LABS-2) is an observational cohort study of adults (n = 2,458) who underwent a bariatric surgical procedure at 1 of 10 US hospitals between 2006 and 2009. This study includes 2,148 participants who completed the Beck depression inventory (BDI) at baseline and ≥ one follow-up visit in years 1-3. RESULTS: At baseline, 40.4% self-reported treatment for depression. At least mild depressive symptoms (BDI score ≥ 10) were reported by 28.3%; moderate (BDI score 19-29) and severe (BDI score ≥30) symptoms were uncommon (4.2 and 0.5%, respectively). Mild-to-severe depressive symptoms independently increased the odds (OR = 1.75; P = 0.03) of a major adverse event within 30 days of surgery. Compared with baseline, symptom severity was significantly lower at all follow-up time points (e.g., mild-to-severe symptomatology was 8.9%, 6 months; 8.4%, 1year; 12.2%, 2 years; 15.6%, 3 years; ps < 0.001), but increased between 1 and 3 years postoperatively (P < 0.01). Change in depressive symptoms was significantly related to change in body mass index (r = 0.42; P < 0001). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has a positive impact on depressive features. However, data suggest some deterioration in improvement after the first postoperative year. LABS-2, #NCT00465829, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00465829.

The effect of obesity in adolescence on adult health status.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that adolescent obesity would be associated with greater risks of adverse health in severely obese adults. METHODS: Before weight loss surgery, adult participants in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 underwent detailed anthropometric and comorbidity assessment. Weight status at age 18 was retrospectively determined. Participants who were ≥80% certain of recalled height and weight at age 18 (1502 of 2308) were included. Log binomial regression was used to evaluate whether weight status at age 18 was independently associated with risk of comorbid conditions at time of surgery controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Median age and adult body mass index (BMI) were 47 years and 46, respectively. At age 18, 42% of subjects were healthy weight, 29% overweight, 16% class 1 obese, and 13% class ≥2 obese. Compared with healthy weight at age 18, class ≥2 obesity at age 18 independently increased the risk of lower-extremity venous edema with skin manifestations by 435% (P < .0001), severe walking limitation by 321% (P < .0001), abnormal kidney function by 302% (P < .0001), polycystic ovary syndrome by 74% (P = .03), asthma by 48% (P = .01), diabetes by 42% (P < .01), obstructive sleep apnea by 25% (P < .01), and hypertension (by varying degrees based on age and gender). Conversely, the associated risk of hyperlipidemia was reduced by 61% (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Severe obesity at age 18 was independently associated with increased risk of several comorbid conditions in adults undergoing bariatric surgery.

GLP-1 response to a mixed meal: what happens 10 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)?

BACKGROUND: Oral meal consumption increases glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) release which maintains euglycemia by increasing insulin secretion. This effect is exaggerated during short-term follow-up of Roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB). We examined the durability of this effect in patient with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) >10 years after RYGB. METHODS: GLP-1 response to a mixed meal in the 10-year post-RYGB group (n = 5) was compared to lean (n = 9), obese (n = 6), and type 2 diabetic (n = 10) controls using a cross-sectional study design. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate GLP-1 response to mixed meal consumption from 0 to 300 min, 0-20 min, 20-60 min, and 60-300 min, respectively. Weight, insulin resistance, and T2DM were also assessed. RESULTS: GLP-1 response 0-300 min in the 10-year post-RYGB showed a statistically significant overall difference (p = 0.01) compared to controls. Furthermore, GLP-1 response 0-20 min in the 10-year post-RYGB group showed a very rapid statistically significant rise (p = 0.035) to a peak of 40 pM. GLP-1 response between 20 and 60 min showed a rapid statistically significant (p = 0.041) decline in GLP-1 response from ~40 pM to 10 pM. GLP-1 response in the 10-year post-RYGB group from 60 to 300 min showed no statistically significant difference from controls. BMI, HOMA, and fasting serum glucose before and >10 years after RYGB changed from 59.9 → 40.4, 8.7 → 0.88, and 155.2 → 87.6 mg/dl, respectively, and were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An exaggerated GLP-1 response was noted 10 years after RYGB, strongly suggesting a durability of this effect. This phenomenon may play a key role in maintaining type 2 diabetes remission and weight loss after RYGB.

Pre- to postoperative changes in physical activity: report from the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery-2 (LABS-2).

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have reported that bariatric surgery patients report more physical activity (PA) after surgery than before; however, the quality of the PA assessment has been questionable. METHODS: The longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery-2 is a 10-center longitudinal study of adults undergoing bariatric surgery. Of 2458 participants, 455 were given an activity monitor, which records the steps per minute, and an exercise diary before and 1 year after surgery. The mean number of steps/d, active min/d, and high-cadence min/wk were calculated for 310 participants who wore the monitor ≥10 hr/d for ≥3 days at both evaluations. Pre- and postoperative PA were compared for differences using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify independent preoperative predictors of postoperative PA. RESULTS: PA increased significantly (P < .0001) from before to after surgery for all PA measures. The median values before and after surgery were 7563 and 8788 steps/d, 309 and 340 active min/d, and 72 and 112 high-cadence min/wk, respectively. However, depending on the PA measure, 24-29% of participants were ≥5% less active postoperatively than preoperatively. Controlling for surgical procedure, gender, age, and body mass index, more PA preoperatively independently predicted for more PA postoperatively (P < .0001, for all PA measures). Less pain, not having asthma, and the self-report of increasing PA as a weight loss strategy preoperatively also independently predicted for more high-cadence min/wk postoperatively (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of adults increase their PA level after bariatric surgery. However, most remain insufficiently active, and some become less active. Increasing PA, addressing pain, and treating asthma before surgery might have a positive effect on postoperative PA.

Duodenal-jejunal bypass surgery does not increase skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction or glucose disposal in Goto-Kakizaki type 2 diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) has been shown to reverse type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a rodent model of non-obese T2DM. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance is a hallmark decrement in T2DM. The aim of the current work was to investigate the effects of DJB on skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction and glucose disposal. It was hypothesized that DJB would increase skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction and glucose disposal in GK rats. METHODS: DJB was performed in GK rats. Sham operations were performed in GK and nondiabetic Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. At 2 weeks post-DJB, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) was measured. At 3 weeks post-DJB, insulin-induced signal transduction and glucose disposal were measured in skeletal muscle. RESULTS: In GK rats and compared to sham operation, DJB did not (1) improve fasting glucose or insulin, (2) improve OGTT, or (3) increase skeletal muscle insulin signal transduction or glucose disposal. Interestingly, skeletal muscle glucose disposal was similar between WKY-Sham, GK-Sham, and GK-DJB. CONCLUSIONS: Bypassing of the proximal small intestine does not increase skeletal muscle glucose disposal. The lack of skeletal muscle insulin resistance in GK rats questions whether this animal model is adequate to investigate the etiology and treatments for T2DM. Additionally, bypassing of the foregut may lead to different findings in other animal models of T2DM as well as in T2DM patients.

Reproductive health of women electing bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the reproductive health history and characteristics of women having bariatric surgery and to determine whether this differs by age of onset of obesity. DESIGN: Retrospective and cross-sectional analyses of self-reported survey data. SETTING: Six sites of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 study. PATIENT(S): The study included 1,538 females having bariatric surgery. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Reported polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy and fertility history, contraceptive use, and plans for pregnancies. RESULT(S): Mean age was 44.8 years (range, 18-78 years); mean body mass index was 47.2 kg/m2 (range, 33.8-87.3 kg/m2). PCOS had been diagnosed by a health care provider in 13.1% of subjects. Of women who had tried to conceive, 41.9% experienced infertility and 61.4% had a live birth after experiencing infertility. In the whole group, prior live birth was reported by 72.5%. Women who were obese by 18 years old were more likely to report PCOS and infertility and less likely to have ever been pregnant, compared with women who became obese later in life. Future pregnancy was important to 30.3% of women younger than 45 years, whereas 48.6% did not plan to become pregnant in the future. In the year before surgery, 51.8% used contraception. CONCLUSION(S): Self-reporting of obesity by age 18 appears to be related to reproductive morbidity. Women undergoing bariatric surgery have important reproductive health care needs, including reliable contraception and counseling about plans for postoperative pregnancy.

Epidemiology of obesity in the United States.

The challenges of the epidemic are not limited to concerns about bulk and weight. The disabilities caused by obesity are physiologic and psychosocial. The increased waist to hip girth is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Obesity also has been related directly to increased risk of sleep apnea, cancer, gallbladder disease, musculoskeletal disorders, severe pancreatitis, bacterial panniculitis, diverticulitis, infertility, urinary incontinence, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The psychosocial factors and quality of life in the obese population also have been documented. Although there is some debate, the obese have been found to be twice as likely to suffer from anxiety, impaired social interaction,and depression when compared with the nonobese population. Although advances in obesity surgery have resulted in long-term, lasting treatment of this disease and some of its comorbidities (ie, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea), There is a pressing need to develop a comprehensive medical and nutrition plan to reduce the prevalence of this newly identified disease state. Some draw parallels to tobacco and the morbidity and mortality associated with its use. Perhaps there are similarities in these two epidemics. Both start with education of the population as to the morbidities and mortality associated with the disease. As with tobacco, this education is especially important for youth. Without a plan of education to promote nutrition and increased physical activity, and continued research into the causes of obesity, the prevalence of obesity will continue to rise in the United States.