Is Adherence to Follow-Up After Bariatric Surgery Necessary? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The association of adherence to follow-up (FU) after laparoscopic gastric bypass - and gastric sleeve with weight loss (WL) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate this association. Fourteen full text articles were included in the systematic review. Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis concerning FU up to 3 years postoperatively and 3 for the FU between 3 and 10 years postoperatively. Results showed a significant association between adherence to FU 0.5 to 3 years postoperatively and percentage excess WL (%EWL) but did not demonstrate a significant association between FU > 3 years postoperatively and total WL (%TWL). In conclusion, adherence to FU may not be associated with WL and therefore stringent lifelong FU in its current form should be evaluated.