Gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention after bariatric surgery: data from a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether international guidelines on gestational weight gain can be used in pregnancies after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVES: To investigate gestational weight gain, intrauterine growth, and postpartum weight retention in postbariatric women. SETTING: 8 Belgian hospitals. METHODS: Prospective data from 127 postbariatric pregnancies from September 2014 through October 2018. Patients were grouped according to achievement of 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. RESULTS: In 127 patients with a mean age of 30.2 years (standard deviation [SD], 4.7), the mean gestational weight gain was 12.5 kg (SD, 6.7). Of these patients, 24% (30 of 127) showed insufficient weight gain, 20% (26 of 127) showed adequate weight gain, and 56% (71 of 127) showed excessive weight gain. Of 127 patients, 27 (21%) had small-for-gestational-age infants. This peaked in the group with insufficient weight gain (47%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 29%-65%; P < .001). The prevalence of large-for-gestational-age infants was comparable between groups, although highest in the group with excessive weight gain (0% in those with insufficient weight gain, 4% in those with adequate weight gain, and 8% in those with excessive weight gain). Preterm births were recorded more in patients with insufficient weight gain (23%; 95% CI, 8%-38%; P = .048). The mean amounts of postpartum weight retained were 4.0 kg (SD, 7.4) at 6 weeks and 3.0 kg (SD, 9.1) at 6 months. Weight retention at 6 weeks (7.1 kg; 95% CI, 5.5-8.7; P < .001) and 6 months (8.3 kg; 95% CI, 4.5-12.2; P < .001) was highest in women gaining excessive weight. CONCLUSION: Achievement of IOM guidelines is low in postbariatric pregnancies. Insufficient weight gain increases the risk for small-for-gestational-age babies. Excessive weight gain increases weight retention after delivery and could precipitate weight regain. After bariatric surgery, women should be encouraged to achieve IOM recommendations.

Banded Sleeve Gastrectomy: Better Long-Term Results? A Long-Term Cohort Study Until 5 Years Follow-Up in Obese and Superobese Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The failure rate of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is increasing. Gastric pouch dilation is frequently suggested to be one of the causes for the failure. The banded laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (BLSG) has been proposed to overcome this complication. This is the first study that reports the long-term outcome (> 5 years) of BLSG in obese and superobese patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-seven patients (n = 51, non-banded LSG (NLSG)/n = 96, BLSG) were followed up for 5 years. Patients were evaluated for % excess weight loss (%EWL), % excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL), weight regain, BMI, and complications. Weight loss analysis was also done between banded and non-banded superobese patient populations. RESULT: There was statistical significant difference between two groups at each given time point in terms of %EWL and %EBMIL. NLSG group had higher weight loss failure rate (35.2%) and weight regain (19.6%) at the 5-year follow-up compared to BLSG group (P < 0.001). There was no statistical significant difference in weight loss between obese and superobese BLSG group. The complication rates were more with BLSG group (14.5%) compared to NLSG group (9.8%); no signs of band slippage, erosion, or migration were seen. There was no mortality seen. CONCLUSION: BLSG surgery was found to be safe and effective in maintaining weight loss on the long term compared to the NLSG group with low incidence of band-related problems. Additionally, the NLSG group had a higher rate of weight loss failure and weight regain at 5 years compared to the BLSG group.

Contraception, Menstruation, and Sexuality after Bariatric Surgery: a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Women with a history of bariatric surgery are recommended to avoid pregnancy at least 12 months after surgery. Evidence on the impact of bariatric surgery on contraception, menstrual cycle, and sexuality in the first year postoperative is therefore indispensable. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to prospectively study changes in contraception, menstrual cycle and sexuality in women of reproductive age following bariatric surgery. SETTING: The study was conducted in two secondary medical centers and a tertiary academic medical center. METHODS: Women attending for bariatric surgery or who recently underwent bariatric surgery completed online questionnaires about contraception, menstrual cycle, and sexual behavior before surgery and 6 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The study included data from 71 women, including 70 and 47 women at 6 and 12 months after bariatric surgery, respectively. Preoperatively, 43.6% (n = 31/71) used a short-acting hormonal contraceptive, the usage of which decreased significantly to, respectively, 32.8% (n = 23/70; p = .031) and 27.7% (n = 13/47; p = .022) 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Usage of long-acting contraceptive methods increased from 26.7% (n = 19/71) preoperatively to 38.6% (n = 27/70; p = .021) and 42.6% (n = 20/47; p = .004) at 6 and 12 months. Combined oral contraceptives (COC) remained used (39.4% preoperatively, 27.1 and 14.9% at 6 and 12 months postoperatively). Menstrual cycle (frequency, pattern, duration of the cycle, and the menstruation itself) and sexual behavior (intimate relationship, frequency of intercourse, and satisfaction) did not differ significantly before and after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Women undergoing bariatric surgery appear to switch their type of contraceptive from oral, short-acting hormonal contraceptives to non-oral, long-acting contraceptives. No changes in menstrual cycle and sexual behavior were shown.

Correction to: Contraception, Menstruation, and Sexuality after Bariatric Surgery: a Prospective Cohort Study.

The spelling of author name Jill Shawe was incorrect in the original article. It is correct here.

Banded Gastric Bypass: Better Long-Term Results? A Cohort Study with Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: While gastric bypass has been the treatment of choice for morbid obesity, insufficient weight loss and even weight regain has been observed in a sub-group of patients. Dilatation of the pouch, pouch outlet, and proximal alimentary limb have been suggested to cause weight regain on the long term. The banded gastric bypass surgery has been introduced to overcome this problem. METHODS: Four hundred thirty-two patients (n = 254, non-banded/n = 178, banded-GaBP Ring™) were followed-up for 5 years. Patients were evaluated for weight loss, % excess weight loss (%EWL), weight regain and BMI. RESULTS: No significant differences between groups in the first year following surgery were observed in terms of weight loss and %EWL. %EWL at 5 years was as follows: non-banded 65.2 ± 20.0 %; banded 74.0 ± 15.1 %. At 5 years, the banded group showed more weight loss (non-banded 35.4 ± 12.5; banded 43.9 ± 11.9 kg, P < 0.0001); weight regain was significantly higher in the non-banded group (P < 0.0001). Only minor complications were reported; no signs of ring migration or slippage were reported. CONCLUSION: Although, following the first year after surgery, no differences in treatment groups were observed in terms of weight loss, 5 years following surgery, patients who received banded surgery maintained better weight loss and had less weight regain compared to the non-banded group. These results suggest that laparoscopic banded gastric bypass using a silastic ring was effective in maintaining weight loss on the long term, while the complication rate was low. The banded gastric bypass is regarded by us as the new gold standard.

AURORA: bariatric surgery registration in women of reproductive age - a multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The expansion of the obesity epidemic is accompanied with an increase in bariatric procedures, in particular in women of reproductive age. The weight loss induced by the surgery is believed to reverse the negative impact of overweight and obesity on female reproduction, however, research is limited to in particular retrospective cohort studies and a growing number of small case-series and case-(control) studies. METHODS/DESIGN: AURORA is a multicenter prospective cohort study. The main objective is to collect long-term data on reproductive outcomes before and after bariatric surgery and in a subsequent pregnancy. Women aged 18-45 years are invited to participate at 4 possible inclusion moments: 1) before surgery, 2) after surgery, 3) before 15 weeks of pregnancy and 4) in the immediate postpartum period (day 3-4). Depending on the time of inclusion, data are collected before surgery (T1), 3 weeks and 3, 6, 12 or x months after surgery (T2-T5) and during the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy (T6-T8), at delivery (T9) and 6 weeks and 6 months after delivery (T10-T11). Online questionnaires are send on the different measuring moments. Data are collected on contraception, menstrual cycle, sexuality, intention of becoming pregnant, diet, physical activity, lifestyle, psycho-social characteristics and dietary supplement intake. Fasting blood samples determine levels of vitamin A, D, E, K, B-1, B-12 and folate, albumin, total protein, coagulation parameters, magnesium, calcium, zinc and glucose. Participants are weighted every measuring moment. Fetal ultrasounds and pregnancy course and complications are reported every trimester of pregnancy. Breastfeeding is recorded and breast milk composition in the postpartum period is studied. DISCUSSION: AURORA is a multicenter prospective cohort study extensively monitoring women before undergoing bariatric surgery until a subsequent pregnancy and postpartum period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered (July 2015 - NCT02515214 ).

Banded gastric bypass - four years follow up in a prospective multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: The gastric bypass is the gold standard of bariatric surgery. Nevertheless some patients show insufficient weight loss or weight regain. Dilation of the pouch or the pouch outlet may be the cause. The banded gastric bypass tries to overcome dilation by placing an implant around the pouch or pouch outlet. In this study we describe our results using the GaBP™ ring system in banded gastric bypass operations in 3 bariatric centers. METHODS: 183 patients in 3 bariatric reference centers received a banded gastric bypass operation using the GaBP™ ring system. Up to 4 years follow up was evaluated including weight loss and complications. RESULTS: Mean EWL after 6 Months was 60% with a mean BMI of 30.1 kg/m2. After one year mean EWL reached 75.3% with a mean BMI of 27 kg/m2 (110 patients). After two and three years the EWL was 78.8% (n = 49) and 79.9% (n = 35). There was a mean EWL of 85% after 4 years. Thirteen patients finished a 4 year follow up period and mean BMI after 4 years was 25.2 kg/m2. In the perioperative and early postoperative period there was a low complication rate (4.3%). Stenosis or dysphagia was observed in only one patient. There was only one ring related complication. CONCLUSION: Banded gastric bypass using the GaBP™ ring system allows good weight loss with no regain of weight in a four year follow up. The complication rate is low. A randomized controlled trial is currently underway to compare banded and conventional gastric bypass.