Postoperative grazing as a risk factor for negative outcomes after bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: After bariatric surgery, de novo eating patterns can develop, such as grazing. Although grazing has been associated with poorer weight loss, it has received minimal attention. We aimed to assess the influence of grazing in clinical, biochemical and psychological outcomes in a bariatric surgery sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients (78.3%♀, age 46.35±9.89, months since BS 46.28±18.1) who underwent BS were evaluated cross-sectionally. Clinical, biochemical and psychological parameters were recorded. A pattern of grazing was assessed in this group of patients through interview. RESULTS: 41.7% met criteria for grazing. Mean time since BS was greater in the group with grazing (57.64±23.7months vs 38.8±26.44months; p=0.008). Although there were no differences in initial and current BMI, the percentage of patients with weight regain was greater among patients with grazing (72% vs 11.7%; p<0.0001) and the percentage of excess weight loss was lower (28.15±6.96% vs 33.35±11.9%; p=0.05). There were more difficulties in following the standardized visits according to our hospital's protocol (17.6% vs 56%; p=0.009). No significant differences were found when assessing presurgical psychiatric comorbidity among patients with a grazing pattern and individuals without this condition (68% vs 55.9%; p=0.423). When assessing quality of life only mental health was lower among patients with grazing (49.6±22.7 vs 64.2±23.3; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Development of grazing is frequent after BS, especially when weight loss has reached a plateau. Due to its potential association with weight regain, systematic screening of grazing after BS is warranted.

Cardiovascular risk profile in Mediterranean patients submitted to bariatric surgery and intensive lifestyle intervention: impact of both interventions after 1 year of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to compare obesity-related cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (classic and emerging) and the estimated CV risk at 10 years (calculated by REGICOR) in obese Mediterranean patients submitted to bariatric surgery and intensive lifestyle intervention at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: Patients submitted to bariatric surgery (n = 108) and standardized program of therapeutic changes in lifestyle (n = 90) were retrospectively included. Clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory analysis were routinely determined before weight loss intervention and at 1 year follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the surgery patients had a CV risk lower than 5 % and not one patient had a 10-year CV risk higher than 15 %. The percentage of patients with comorbidities (diabetes and sleep apnea syndrome) was higher in the surgery group. Seventeen of the surgery patients had no comorbidities. The improvement in CV risk profile was significant higher in the surgery group. CV risk benefit of both intervention groups was related to baseline higher CV risk, with type 2 diabetes with poor metabolic control and high cholesterol levels being the most important predictors for surgery patients. Neither body mass index nor excess of weight loss was related to CV risk improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Mediterranean patients undergoing a weight loss intervention have a low CV risk. In comparison with lifestyle intervention, surgery induces a better improvement of CV risk. This benefit is related to estimated CV risk, presence of diabetes, and cholesterol levels at baseline. These observations should be taken into account in order to optimize health resources.