Disorders associated with clinically severe obesity: significant improvement after surgical weight reduction.
BACKGROUND
Surgical treatment for patients with clinically severe obesity mainly aims to reduce morbidity.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients were examined for disorders associated with morbid obesity before and after surgical weight reduction by vertical banded gastroplasty. All patients were followed-up for 12 to 48 months.


RESULTS
At the end of the first postoperative year, 84% of the patients had lost at least 50% of their excess weight. Of the 218 weight-related pathologic conditions existing before the operation, 131 (60%) were completely cured, 50 (23%) showed significant improvement, and only 37 (17%) remained unchanged. The same percentages were obtained for patients followed tip for 24, 36, and 48 postoperative months.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical treatment of clinically severe obesity has a significant effect on the health of the patients by eliminating the associated disorders.
Melissas
J
J
Department of Surgical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Christodoulakis
M
M
Spyridakis
M
M
Schoretsanitis
G
G
Michaloudis
D
D
Papavasiliou
E
E
Tsiftsis
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000517:prevention & control; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D015431:Weight Loss
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; C016674:Plastipore; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D014280:Triglycerides; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene