title: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a single-stage procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and the resulting quality of life, resolution of comorbidities, food tolerance, and 6-year weight loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This retrospective study evaluated long-term weight loss, resolution of comorbidities, quality of life (QoL), and food tolerance after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2003 and July 2008, 102 patients underwent LSG as a sole bariatric operation. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed. Demographics, complications, and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were determined. Quality of life was measured using Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) questionnaires, which were sent to all patients. The food tolerance score (FTS) was determined and compared with that of nonobese subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 83 patients (81.4%) were eligible for follow-up evaluation. Their mean initial body mass index (BMI) was 39.3 kg/m(2). No major complications occurred. At a median follow-up point of 49 months (range, 17-80 months), the mean %EWL was 72.3% ± 29.3%. For the 23 patients who reached the 6-year follow-up point, the mean %EWL was 55.9% ± 25.55%. The mean BAROS score was 6.5 ± 2.1, and a "good" to "excellent" score was observed for 75 patients (90.4%). In the comparison of patients with a %EWL greater than 50% and those with a %EWL of 50% or less, the SF-36 scores were statistically different only for "physical functioning" and "general health perception." The mean FTS was 23.8, and 95.2% of the patients described their food tolerance as acceptable to excellent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective bariatric procedure, although a tendency for weight regain is noted after 5 years of follow-up evaluation. Resolution of comorbidity is comparable with that reported in the literature. The LSG procedure results in good to excellent health-related QoL. Food tolerance is lower for patients after LSG than for nonobese patients who had no surgery, but 95.2% described food tolerance as acceptable to excellent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Surgery, Groeninge Hospital, President Kennedylaan 4, 8500, Kortrijk, Belgium. mathieudhondt2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Hondt
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanneste
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pottel
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Devriendt
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Rooy
authors.forename: Franky
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vansteenkiste
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult