title: Long-term results 11 years after primary gastric bypass in 384 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) as treatment of morbid obesity results in substantial weight loss. Most published long-term studies have included few patients at the last follow-up point. The aim of the present study was to explore long-term results in a large cohort of patients 7-17 years after gastric bypass.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 539 patients who had undergone primary RYGB from 1993 to 2003 at Uppsala and Örebro University Hospitals received a questionnaire regarding their postoperative status. Blood samples were obtained and the medical charts studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 539 patients, 384 responded (71.2% response rate, mean age 37.9 yr, body mass index 44.5 kg/m(2) at surgery, 317 women, and 67 men). At a mean follow-up of 11.4 years (range 7-17), the body mass index had decreased to 32.5 kg/m(2), corresponding to an excess body mass index loss of 63.3%. Similar weight loss was observed, regardless of the length of follow-up. Orally treated diabetes resolved in 72% and sleep apnea and hyperlipidemia were improved. Revisional bariatric surgery had been performed in 2.1% and abdominoplasty in 40.2%. The gastrointestinal symptoms were considered tolerable. The overall result was satisfactory for 79% of the patients and 92% would recommend Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to a friend. Attendance to the annual checkups was 37%. Vitamin B12 supplements were taken by 72% and multivitamins by 24%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At 11 years, substantial weight loss was maintained and revisional surgery was rare. Surprisingly few patients were compliant with the recommendation of lifelong supplements and yearly evaluations; however, patient satisfaction was high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: dedholm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edholm
authors.forename: Felicity
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.forename: Ingmar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Näslund
authors.forename: F Anders
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rask
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sundbom
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome