title: Predictors of a successful medical weight loss program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many practices are creating weight loss programs, in preparation for bariatric surgery or for patients who wish to lose weight without surgery. Preoperative weight loss may be associated with improved postoperative weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities. The aim of this study is to investigate the success of a preoperative weight loss program at a single institution and the variables associated with success in weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled patients in a once monthly multidisciplinary preoperative weight loss program and evaluated % total weight lost over the 6-month program for primary and for revisional bariatric surgical patients. Demographic characteristics, weight, program related factors, and co-morbidities were recorded. One-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression models were carried out to assess variables. Parameter estimates of multiple linear regression models were reported. Statistical significance was set at .05 and analysis was done using SAS 9.3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 133 patients enrolled and completed the program over a period of 14 months. Only 50.8% of the patients lost weight with average weight loss of .1±4.0 lbs. Patient׳s sex, insurance, psychiatric history, co-morbidities, referral status, or type of counseling had no significant effect on weight loss (P>.05). Patients between 30 and 50 years old on average were more successful in losing weight (P = .018). Patients considering revisional surgery were less successful preoperatively compared to first time candidates (P = .0007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients between 30 and 50 years of age, first time surgical candidates, and those with higher weights may be more successful in losing weight in a preoperative bariatric weight loss program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York. Electronic address: Maria.Altieri@stonybrookmedicine.edu.
authors.forename: Maria S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Altieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tuppo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: Dana A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Telem
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: Darragh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herlihy
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cottell
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: Aurora D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pryor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Medical weight loss; Predictors; Success