Effect of preoperative weight loss on laparoscopic gastric bypass outcomes

Abstract Background Requiring patients to lose weight before weight reduction surgery is controversial. The goal of this study was to determine whether preoperative weight loss affects laparoscopic Roux-en- Y gastric bypass surgery outcomes. Methods The medical records of all laparoscopic Roux-en- Y gastric bypass patients from September 1, 2001 to March 31, 2005 were retrospectively reviewed in our prospective database. Depending on their habitus, patients were selectively required to lose >4.54 kg (10 lb) preoperatively (WL group). Their outcomes were compared with those of the patients not required to lose weight preoperatively (no-WL group). Statistical analysis was performed with the chi-square test and Student's t test for demographic data. Student's t test was used to assess the outcome data. P