Good weight loss responders and poor weight loss responders after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: clinical and nutritional profiles

Bariatric surgery is one of the main treatments for severity obesity, but weight regain after surgery is an important issue. To compare the clinical and nutritional profiles of good and poor weight loss responders in the late postoperative period after bariatric surgery. A cross-sectional study with patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a University Hospital. Patients were divided into good weight loss responders (GWLR) and poor weight loss responders (PWLR) defined as ≥ 50% or < 50% excess weight loss (EWL), respectively, at least 2 years post-surgery. The sample included 204 individuals (87.7% women; mean age 50.15 ± 11.1 years; mean time after surgery 67.38 ± 30.76 months). Two years post-surgery, 71.1% were considered GWLR and 28.9% PWLR (mean EWL 72.33% ± 13.86%, and 35.06% ± 12.10%, respectively; p = 0.000). Weight regain was < 10% for 36.3% of patients, 10.1-20% for 36.3%, and > 20% for 21.3%, compared with the lowest post-surgery weight. Among PWLR, 49.0% regained > 20% of the lowest post-surgery weight. GWLR lost most weight at all time points analyzed (p < 0.05). GWLR presented improvement or remission of diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension more frequently compared to PWLR (p < 0.05). Eating patterns was similar between GWLR and PWLR (p > 0.05, study's power 100%). Quality of life improved in 79.5% of the total study sample, with greater improvements in the GWLR (p < 0.05). Greater weight loss correlated with improved remission in comorbidities and better quality of life.