Postoperative Follow-up After Bariatric Surgery: Effect on Weight Loss

Obes Surg. 2016 Apr;26(4):900-3. doi: 10.1007/s11695-016-2059-6.

Abstract

While adherence to long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery is a mandate for center of excellence certification, the effect of attrition on weight loss is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of postoperative follow-up on 12-month weight loss using the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database (BOLD) dataset. Patients with complete follow-up (3, 6, and 12 months) were compared to patients who had one or more prior missed visits. There were 51,081 patients with 12-month follow-up data available. After controlling for baseline characteristics, complete follow-up was independently associated with excess weight loss ≥50%, and total weight loss ≥30%. Adherence to postoperative follow-up is independently associated with improved 12-month weight loss after bariatric surgery. Bariatric programs should strive to achieve complete follow-up for all patients.

Keywords: Adherence; Attrition; Bariatric surgery; Follow-up; Weight loss.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bariatric Surgery*
  • Continuity of Patient Care
  • Datasets as Topic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • No-Show Patients*
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery*
  • Postoperative Period
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss*