Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: initial results of 120 consecutive patients at a single British Columbia surgical center

Background The prevalence of obesity in Canada is increasing, therefore, it has become imminently important to treat these patients in a timely manner. Methods A total of 120 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure (2004 to 2006), with a mean postoperative follow-up period of 19 months, were divided into 2 chronologic groups and analyzed retrospectively. Results The overall postoperative excess weight loss was 78.1% (SD, 14.3%) from the time of inclusion into the study preoperatively (average wait time, 21 mo) to 12 months postoperatively. No preoperative weight loss was recorded. A surgeon-dependent learning curve was shown with a decrease in surgical time as well as surgery-related complications. Obesity-associated comorbidities decreased whereas quality of life increased. Conclusions Despite a structured multidisciplinary approach to alter lifestyle and daily caloric intake preoperatively, only laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass showed effective weight loss and reduced associated comorbidities.