Quality of life after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Pre-operative, 1-year and 5-year results

INTRODUCTION: The negative impact of obesity on the quality of life (QoL) and its association with multiple comorbidities is unquestionable. The primary objective of this study was to compare the QoL of patients before, 1 year and 5 years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Secondary objectives were to evaluate the resolution of obesity-related comorbidities and weight loss success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included patients who underwent LSG for body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2) between August 2016 and April 2017 and completed the Moorehead-Ardelt QoL Questionnaire II (MA II). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS IBM Statistics for Windows version 21. RESULTS: In total, 64 patients participated with a female majority (73.44%) and a mean age of 36.09 with an average BMI at 40.47. Percentage of excess BMI loss and excess weight loss (% EWL) at one and 5 years after surgery went from 90.18% to 85.05% and 72.17% to 67.09%, respectively. The total MA II score before LSG was − 0.39 ± 0.94. Postoperatively, it increased to 1.73 ± 0.60 at 1 year and 1.95 ± 0.67 at 5 years. The positive impact of LSG on QoL was more significant in patients presenting ≥30% of weight loss and in females. At 5 years, a significant improvement in many comorbidities was noted except for arterial hypertension, coxalgia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and lower extremities’ varices. CONCLUSION: LSG maintains a long-term QoL improvement, a significant EWL and a resolution of the most common obesity-associated comorbidities such as diabetes, dyslipidaemia and symptoms related to sleep apnoea.