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Background: National prevalence rates for obesity and heart failure (HF) have been steadily increasing, which predisposes patients to higher morbidity and mortality rates., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HF stages in hospitalized patients according to their body mass index (BMI)., Setting: Academic institution., Methods: National Inpatient Sample data from 2016 to 2018 were examined to identify patients with obesity, HF (presence or absence of advanced HF [AHF]), and cardiogenic shock (CS). The proportion of hospital admissions was determined for each category on the basis of the presence of AHF with/without CS. A comparative analysis was performed between patients with and without AHF, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for the event of AHF. The same analyses were performed for the event of CS., Results: A total of 3,354,970 hospital admissions were identified. The prevalence of hospital admissions with a diagnosis of AHF and class III obesity and a diagnosis of CS and class III obesity was 21% and .5%, respectively. The prevalence of AHF and other classes of BMI and CS and other classes of BMI was 17% and .5%, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that there were significant variations in 10 factors between hospital admissions with/without the diagnosis of both AHF and CS. Statistical analyses indicated the following findings: Hospitalized patients in higher obesity groups are more likely to have AHF, and they are less likely to have CS compared with those with a BMI of ≤29.9., Conclusions: This study revealed that the prevalence of AHF was significantly higher in hospitalized patients with class III obesity. These findings have implications for clinical management, and it can be inferred that these patients are less likely to receive advanced cardiac replacement therapies and might benefit from innovative approaches to address severe dual morbidity., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recent research has shown beneficial effects of bariatric surgery (BaS) on the risk of developing acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, this patient population may be at increased risk of complications, especially postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC)., Objectives: To analyze the incidence of PPC in patients with COPD undergoing BaS., Setting: Academic Hospital, United States., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database for patients aged ≥18 years undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass during 2015-2019. The primary outcome of the study was any PPC, defined as a composite variable including postoperative pneumonia, mechanical ventilation >48 hours and unplanned endotracheal intubation. A univariate analysis was performed to compare patients with and without COPD, and a multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounders. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare endpoints in patients with COPD with or without home oxygen requirements., Results: A total of 752,722 patients were included in our analysis (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy = 73.2%, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass = 26.8%). PPC occurred in 2390 patients, 0.3% without COPD versus 1.3% with COPD (P < .001). Multivariable analysis confirmed that COPD independently increases the risk of PPC (OR = 1.7, CI = 1.4-2.1). Subgroup analysis showed that patients who are oxygen dependent had a much higher risk for PPC (2.4% versus 1.1%, P < .001)., Conclusion: PPC are higher among patients with obesity and concomitant COPD. Oxygen dependency confers an even higher complication rate. The risk and benefits of BaS in this population must be carefully addressed., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Robotic surgery is becoming increasingly popular in bariatric-metabolic surgery. However, its superiority regarding postoperative outcomes compared with conventional laparoscopy has not been clearly proven. With growing adoption of robotic surgery and improved technologies, benefits should become more evident., Objectives: Evaluate readmission and reoperation rates after bariatric-metabolic surgery performed by conventional laparoscopy versus robotic-assisted from 2015 to 2021., Setting: Academic institution., Methods: The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) was reviewed for primary bariatric operations performed with conventional laparoscopy versus robotic-assisted. Postoperative outcomes were compared in a propensity score-matched sample., Results: Of 1,059,348 cases meeting inclusion criteria, 921,322 (87%) were conventional laparoscopic bariatric-metabolic surgeries, which were matched 1:1 with robotic-assisted cases (138,026). Reoperation (odds ratio [OR] 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.15, P = .0463), postoperative morbidity (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01-1.12, P = .0193), readmission (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.09-1.18, P < .0001), and emergency department visits (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03-1.09, P = .0003) at 30 days postoperatively were significantly greater for robotic-assisted cases. Robotic-assisted cases had a similar mortality rate at 30 days postoperatively and length of stay >3 days when compared with conventional laparoscopic cases. Similar results were observed in cases from 2020 to 2021, except for reoperation and emergency department visits, which showed no difference between groups and length of stay >3 days, which was greater in robotic-assisted cases., Conclusions: Our results show a greater readmission and reoperation rate and greater morbidity at 30 days postoperatively in robotic-assisted bariatric-metabolic surgery compared with conventional laparoscopy. Analyzing only cases performed between 2020 and 2021, robotic surgery also does not show superiority over conventional laparoscopy., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is a potent intervention for addressing obesity-related medical conditions and achieving sustainable weight loss. Beyond its conventional role, MBS has demonstrated potential to serve as a transitional step for patients requiring various interventions. However, the implications of MBS in the context of neoplasia remain understudied., Objectives: To explore the feasibility of MBS as a possible attempt to reduce surgical and treatment risks in patients with benign tumors or low-grade cancers., Setting: Multicenter review from twelve tertiary referral centers spanning 8 countries., Methods: A retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of primary neoplasia, deemed inoperable or high-risk due to obesity, and receiving primary MBS prior to neoplastic therapy. Data encompassed baseline characteristics, neoplasia characteristics, MBS outcomes, and neoplastic therapy outcomes., Results: Thirty-seven patients (median age 52 years, 75.7% female, median BMI of 49.1 kg/m 2 ) were included. There were 9 distinct organs of origin of primary neoplasia, with the endometrium (43.2%) being the most common, followed by the pancreas, colon, kidney and breast. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was the most commonly performed MBS procedure (78.4%), with no MBS-related complications or mortalities reported over an average of 4.3 ± 3.9 years. Thirty-one patients (83.8%) eventually underwent neoplastic surgery, with a mean BMI decrease from 49.9 kg/m 2 to 39.7 kg/m 2 at surgery over an average of 5.8 ± 4.8 months. There were 2 (6.7%) documented mortalities associated with neoplastic surgical intervention., Conclusions: This study highlights the potential feasibility of employing MBS prior to neoplastic therapy in patients with low-grade, less aggressive neoplasms in the context of obesity. This underscores the importance of providing a personalized, case-to-case multidisciplinary approach in the management of these patients., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We previously demonstrated how kidney injury in patients with morbid obesity can be reversed by bariatric surgery (BaS)., Objective(s): Based on previous experience, we hypothesize patients' potentially reversible kidney injury might be secondary to reduction in renal blood flow (RBF), which improves following BaS., Setting: Academic Hospital., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent BaS at our institution from 2002 to 2019. We identified patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration Study (CKD-EPI) classification system. We used the BUN/Creatinine (Cr) ratio pre- and postoperatively to determine a prerenal (decreased RBF) versus intrinsic component as the responsible cause of CKD in this patient population. Decreased RBF was defined as BUN/Cr > 20 preoperatively., Results: Our analysis included n = 2924 patients, of which 11% (n = 325) presented decreased RBF. From our original sample, only n = 228 patients had the complete data necessary to assess both eGFR and RBF (BUN/Cr). Patients with baseline CKD stage 2 demonstrated preoperative BUN/Cr 20.85 ± 10.23 decreasing to 14.99 ± 9.10 at 12-month follow-up (P < .01). Patients with baseline CKD stage 3 presented with preoperative BUN/Cr 23.88 ± 8.75; after 12-month follow-up, BUN/Cr ratio decreased to 16.38 ± 9.27 (P < .01). Patients with CKD stage 4 and ESRD (eGFR < 30) did not demonstrate a difference for pre- and postoperative BUN/Cr 21.71 ± 9.28 and 19.21 ± 14.58, respectively., Conclusion(s): According to our findings, patients with CKD stages 1-3 present improvement of their kidney function after BaS. This amelioration could be secondary to improvement of the RBF, an unstudied reversible mechanism of kidney injury in the bariatric population., (Copyright © 2023 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) has emerged as an innovative technique with promising applications in various surgical specialties. However, clinical implementation is hampered by limited availability of evidence-based reference work supporting the translation towards standard-of-care use in surgical practice. Therefore, we developed a consensus statement on current applications of FGS., Methods: During an international FGS course, participants anonymously voted on 36 statements. Consensus was defined as agreement ≥70% with participation grade of ≥80%. All participants of the questionnaire were stratified for user and handling experience within five domains of applicability (lymphatics & lymph node imaging; tissue perfusion; biliary anatomy and urinary tracts; tumor imaging in colorectal, HPB, and endocrine surgery, and quantification and (tumor-) targeted imaging). Results were pooled to determine consensus for each statement within the respective sections based on the degree of agreement., Results: In total 43/52 (81%) course participants were eligible as voting members for consensus, comprising the expert panel (n = 12) and trained users (n = 31). Consensus was achieved in 17 out of 36 (45%) statements with highest level of agreement for application of FGS in tissue perfusion and biliary/urinary tract visualization (71% and 67%, respectively) and lowest within the tumor imaging section (0%)., Conclusions: FGS is currently established for tissue perfusion and vital structure imaging. Lymphatics & lymph node imaging in breast cancer and melanoma are evolving, and tumor tissue imaging holds promise in early-phase trials. Quantification and (tumor-)targeted imaging are advancing toward clinical validation. Additional research is needed for tumor imaging due to a lack of consensus., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Statement: One author has disclosed the following potential conflicts of interest: S. Gioux (SG) is a full-time employee of Intuitive Surgical. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after surgery increases long-term risk of kidney dysfunction. The major risk factor for AKI after bariatric surgery is having preoperative renal insufficiency. Little is known about the outcomes and risk factors for developing AKI in patients undergoing bariatric surgery with normal renal function., Objective: We aimed to describe factors that may increase risk of AKI after primary bariatric surgery in patients without history of kidney disease., Setting: Academic hospital, United States., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program data registry for patients aged ≥18 years undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) from 2015 to 2019. Patients with diagnosis of chronic kidney disease were excluded. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI. Secondary outcomes included 30-day complications, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify differences between patients with and without AKI., Results: A total of 747,926 patients were included in our analysis (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy = 73.1%, LRYGB = 26.8%). Mean age was 44.40 ± 11.94 years, with female predominance (79.7%). AKI occurred in 446 patients (.05%). Patients with postoperative AKI had higher rates of complications, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality. Significant predictors of AKI were male sex, history of venous thromboembolism, hypertension, limitation for ambulation, and LRYGB. High albumin levels and White race were protective factors., Conclusions: New-onset AKI was associated with adverse 30-day outcomes in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Male sex, venous thromboembolism, hypertension, limited ambulation, and LRYGB were independent predictors of AKI. Prospective studies are needed to better describe these results., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Severe obesity could be an independent risk factor for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI). Bariatric surgery reduces cardiac risk factors, decreasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in subjects with severe obesity., Objectives: We aimed to describe the impact of bariatric surgery on risk of hospitalization due to PAD and CLI., Setting: Academic hospital., Methods: The National Inpatient Sample data collected from 2010 to 2015 were examined. Patients were classified as treatment and control groups. Treatment was defined as patients with a previous history of bariatric surgery, and control was defined as patients with a body mass index ≥35 without a history of bariatric surgery. The primary outcome was hospitalization due to PAD; secondary outcomes were CLI, revascularization, major amputation, length of hospital stay (LOS), and total cost of hospitalization. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the differences between groups., Results: There were a total of 2,300,845 subjects: 2,004,804 controls and 296,041 treatment patients. Hospitalization rate for PAD was significantly lower compared to the control group (.10% versus .21%, P < .0001), which was confirmed after adjusting for covariables (control versus treatment: odds ratio= 1.20, confidence interval: 1.15-1.47). Subgroup analysis showed patients without a history of bariatric surgery had a higher prevalence of CLI (59.3% versus 52.4%, P < .0219) and a higher mean LOS (6.7 versus 5.7 days, P = .0023) and cost of hospitalization (78.756 versus 72.621$, P = .0089), with no significant differences in other outcomes. After multivariate analysis, only LOS and total costs were significantly different., Conclusions: Bariatric surgery may decrease the risk of hospitalization due to PAD, similarly to the LOS and total cost of hospitalization. Prospective studies should be performed to describe this relationship., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and fifth in the United States, and it represents the major cause of disability in older adults., Objective: We aimed to determine the risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in individuals with obesity with a history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) compared with patients with a history of bariatric surgery., Setting: Academic hospital, United States., Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2010 to 2015, we retrospectively identified patients with obesity and past medical history of TIA and divided them into 2 groups: a treatment group of patients who underwent bariatric surgery, and a control group of patients with obesity. We compared incidence of new AIS in both groups using a univariate analysis and multivariate regression model. Covariates included were lifestyle (smoking status, alcohol habits, cocaine use), family history of stroke, co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation) and long-term medical treatment (antiplatelet/antithrombotic treatment)., Results: A total of 91,640 patients met inclusion criteria, of which treatment patients were 12.3% (n = 11,284) and control patients 87.6% (n = 80,356). The average age of the treatment group was 62.9 ± 17.08 years, and the average of the control was 59.6 ± 12.74 years. The rate of AIS in the treatment group was significantly lower compared with the control group (2.8% versus 4.2%, P < .0001). After adjusting for covariables, the risk difference of AIS was still significant between groups (odds ratio = 1.33, P < .0001), showing that patients in the treatment group were less likely to have AIS compared with the control group., Conclusions: After analyzing nationwide information, we conclude bariatric surgery helps decrease risk of AIS in patients with a history of TIA. However, this comparison is limited by the nature of the database; further studies are needed to better understand these results., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bariatric and metabolic surgery is an effective treatment for patients with severe obesity and obesity-related diseases. In patients with type 2 diabetes, it provides marked improvement in glycemic control and even remission of diabetes. In patients with type 1 diabetes, bariatric surgery may offer improvement in insulin sensitivity and other cardiometabolic risk factors, as well as amelioration of the mechanical complications of obesity. Because of these positive outcomes, there are increasing numbers of patients with diabetes who undergo bariatric surgical procedures each year. Prior to surgery, efforts should be made to optimize glycemic control. However, there is no need to delay or withhold bariatric surgery until a specific glycosylated hemoglobin target is reached. Instead, treatment should focus on avoidance of early postoperative hyperglycemia. In general, oral glucose-lowering medications and noninsulin injectables are not favored to control hyperglycemia in the inpatient setting. Hyperglycemia in the hospital is managed with insulin, aiming for perioperative blood glucose concentrations between 80 and 180 mg/dL. Following surgery, substantial changes of the antidiabetic medication regimens are common. Patients should have a clear understanding of the modifications made to their treatment and should be followed closely thereafter. In this review article, we describe practical recommendations for the perioperative management of diabetes in patients with type 2 or type 1 diabetes undergoing bariatric surgery. Specific recommendations are delineated based on the different treatments that are currently available for glycemic control, including oral glucose-lowering medications, noninsulin injectables, and a variety of insulin regimens., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity can worsen outcomes in patients with chronic respiratory diseases., Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the impact of bariatric surgery (BaS) on risk of hospitalization due to acute exacerbation (AE) of chronic obstructive lung diseases (OLDs)., Setting: Academic, University-affiliated Hospital; United States., Methods: Nationwide Inpatient Sample data collected from 2010 to 2015 were examined. Patients were classified as treatment and control groups. Treatment subjects were defined as patients with a previous history of BaS, and control subjects, as patients with a body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 and without a history of BaS. The primary outcome was hospitalization due to AE of any OLD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and bronchiectasis), and the secondary outcome was the total length of stay (LOS). Univariate analysis and multivariate regression model were performed to assess the difference in outcomes between groups., Results: We included a total of 2,300,845 subjects: 2,004,804 controls and 296,041 treatments. Univariate analysis showed that the hospitalization rate was significantly lower for the treatment group than that for the control group (3.7% versus 9.8%, P < .0001), confirmed after adjusting for covariates (control versus treatment: odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, P < .0001). Subgroup analysis showed that the treatment group had a lower risk of LOS ≥3 days than controls (69.8% versus 77.4%, P < .0001), confirmed by multivariate analysis (control versus treatment: OR = 1.40, P < .0001)., Conclusions: BaS-induced weight loss may decrease the risk of hospitalization due to AE in patients with OLD, also decreasing the LOS. We acknowledge that this comparison is limited by the nature of the database; hence, further prospective studies are needed to better understand these results., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bariatric surgery has demonstrated sustained improvements in quality. Malpractice closed claims have been offered as a means of assessing quality. Few studies have investigated malpractice closed claims and opportunities for improvement in bariatric surgery., Objectives: To examine the prevalence and causes of malpractice claims with examination of prospects for quality improvement., Setting: University hospital, United States; private practice., Methods: Four national malpractice insurers participated in the closed-claims registry. Data regarding patients, staff, procedures, and hospital status were gathered from closed-claims files. Following data collection, a clinical summary of each closed claim was collected and later assessed by an expert panel on the basis of the following: contributing diagnosis and treatment events; whether complications were potentially preventable by the surgeon; the role of language, fatigue, distraction, workload, or teaching hospital/trainee supervision; communication concerns; and final care determination., Results: A total of 175 closed claims were collected from index bariatric surgeries within the period from 2006-2014. Of these, 75.9% of surgeons were board certified and 43.3% of the hospitals were accredited for bariatric surgery. Most clinical complications after bariatric surgery that led to malpractice lawsuits were mortality (35.1%) and leaks (17.5%). While they were not the common cause for malpractice suits, bleeding (5.3%), retained foreign body (5.3%), and vascular injury (4.4%) occurred at higher rates than national averages., Conclusion: Prevalence of malpractice claims regarding bariatric surgery is low. Failure to diagnose, delay in treatment, postoperative care, and communication domain responses indicate future opportunities for improvement., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: In the last 10 years, severe obesity and the associated metabolic syndrome have reached pandemic proportions and consequently have significantly increased the prevalence of related co-morbidities such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). One in 7 people in the United States have CKD, and 90% of those are not aware of it., Objectives: Following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in patients with severe obesity and baseline CKD stage ≥2, to determine improvement of glomerular function and analyze the relationship between kidney function and weight loss., Setting: US Hospital, Academic Institution., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent SG at our institution from 2010 to 2019. Kidney function assessment using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration Study (CKD-EPI) equation and classification was carried out preoperatively and postoperatively at 12-months follow-up. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was used to balance the distribution of covariates between patients with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and patients with normal kidney function., Results: We calculated the eGFR of 1330 bariatric patients who underwent SG. Of these patients, 18.79% (n = 250) met the criteria for CKD-EPI eGFR calculation preoperatively and at 12-months follow-up after SG. From the 250 patients included in the analysis, 42% (n = 105) were classified as CKD stage ≥2. When comparing the baseline preoperative eGFR at 12-months follow-up after SG, we observed an improvement of 8.26 ± 11.89 mL/min/1.73 m 2 in CKD stage ≥2 (eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) as compared with 1.98 ± 10.25 mL/min/1.73 m 2 in patients with eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (P < .001)., Conclusion: There is short-term improvement of the eGFR in patients with severe obesity following SG. This improvement is significant in CKD stages ≥2 and seems unrelated to weight loss., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: In the past five 5 years our team has studied the effects of bariatric surgery on chronic kidney disease (CKD) at our institution., Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of bariatric surgery (BaS) on the prevalence and likelihood of CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) nationwide., Setting: Academic hospital, United States., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the U.S. National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for the years 2010-2015 and compared. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed to assess the impact of BaS on the point prevalence and the probability of CKD and ESRD. Similarly, a multivariable logistic regression was conducted to measure the impact of the most important risk factors for CKD exclusively in a severely obese population., Results: Data on 296,041 BaS cases and 2,004,804 severely obese controls was extracted from the NIS database and relative to controls, all baseline CKD risk factors were less common among bariatric surgery cases. Nonetheless, even after adjusting for all CKD risk factors, controls exhibited marked increases in the odds of CKD-stage III (odds ratio [OR] 3.10 [3.05-3.14], P < .0001) and modes increase for ESRD (OR 1.13 [1.09-1.18], P < .0001). Overall, even after adjusting for risk factors we observed that the rate of CKD is significantly higher in the control group, 12% when compared with 5.3% in the bariatric surgery group (P < .0001)., Conclusion: In this retrospective, case control study of a large, representative national sample of patients with severe obesity, BaS was found to be associated with significantly reduced point-prevalence and likelihood for CKD when adjusted for baseline CKD risk factors as compared with patients with obesity who did not undergo BaS. Overall, BaS resulted in a reduced rate and a moderate decrease in the likelihood of ESRD., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is considered a major cardiovascular risk factor. The excess of pericardial fat (PF) in patients with obesity has been associated with a variety of electrocardiographic alterations. In previous studies, we demonstrated that rapid weight loss and bariatric interventions result in decreased PF., Objectives: The aim of this study is to report the changes in PF after bariatric surgery and its effect on ventricular conduction., Setting: US hospital, academic institution., Methods: A linear measurement of PF thickness on computed tomography scans was obtained for 81 patients, as well as a retrospective review of electrocardiographic changes before and after bariatric surgery. We compared the changes in PF thickness and electrocardiographic components before and after procedures. Common demographics and co-morbidities were collected along with lipid profiles preoperative and postoperative., Results: A total of 81 patients had electrocardiograms done before and 1 year after bariatric surgery. Females comprised 67.9% (n = 55), and the average age for our population was 55.07 ± 14.17 years. Pericardial fat thickness before surgery was 5.6 ± 1.84 and 4.5 ± 1.62 mm after surgery (P = .0001). Ventricular conduction (QT and QT corrected [QTc] intervals) showed a significant improvement from 438.7 + 29 before to 426.8 + 25.3 after bariatric surgery (P = .006). We found a statistically significant association between the decrease in PF and the decrease in QTc intervals (P = .002)., Conclusion: Obesity is a risk factor for arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Bariatric surgery and its effect on PF produce an improvement in ventricular conduction, which may reduce the ventricular electrical instability in patients with obesity., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Considerable evidence documents the effectiveness and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BaS) in reducing the prevalence and severity of obesity-related co-morbidities. Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is a condition with considerable morbidity and mortality, yet recalcitrant to medical therapy., Objective: Our objectives were to assess whether BaS is associated with a decrease in hospital admissions for DHF and determine its impact upon DHF hospital admissions among patients with hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD)., Setting: Academic institution., Methods: Data on 296 041 BaS cases and 2 004 804 controls with severe obesity were extracted from the US National Inpatient Sample database for the years 2010 to 2015 and compared. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed to assess the impact of pre-2010 BaS on the rate of hospital admissions for DHF, adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities, and other risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD)., Results: Relative to controls, all baseline CVD risk factors were less common among BaS cases. Nonetheless, even after adjusting for all CVD risk factors, controls exhibited marked increases in the odds of DHF overall (odds ratio = 2.80; 95% confidence interval = 2.52-3.10). Controls with HTN and CAD demonstrated an almost 3-fold increase in odds of DHF admissions. Similarly, controls with no HTN demonstrated a 5-fold increase in odds of admissions for DHF when compared to the surgical group., Conclusions: In this retrospective, case control study of a large, representative national sample of patients with severely obesity, BaS was found to be associated with significantly reduced hospitalizations for DHF when adjusted for baseline CVD risk factors. It also reduced DHF incidence in high-risk patients with HTN and CAD., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The incidence of obesity has been steadily increasing, especially in developed countries. Also, obesity is considered one of the modifiable risk factors of kidney cancer., Objectives: This study aims to determine the impact of bariatric surgery-induced weight loss on the prevention of kidney cancer., Setting: Academic Hospital, United States., Methods: The National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for the period 2010 to 2015 for first-time kidney cancer-related hospitalization, used as a proxy for cancer incidence, in patients with a history of bariatric surgery (cases) and patients with obesity but no history of bariatric surgery (controls). Patients with a previous diagnosis of cancer were excluded from the analysis. In order to identify comparable patients, all controls had to have a body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 , as per the existing qualification criteria for bariatric surgery. The International Classification of Diseases-9 codes (ICD-9) was used to identify admissions for kidney cancer. A univariate analysis was conducted to compare demographics and co-morbidities between groups. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to assess differences between surgical and control groups and adjust for independent variables such as smoking history and family history of malignancy. All percentages and means (with confidence intervals [CIs]) were weighted., Results: A total of 2,300,845 were included in the analysis, of which 2,004,804 controls-subjects, with a mean age of 54.4 ± .05 years, and 296,041 treatment-subjects, with a mean age of 51.9 ± .05 years. Demographics and co-morbidities, such as tobacco use, diabetes, and hypertension, were also measured. Patients with a history of bariatric surgery were significantly less likely to experience renal cancer than patients without a history of bariatric surgery, with 5935 cases in the control group and 684 in the case group (P < .0001). After a multivariate logistic regression was performed, the OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02-1.22, P < .0224)., Conclusion: Our finding suggests that bariatric surgery-induced weight loss could significantly prevent first-time kidney cancer-related hospitalizations in patients with obesity. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity independently increases the risk of hospitalization due to viral respiratory infections, including influenza virus and, more recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. As an independent risk factor, obesity impairs the immune response to viral infections and decreases the effectiveness of immunizations., Objectives: Using influenza as a proxy, we aimed to determine the impact of bariatric surgery (BaS) on the risk of hospitalization due to viral respiratory infections., Setting: Academic hospital, United States., Methods: National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample data collected from 2010 to 2015 were examined. Patients were classified as treatment and control groups. Treatment subjects were defined as patients with a history of BaS and control subjects as patients with a body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 and without a history of BaS. Any hospitalization with influenza as a primary diagnosis was identified. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression models were performed to assess the differences between groups., Results: A total of 2,300,845 subjects were reviewed, of which 2,004,804 were control subjects and 296,041 were treated patients. Univariate analysis showed that the hospitalization rate in the treatment group was significantly lower than in the control group (.007% versus .019%, P < .0001), which was confirmed after adjusting for covariables (control versus treatment: odds ratio = 2.21, P = .0010)., Conclusions: BaS may decrease the risk of hospitalization due to influenza, but further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results. We also suggest that these results should be translated into the development of similar studies to determine the impact of BaS on the incidence and severity of the coronavirus disease 2019., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The population undergoing bariatric surgery (BaS) has many cardiovascular risk factors that can lead to significant perioperative cardiovascular morbidity., Objectives: We aimed to examine trends in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after BaS., Setting: Academic Hospital, United States METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) data registry for patients aged ≥18 years undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) from 2015 to 2019. Data on demographics, co-morbidities, and type of procedure were collected. MACCE was defined as a composite variable including perioperative acute myocardial infarction (AMI), cardiac arrest requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute stroke, and all-cause mortality. We utilized the Cochrane-Armitage and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests to assess for significant trend changes throughout the years., Results: A total of 752,722 patients were included in our analysis (LSG = 73.2%, LRYGB = 26.8%). Postoperative MACCE occurred in 1058 patients (.14%), and was more frequent in patients undergoing LRYGB (.20%). The frequency of MACCE declined from .17% to .14% (P = .053), driven by a decline in the frequency of AMI (.04% to .02%, P = .002), cardiac arrest (.05% to .04%, P = .897), and all-cause death (.11% to .08%, P = .040), but with an increase in perioperative stroke (.01% to .02%, P = .057)., Conclusion: The overall risk of MACCE after BaS is .14% and has been declining in the last 5 years. This trend is likely multifactorial and further analysis is necessary to provide a detailed explanation., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is an uncommon but life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Hypertension (HTN) and hyperlipidemia (HLD) are common modifiable risk factors., Objectives: Since bariatric surgery is associated with remission of obesity-related co-morbidities, we hypothesize that surgical weight loss might be protective against this feared aortic pathology., Setting: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2010 to 2015., Methods: The treatment group included bariatric patients and the control group patients with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35kg/m 2 ) without previous bariatric surgery. Analyzed covariates included demographics, co-morbidities, aortic diseases, and AD. A multivariate logistic regression analysis (MLRA) was performed to assess the odds of admission for AD in both groups., Results: A total of 2,300,845 patients were identified (2,004,804 controls and 296,041 cases). The mean (SEM) age was 54.4 (.05) versus 51.9 (.05) years, for the control and treatment groups, respectively (P < .0001). Bariatric patients posed a significantly lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), HTN, HLD, aortic aneurysm, and bicuspid aortic valve (P < .0001) than control subjects. In the control group, 1411 individuals (.070%) had AD, whereas only 94 patients (.032%) in the bariatric surgery group had such diagnosis (P < .0001). The MLRA showed that non-bariatric obese patients had a significantly higher likelihood of suffering from AD (OR = 1.8 [95%CI 1.44-2.29] P < .0001). Considering different age groups, bariatric surgery was found to be less associated with admission for AD for individuals below and above 40 years of age (OR = 2.95 [95%CI 1.09-7.99] P = .0345) and (OR = 1.75 [95%CI 1.38-2.22] P < .0001), respectively., Conclusions: Bariatric surgery could be a protective factor against aortic dissection and should be considered in patients with obesity and risk factors for this cardiovascular complication., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, and heart failure (HF). Rapid weight loss following bariatric surgery can significantly improve outcomes for patients with these diseases., Objectives: To assess whether bariatric surgery improves ventricular ejection fraction in patients with obesity who have heart failure., Setting: Private practice, United States., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of echocardiographic changes in systolic functions in patients with obesity that underwent bariatric surgery at our institution. Patients were divided into 2 groups, those (1) without known preoperative HF and (2) with preoperative HF. We compared the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before and after bariatric surgery in both groups. Common demographics and co-morbidities were also analyzed., Results: A total of 68 patients were included in the analysis: 49 patients in group 1 and 19 in group 2. In group 1, 59.2% (n = 29) of patients were female, versus 57.9% (n = 11) in group 2. The excess body mass index lost at 12 months was 52.06 ± 23.18% for group 1 versus 67.12 ± 19.27% for group 2 (P = .0001). Patients with heart failure showed a significant improvement in LVEF, from 38.79 ± 13.26% before to 48.47 ± 14.57% after bariatric surgery (P = .039). Systolic function in patients from group 1 showed no significant changes (59.90 ± 6.37 mmHg) before and (59.88 ± 7.85 mmHg) after surgery (P = .98)., Conclusion: Rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery is associated with a considerable increase in LVEF and a significant improvement of systolic function., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bariatric surgery in the elderly population has been reported as feasible and safe. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) seems to have fewer complications than Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) even in the 65 years of age population. We analyzed the difference in weight loss between SG and RYGB in patients age 65 years., Objectives: To analyze and compare outcomes between SG and RYGB in patients 65 years of age and older., Setting: Academic hospital, United States., Methods: After internal review board approval, we retrospectively reviewed 2486 patients who underwent either SG or RYGB between 2005 and 2018 at our institution. Basic demographics, preoperative body mass index (BMI), and co-morbidities were described. We identified all patients age ≥65 years and subsequently divided them into 2 groups based on type of bariatric procedure performed. Analysis and comparison of outcomes between these groups were completed. Postoperative BMI was reviewed at 6, 12, and 24 months and percent excess BMI loss (%EBMIL, as defined by the ASMBS clinical committee) was calculated accordingly. The t test and χ 2 analysis were performed for nominal and categorical variables, respectively., Results: From 2486 patients reviewed, 22.7% (n = 565) were aged ≥65 years. From these, 43.1% (n = 244) underwent SG and 56.8% (n = 321) underwent RYGB. White and female patients were predominant in both groups. Mean age was similar for both populations (SG: 71.1 ± 4.0, RYGB: 71.7 ± 4.5; P = .12). Pre-procedure mean BMI for both groups was close in value, but the difference was statistically significant (40.5 ± 5.5 for SG versus 43.7 ± 7.2 for RYGB; P < .0001). Postoperative follow-up rates were similar in both groups at 12 and 24 months (SG: 51.2% and 31.6%; RYGB: 48.3% and 34.3%; P = .49 and P = .5). The %EBMIL at 6, 12, and 24 months was higher for the RYGB group than the SG group (59.3 ± 27.9, 72.1 ± 29.5, 77.4 ± 26.1 versus 50.2 ± 21.9, 55.2 ± 25.6, 43.9 ± 32.2; P < .01, P < .01, and P < .01, respectively). Complication rates were significantly higher in RYGB versus SG (27.7% versus 9.4%; P < .01). We observed significantly higher anastomotic ulcer and stricture rates for RYGB versus SG (7.2% and 5.9 versus 0% and 0%; P < .01 and P < .01, respectively). RYGB had a higher rate for gastrointestinal obstruction requiring intervention (2.2% versus .4%; P = .07). A similar de novo gastroesophageal reflux disease rate was noted in both procedures (3.7% versus 3.7%; P = .98). No leaks were reported in either group., Conclusions: Both SG and RYGB are effective weight loss procedures for patients aged ≥65 years. RYGB seems to have higher %EBMIL at 1 and 2 years; however, when compared with SG, complication rates appear to be almost 3 times higher., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been associated with elevated risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), although interaction between age and DM is unclear. We examined the relationship among DM, CRC and age., Methods: 22,580 subjects aged ≥18 years were identified from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database collected between 1999-2016. To account for the complex, stratified, multistage probability sampling design in NHANES, SASv9.4 Procedure Survey Methodology was applied. Univariate analysis compared individual baseline characteristics between subjects with and without DM. Multivariate logistic regression model assessed association between DM and CRC, in which the model included factors with p<0.05 in univariate analysis as covariates., Results: Univariate analysis showed significant differences in age (p<0.0001), race (p<0.0001), smoking (p=0.0023) and body mass index (p<0.0001) between No-DM and DM. Multivariate analysis revealed significant interaction between age and DM (p=0.0004). Subjects with DM aged 18-65 were more likely to experience CRC (OR=4.47, 95%CI=(1.33-15.07); p=0.0157) compared to those without DM. Subjects with DM aged >65 were not at increased risk for CRC (OR=0.83, 95%CI=(0.43-1.59); p=0.5665) compared to those without DM., Conclusions: Age, DM, and interaction between age and DM are risk factors for CRC. Individuals with DM aged 18-65 years have a higher CRC risk., (Copyright © 2021 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is a well-known risk factor for heart disease, resulting in a broad spectrum of cardiovascular changes. Left ventricular mass (LVM) and contractility are recognized markers of cardiac function., Objectives: To determine the changes of LVM and contractility after bariatric surgery (BaS)., Setting: University hospital, United States METHODS: To determine the cardiac changes in ventricular mass, ventricular contractility, and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF), we retrospectively reviewed the 2-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of patients with obesity who underwent BaS at our institution. We compared these results before and after BaS., Results: A total of 40 patients met the inclusion criteria. The majority were females (57.5%; n = 23), with an average age of 63.5 ± 12.1. The excess body mass index (BMI) lost at 12 months was 48.9 ± 28.9%. The percent total weight loss after BaS was 16.46 ± 9.9%. The left ventricular mass was 234.9 ± 88.1 grams before and 181.5 ± 52.7 grams after BaS (P = .002). The LVM index was 101.3 ± 38.3 g/m 2 before versus 86.7 ± 26.6 g/m 2 after BaS (P = .005). The LVSF was 31% ± 8.8% before and 36.3% ± 8.2% after BaS (P = .007). We found a good correlation between the decrease in LVM index and the BMI after BaS (P = .03)., Conclusion: Rapid weight loss results in a decrease of the LVM index, as well as improvement in the left ventricular muscle contractility. Our results suggest that there is left ventricular remodeling and an improvement of heart dynamics following bariatric surgery. Further studies are needed to better assess these findings., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Body fat distribution is highly associated with metabolic disturbances. Skeletal muscle plays an important role in glucose metabolism, as it serves as an important organ for glucose storage in the form of glycogen. In fact, low muscle mass has been associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (T2D), systemic inflammation, and decreased survival., Objectives: To compare the relationship between visceral abdominal fat (VAF) and fat free mass (FFM) with the improved glucose metabolism after bariatric surgery., Setting: University hospital, United States., Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2011 and 2017 at a university hospital in the United States. In severely obese patients with T2D, we measured the VAF via abdominal computed tomography scan and we calculated the FFM preoperatively and at a 12-month follow-up. Data collected included baseline demographic characteristics and perioperative parameters, such as treatment for hypertension (HTN) and T2D, body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), glucose, and lipid profile., Results: A total of 25 patients met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 52.5 ± 11.6 years. The initial BMI was 41.41 ± 5.7 kg/m 2 and the postoperative BMI was 31.7 ± 6.9 kg/m 2 (P < .0001). The preoperative VAF volume was 184.6 ± 90.2 cm 3 and the postoperative VAF volume was 93.8 ± 46.8 cm 3 at the 12-month follow-up (P < .0001). The preoperative FFM was 55.2 ± 11.4 kg and the postoperative FFM was 49.1 ± 12 kg (P < .072). The preoperative HbA1C was 5.8% ± .9%, which decreased postoperatively to 5.3% ± .4% at the 12-month follow-up (P < .013)., Conclusion: Bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment modality for severe obesity and T2D. Our results suggest that at 12 months, there is a reduction in VAF and HbA1C without a significant loss of FFM. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand these findings., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Gastroparesis (GPS) is a rare disease with multiple etiologies that results in delayed gastric emptying. Diagnosis of GPS can be challenging due to its rather complex clinical presentation. Pharmacologic refractory cases require surgical interventions, all of which have yet to be standardized and characterized., Objectives: We present a review of the literature and provide an update of current therapies for patients with GPS., Setting: Department of General Surgery, Academic Hospital, United States., Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase of English-written articles published in the last 38 years, with an advance title search of "gastroparesis management." Other keywords included: "surgical management" and "refractory gastroparesis." Further references were obtained through cross-reference., Results: A total of 12,250 articles were selected after eliminating duplicates. Following thorough screening of selection criteria, 68 full-text articles were included for review., Conclusion: GPS is a challenging disease to manage. Nutritional support must remain the primary approach, followed by either medical or surgical treatment modalities if necessary. In patients with refractory gastroparesis, adjunctive therapies have been proposed as promising long-term options., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most prevalent bariatric-metabolic surgical approach in the United States. Its popularity among surgeons and patients is mainly due to a better safety profile and less overall morbidity, with broad benefits from a systemic and metabolic perspective., Objective: Comprehensively describe the short-term multiorgan metabolic effects of rapid weight loss after SG., Setting: Academic hospital, United States., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients that underwent SG at our institution between 2012 and 2016. We analyzed the required variables to calculate multiple risk scores, such as cardiovascular, hypertension, and diabetes risk scores. Furthermore, the renal and hepatic functions and the metabolic and hematologic profiles were assessed at 12 months of follow-up., Results: A total of 1002 patients were included in the analysis. The percentage of excess body mass index loss was, on average, 65% at 12 months of follow-up. We observed a positive cardio-renal-hepatic improvement, demonstrated by a substantial reduction of the 10-year cardiovascular risk. We noticed an improvement of renal function, which was more significant in chronic kidney disease (stage ≥2), and a significant improvement on liver function tests (measured by decreased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase) at 12 months of follow-up. Our data also show a positive impact on decreasing the risk of developing hypertension and type 2 diabetes. There was a positive impact on the lipid profile, with the exception of low-density lipoprotein., Conclusion: There are significant short-term benefits on multiorgan metabolic parameters after rapid weight loss in severely obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pericardial fat has a local atherosclerotic effect and is associated with both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary artery disease (CAD)., Objectives: The aim of this study is to report changes in pericardial fat thickness (PFT) after bariatric surgery, and to investigate its significance on the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD)., Setting: Academic institution., Methods: We retrospectively measured the linear pericardial thickness from patients' computed tomography (CT) scans within 5 years preoperatively and compared to any available CT scan within 5 years postoperatively. The PFT was measured at the right ventricular wall, perpendicular to the myocardium, at the level of the sternum. The risk of developing CAD was estimated by calculating the Framingham risk score (FRS). We divided the patients into 2 groups: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG, Group 1), and laparoscopic gastric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB, Group 2). Common demographic characteristics and co-morbidities were collected along with the preoperative and postoperative lipid profiles., Results: A total of 113 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 64 (56.6%) patients in group 1 and 49 (43.3%) patients in group 2. Group 1 consisted of 83.6% (n = 53) female patients versus 75.5% (n = 37) in group 2. The percent excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) at 12 months was 74.4 ± 35.8% for group 1 versus 67 ± 30.1% for group 2 (P = .292). Pericardial thickness before surgery was 5.6 ± 1.9 mm and 4.6 ± 1.6 mm after surgery (P = .0001). The risk of CAD in females was 9.1% before and 6.6% after surgery. We found statistically significant linear association between pericardial thickness after surgery and a lower risk of CAD (P = .001)., Conclusion: Bariatric surgery decreases the PFT lowering risk of developing CAD. Further studies may be needed to better assess these findings., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for poor clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)., Objectives: To investigate the relationship between prior metabolic surgery and the severity of COVID-19 in patients with severe obesity., Setting: Cleveland Clinic Health System in the United States., Methods: Among 4365 patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) between March 8, 2020 and July 22, 2020 in the Cleveland Clinic Health System, 33 patients were identified who had a prior history of metabolic surgery. The surgical patients were propensity matched 1:10 to nonsurgical patients to assemble a cohort of control patients (n = 330) with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m 2 at the time of SARS-CoV-2 testing. The primary endpoint was the rate of hospital admission. The exploratory endpoints included admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for mechanical ventilation and dialysis during index hospitalization, and mortality. After propensity score matching, outcomes were compared in univariate and multivariate regression models., Results: The average BMI of the surgical group was 49.1 ± 8.8 kg/m 2 before metabolic surgery and was down to 37.2 ± 7.1 at the time of SARS-CoV-2 testing, compared with the control group's BMI of 46.7 ± 6.4 kg/m 2 . In the univariate analysis, 6 (18.2%) patients in the metabolic surgery group and 139 (42.1%) patients in the control group were admitted to the hospital (P = .013). In the multivariate analysis, a prior history of metabolic surgery was associated with a lower hospital admission rate compared with control patients with obesity (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.88; P = .028). While none of the 4 exploratory outcomes occurred in the metabolic surgery group, 43 (13.0%) patients in the control group required ICU admission (P = .021), 22 (6.7%) required mechanical ventilation, 5 (1.5%) required dialysis, and 8 (2.4%) patients died., Conclusion: Prior metabolic surgery with subsequent weight loss and improvement of metabolic abnormalities was associated with lower rates of hospital and ICU admission in patients with obesity who became infected with SARS-CoV-2. Confirmation of these findings will require larger studies., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bariatric surgery (BaS) is the safest, most effective, and most durable therapy for obesity but is performed in less than 1% of the affected United States (US) population. It is challenging to determine from traditional surveys if this phenomenon is the result of poor access to care or lack of interest among Internet users., Objectives: The aim of this study was to use Google Trends (GT) as a tool to analyze the US general population interest in BaS., Setting: Academic Hospital, United States., Methods: GT was used to access data searched for the term bariatric surgery. The gathered information included data from 2008 through 2018 in English within the US. Search frequency, time intervals, locations, frequent topics of interest, and related searches were analyzed. GT reports search frequency on means, and a value of 100 represented peak popularity., Results: The number of Google searches related to the term bariatric surgery has gradually increased over time, from a mean of 67% in 2008 to a 94% interest in 2017. Regarding interest by subregion in 2017, the state of Michigan lead the frequency of searches, followed by Indiana, Delaware, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Top searched terms by frequency were the following: patient eligibility for BaS, what is BaS, what are the complications of BaS, financial costs of BaS, and what insurance companies cover BaS. It appears that traditional Web sites only address a few., Conclusions: GT complements the understanding of interest in BaS. Using these trends can improve an Internet user's education, and tailor specific official Web sites for the public's general interest., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, cancers linked to overweight or obesity accounted for roughly 40% of all U.S. malignancies in 2014., Objectives: The primary aim of this epidemiologic study was to assess whether bariatric surgery might have any preventative role against obesity-linked cancers among individuals with obesity., Setting: Hospitals across the United States participating in the National Inpatient Sample database, created, updated, and monitored by the U.S. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project., Methods: National Inpatient Sample data collected from 2010 to 2014 were examined to identify any difference in the number of first cancer-related hospitalizations, as a proxy for cancer incidence, between patients with a history of prior bariatric surgery (cases) and those without (controls). Patients with any prior cancer diagnosis were excluded. To match the body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 generally required for bariatric surgery, all controls had to have a body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 . International Classification of Diseases-9 codes were employed to identify admissions for 13 obesity-linked cancers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify any case-control differences, after matching for all baseline demographic, co-morbidity, and cancer risk-factor variables. All percentages and means (with confidence intervals) were weighted, per Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project guidelines., Results: Among 1,590,579 controls and 247,015 bariatric surgery cases, there were 29,822 (1.93%; 95% confidence interval 1.91-1.96) and 3540 (1.43%; 1.38-1.47) first hospitalizations for cancer (adjusted odds ratio 1.17; 1.13-1.23; P < .0001)., Conclusions: Preliminary findings from a large U.S. database suggest that bariatric surgery may reduce the incidence of cancer in patients considered at high risk because of severe obesity., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery with prior cardiac revascularization (CR) is rising. However, scarce data exist regarding the safety of bariatric procedures in these patients., Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare postoperative cardiovascular and noncardiovascular outcomes among patients with different CR procedures., Setting: Academic hospital, United States., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2884 patients undergoing bariatric surgery from 2009-2018. Patients with prior CR were included and stratified into groups: coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention with stent (PCI), and CABG + PCI. We described patient demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, smoking status, history of myocardial infarction, type of bariatric surgery, number of vessels grafted/stents, time from CR to bariatric surgery, length of stay, and cardiovascular and noncardiovascular 30-day outcomes. A control group composed of patients without prior CR undergoing bariatric surgery was used to compare the rate of complications to the total patients with prior CR. For continuous and categorical variables, t test and χ 2 tests were performed, respectively., Results: We identified 76 patients with prior CR undergoing bariatric surgery. The mean patient age was 61.4 ± 7.9 years, the mean body mass index was 41.7 ± 6.5 kg/m 2 , and male sex was predominant (71.1%). Among these, 50% (n = 38) had PCI, 39.4% (n = 30) had CABG, and 10.5% (n = 8) had CABG + PCI. Early cardiovascular complications rate included ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (n = 2), pulmonary embolism (n = 1), supraventricular arrhythmia (n = 2), ventricular arrhythmia (n = 1), and pacemaker/defibrillator-insertion (n = 1). The overall rate of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular complications was 9.2% (n = 7) and 10.5% (n = 8) during the 30 days. Mortality rate was 0%. Comparison of rate of complications between groups did not show any statistical difference; no significant difference was found when comparing patients with prior CR to the 76 patients in the control group (P > .05)., Conclusions: Although revascularized individuals have severe co-morbidities and are high-risk patients, bariatric surgery remains safe in this population when outcomes are compared with bariatric patients without prior CR., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for one third of all deaths in people older than 35 years in the United States., Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of bariatric surgery, especially laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, on the risk of developing CHD., Setting: Academic, University affiliated hospital., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 2010-2016. All patients between 30 and 74 years of age without a previous history of CHD were included in our study. The risk score for predicting the incidence of CHD was measured preoperatively and at 12 months of follow-up., Results: Of the 1330 patients studied, 225 patients (16.9%) had all the required variables to calculate the CHD risk score. The mean age of our population was 51.4 ± 11.3 years, mostly female (67%, n = 152) and white (58.7%, n = 132). At the preoperative setting, our patient population had a systolic blood pressure in the prehypertensive ranges, with 40% (n = 90) having type 2 diabetes and 60% (n = 134) having arterial hypertension. The preoperative CHD preoperative risk was 8.9 ± 7.7% or 8-fold higher than the ideal risk. After 12 months of follow-up, the CHD absolute risk reduction was 2.7%, and the relative risk reduction was 42.0% for female patients and 5.4% and 38.8%, respectively, for male patients. All the metabolic factors used to calculate the risk of developing CHD had a significant improvement after 12 months., Conclusions: Surgical weight loss reduces the risk of developing CHD. Further studies should assess these findings in a long-term follow-up., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Despite its popularity, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is not devoid of postoperative complications and weight regain. Some of these cases warrant conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or proximal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy. Complications after conversion are scarcely reported in the literature., Objectives: Report and review the outcomes of reoperation on severely obese patients with weight regain or complications after SG., Setting: Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence; Community Hospital, United States., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients converted from SG to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass/proximal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy at our center, from 2004 to 2018. Patients were stratified by reason for conversion. Group A included those converted for complications (leaks, strictures, or gastroesophageal reflux disease) and group B for reported weight regain. Demographic characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and complications were described., Results: From 77 conversions identified, 63.6% (n = 49) underwent primary SG at an outside hospital. We observed predominant female (68.8%; n = 53) and Caucasian (76.6%; n = 59) populations. Conversions for complications were performed in 67.5% (n = 52) and for weight regain in 32.4% (n = 25). The most common conversion indication in group A was chronic leak (29.9%; n = 23), followed by gastroesophageal reflux disease (20.8%; n = 16), and stricture (16.9%; n = 13). Overall, major complications occurred in 16.9% (n = 13) and minor complications in 19.4% (n = 15). In group A, most common major complications were anastomotic leak and organ space surgical site infection (3.9%; n = 2 each); the most common minor complication was nonperforated marginal ulcer (7.7%; n = 4). In group B, the most common major complication was perforated marginal ulcer (8%; n = 2); the most common minor complication was stricture (16%; n = 4). Group B mean preconversion body mass index was 38.4 ± 4.3 and percentage excess body mass index loss was 48 ± 33, 63 ± 45, 59 ± 63, and 73 ± 25 (12, 24, 36, ≥48 mo)., Conclusions: Our experience shows that major complications can occur in up to 17% of patients after conversion. Conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in nonresponders appears to be a safe and effective option for body mass index reduction., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Duodenal switch (BPD/DS) is gaining popularity as a secondary procedure for inadequate weight loss after an initial operation., Objectives: We aimed to generate expert consensus points on the appropriate use of BPD/DS in the revisional bariatric surgical setting., Setting: Data were gathered at an international conference with attendees from a variety of different institutions and settings., Methods: Sixteen lines of questioning regarding revisional BPD/DS were presented to an expert panel of 29 bariatric surgeons. Current available literature was reviewed extensively for each topic and proposed to the panel before polling. Responses were collected and topics defined as achieving consensus (≥70% agreement) or no consensus (<70% agreement)., Results: Consensus was present in 10 of 16 lines of questioning, with several key points most prominent., Conclusions: As a second-stage procedure, BPD/DS is most appropriate after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for the treatment of super morbid obesity (96.7% agree) or as a subsequent operation for a reliable patient with insufficient weight loss after SG (88.5%). In a patient with weight regain and reflux and/or enlarged fundus after SG, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is preferable and BPD/DS should be avoided (90%). BPD/DS should not be used prophylactically in patients with a history of jejunoileal bypass who are otherwise doing well (80.8%). Applicability of BPD/DS is limited by technical difficulty; 86.2% of experts would routinely recommend or consider the procedure if it were more technically feasible after failed bypass. No consensus was found on approaches to revision of BPD/DS for protein malnutrition., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Morbid obesity is strongly associated with hypertension., Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the risk of developing hypertension before and after bariatric surgery., Setting: U.S. university hospital., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 2010 to 2015 at our institution. Nonhypertensive white individuals without diabetes at baseline were included in our study. The Framingham Hypertension Risk Score was used to predict the near-term incidence of the disease. This calculator predicts 1-, 2-, and 4-year incidence of hypertension., Results: A total of 475 patients met the criteria for the hypertension risk score calculation. Females composed 72% (n = 342) of our population with a mean age of 42.6 ± 11.6 years. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was the most prevalent procedure at 81.89% (n = 389). At 12- month follow-up, the 1-year absolute risk reduction (ARR) and the relative risk reduction (RRR) were 6.2% and 69.2% (P < .01), respectively. The 2-year ARR was 11.9%, with an RRR of 67.9% (P < .01). The 4-year risk was also calculated at 12-month follow-up, resulting in an ARR of 20.1%, and RRR of 63.7% (P < .01). Furthermore, stratifying by type of procedure, the results were comparable between sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Regarding blood pressure values at 12-month follow-up, the systolic blood pressure was reduced 11.4 mm Hg (P < .01) and the diastolic blood pressure was reduced 4.4 mm Hg (P = .07). The percentage of estimated body mass index loss at 12-month follow-up was 71.7%., Conclusions: Sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass significantly diminish the risk of developing hypertension in morbidly obese patients. Prospective studies are needed to better comprehend these findings., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has rapidly become the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the United States as well as other countries, with approximately 120,000 procedures being performed annually in the United States. Reoperative interventions after SG have become more prevalent in the past few years since the initial development of SG as a primary operation. Given the expected rapid growth of these reinterventions, an expert consensus conference was held with some of the most experienced bariatric surgeons in the world to better understand, discuss, and provide consensus on the reasons, indications, contraindications, and surgical options for nonresponders and complicated SG operations., Objectives: Provide consensus-based best practice guidelines regarding the performance of reinterventions after failed or complicated SG in patients with obesity, using expert opinion by organizing a consensus meeting of experts and evaluating the current literature., Setting: The meeting was held in Boca Raton, Florida on February 18, 2017., Methods: The panel of 32 expert bariatric surgeons representing 12 countries and major regions of the world and all 6 populated continents identified 54 questions for consensus. Questions encompassed patient selection, indications, contraindications, surgical technique, prevention and management of weight regain, and short- and long-term complications after SG. Responses were calculated and defined as achieving consensus (≥70% agreement) or no consensus (<70% agreement). The current available literature was extensively reviewed for each topic in question and proposed to the panel., Results: Full consensus was obtained for the essential aspects of indications and contraindications, surgical technique, management, and prevention of complications. Consensus was achieved for 35 of 54 key questions. Highlights include consensus recommendations regarding technique in reoperation, management of GERD and Barrett's esophagus after SG, and surgical options for poor initial weight loss. No consensus was reached on topics, such as management of chronic proximal fistula after SG., Conclusions: This first international expert meeting provides 35 statements and recommendations for a clinical consensus guideline regarding standardization of indications, contraindications, surgical options, and surgical techniques when reoperating on patients who underwent a failed or complicated SG. To our knowledge, the present consensus report represents the first document that defines best practice guidelines for the performance of reinterventions after failed or complicated SG., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is currently the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the United States; however, it can be associated with development of de novo gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or worsening of existing GERD. Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and findings of esophagitis are commonly used as screening tool, but the alternative use of preoperative objective measurement of acid reflux has not been studied., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate if preoperative objective measurement of acid reflux by using wireless pH monitoring (WPHM) could have an impact on surgical planning and outcomes., Setting: Academic Center of Excellence., Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of 43 adult obese patients with reflux symptoms who underwent outpatient EGD and WPHM between September 2011 and September 2017., Results: Change in planned surgical management from SG to Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass with the use of WPHM occurred in 21.0% (n = 9) of patients. Only 2.3% (n = 1) developed de novo GERD after SG. Nonerosive reflux disease was the most common esophageal condition on preoperative EGD. EGD, as a single diagnostic tool, appeared insufficient to diagnose acid reflux and help with the decision planning in this patient population., Conclusions: Based on objective data obtained by measurement of GERD, using preoperative WPHM compared with preoperative EGD alone aids in a better patient selection for either SG or Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass. Our cohort with preoperative WPHM required no surgical conversions or revisions., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is a major independent risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D)., Objectives: Our goal in this study was to analyze the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the risk reduction of developing T2D in middle-aged, severely obese nondiabetes patients., Setting: University Hospital, United States., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected database from 2010 to 2016. All severely obese patients between 45 and 64 years of age without diabetes at baseline that underwent sleeve gastrectomy were included in our study. The T2D risk score for predicting the incidence of diabetes was measured preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively and was based on the Framingham Offspring Study that calculates an 8-year risk of developing T2D., Results: Of the 1330 patients included in this study, 6.5% (n = 86) met the criteria for the T2D risk score calculation. The population was predominantly composed of females (68.9%; n = 59) with a mean age of 52.8 ± 5.3 years. Preoperative body mass index was 43.1 ± 6.9 kg/m 2 with a percentage of estimated body mass index loss and percentages of total weight loss were 72.2 ± 26.3% and 26.39 ± 18.15%, respectively, with fasting plasma glucose of 103.3 ± 14.9 mg/dL. The preoperative risk for T2D was 13.9 ± 11.6%, with an absolute risk reduction 12 months after surgery of 10.3%, corresponding to a 74.2% relative risk reduction. When comparing between sexes, risk reduction in females was slightly better than in males; however, this was not statistically significant. At 12-month follow-up, all measured variables were significantly improved, except for diastolic blood pressure., Conclusions: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy significantly decreases the risk of developing T2D in middle-aged severely obese patients. Prospective studies are needed to further understand these findings., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bariatric surgery has proven to be the most durable treatment for obesity, and it also provides improvement of obesity's associated co-morbidities. Although several mechanisms for its metabolic effects have been studied, the implications of the surgically constructed anatomy on its functioning physiology have not been elucidated. This leaves some uncertainty regarding the recommended limb lengths in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The alimentary limb length and function has been studied extensively, but few have studied the influences of the biliopancreatic limb length., Objective: To present a systematic review of the literature comparing variations in length of BP limb and results in order to determine BP limb length influence., Setting: Academic Hospital, United States., Methods: We present a systematic review of all the articles comparing variations of the biliopancreatic limb length and their results., Results: Thirteen articles were identified and analyzed. Most of the articles are prospective studies. Weight loss was superior in longer limbs., Conclusion: Based on our review of the subject, we can conclude that the release of enterohormones in response to a food load in the distal small bowel seems to play an important role in the remission of co-morbidities. Hence, the length of the biliopancreatic limb might affect this process., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is a paucity of studies comparing risk reduction of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and Framingham-body mass index (BMI) Coronary Heart risk score after a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and few studies have assessed the efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in reducing cardiovascular risk., Objective: Our goal in this study was to compare the impact of SG and RYGB on cardiovascular risk reduction., Setting: U.S. university hospital., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all SG or RYGB cases at our institution between 2010 and 2015. Patients who met the criteria for calculating the ASCVD 10-year and Framingham-BMI score were included in the study. Propensity score matching was used to match SG and RYGB on demographic characteristics and co-morbidities., Results: Of the 1330 bariatric patients reviewed in the study period, 219 (19.3%) patients met the criteria for risk score calculation. SG was the most prevalent surgery in 72.6% (N = 159) of cases compared with RYGB in 27.4% (N = 60) of cases. At 12-month follow-up, ASCVD 10-year score had an absolute risk reduction of 3.9 ± 6.5% in SG patients and 2.9 ± 5.8% in RYGB patients (P = .3). Framingham-BMI score absolute risk reduction was 11.0 ± 12.0% in SG and 9.0 ± 11.0% in RYGB patients (P = .4), and the decrease in estimated heart age was 12.1 ± 15.6 years in SG versus 9.2 ± 9.6 years in RYGB (P = .1). The percentage of estimated BMI loss at 1 year was 68.1 ± 23.3% in SG versus 74.2 ± 24.8% in RYGB (P = .1)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that SG and RYGB are equally effective in improving cardiovascular risk and decreasing the estimated vascular/heart age at 12-month follow-up., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bariatric surgery, despite being the most successful long-lasting treatment for morbid obesity, remains underused as only approximately 1% of all patients who qualify for surgery actually undergo surgery. To determine if patients in need are receiving appropriate therapy, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery created a Numbers Taskforce to specify annual rate of use for obesity treatment interventions., Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine metabolic and bariatric procedure trends since 2011 and to provide the best estimate of the number of procedures performed in the United States in 2016., Setting: United States., Methods: We reviewed data from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database, and Nationwide Inpatient Sample. In addition, data from industry and outpatient centers were used to estimate outpatient center activity. Data from 2016 were compared with the previous 5 years of data., Results: Compared with 2015, the total number of metabolic and bariatric procedures performed in 2016 increased from approximately 196,000 to 216,000. The sleeve gastrectomy trend is increasing, and it continues to be the most common procedure. The gastric bypass and gastric band trends continued to decrease as seen in previous years. The percentage of revision procedures and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch procedures increased slightly. Finally, intragastric balloons placement emerged as a significant contributor to the cumulative total number of procedures performed., Conclusions: There is increasing use of metabolic and bariatric procedures performed in the United States from 2011 to 2016, with a nearly 10% increase noted from 2015 to 2016., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Gastroparesis (GP) is a chronic disorder of gastric motility with delayed gastric emptying. Gastric electrical stimulator (GES) implantation and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are surgical options for medically refractory GP., Objective: Evaluate operational outcomes and symptom improvement of patients with diabetic (DM) and idiopathic (IP) GP., Setting: University Hospital, United States., Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent surgical treatment of GP from February 2003 to December 2014. Subgroup analysis was performed based on etiology of GP (DM versus IP) and procedure received (GES versus RYGB). Postoperative outcomes and postoperative symptom improvements were compared between groups., Results: Of 93 patients, 47 (50.5%) had IP and 46 (49.5%) had DM. The majority underwent GES implantation (83.8%, n = 78), and 15 patients (16%) underwent RYGB. There were significant differences in hospital stay (2 versus 3 days) and reoperation rate (30% versus 7%) between IP and DM. Operation time, complication rate, and 30-day readmission rate were similar in both groups. DM patients significantly improved GP-related complaints compared with preoperatively. IP patients also improved nausea and vomiting and had no change in abdominal pain between pre- and postoperative period. GES showed significant improvement of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. RYGB showed improvement of nausea, but not vomiting or abdominal pain., Conclusions: Surgery is a feasible intervention for GP for both DM and IP patients; however, based on the data presented in this manuscript and the current literature, the use of gastric bypass as an effective treatment modality for patients with intractable GP remains highly controversial. Care must be taken for IP patients in the postoperative period due to high incidence of reoperation. Although both procedures offer some degree of symptomatic improvement, GES seems to provide improvement of more GP symptoms. However, there is no significant difference in the need for postoperative medications regardless of the procedure used., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prevalence of obesity in America continues to grow significantly. Awareness and understanding of the disease of obesity and treatment options for it appear to be lacking among the general US population., Objective: This study aimed to identify misperceptions in diagnosis and treatment of obesity, struggles Americans face in obtaining treatment, consequences of obesity, and perceived barriers to weight loss., Setting: University hospital, United States., Methods: A survey of 1509 adults was completed in September 2016 using AmeriSpeak, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the US household population. The survey included oversamples of blacks and Hispanics. The study analyzed quantitative data from structured interviews and presents descriptive statistics related to public attitudes toward obesity., Results: Of Americans, 81% consider obesity to be the most serious health problem facing the nation, tying cancer as the top issue and landing ahead of diabetes (72%), heart disease (72%), mental illness (65%), and HIV infection and AIDS (46%). Nearly all Americans (94%) agree that obesity itself, even when no other diseases are present, increases the risk for early death. Most Americans overestimate the effectiveness of some obesity treatments, such as diet and exercise alone. Many overweight and obese Americans do not consult a doctor at all about their issues of excess weight., Conclusions: There is increased awareness about the serious consequences of obesity, but there is still a lack of understanding about the reasons and best treatment modalities for the disease., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Metabolic surgery is an effective option for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Although body mass index (BMI) has several limitations in differentiating the metabolic risks of the same weight of muscle and fat, it is used as the basis of indication for metabolic surgery., Objectives: Since visceral fat is highly associated with metabolic disease, we evaluated the effectiveness of visceral fat proportion (VFP) for predicting metabolic risk preoperatively., Setting: University hospital., Methods: Fifty-two type 2 diabetes patients with BMI≤35 kg/cm 2 who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer were included. Pre- and postoperative VFPs were measured using abdominal computed tomography. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the effect of VFP on type 2 diabetes. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to estimate the effectiveness of VFP as a predictor of type 2 diabetes improvement., Results: Thirty-three of the 52 patients (63%) showed improved type 2 diabetes postoperatively. Low preoperative VFP (odds ratio [OR] = .913; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .835-.999; P = .048) and low glycated hemoglobin level (OR = .357; 95% CI = .172-.742; P = .006) were associated with type 2 diabetes improvement 2 years after gastrectomy. The area under the curve was 70.2%, indicating moderate accuracy., Conclusions: Preoperative VFP might be a reasonable predictive factor for type 2 diabetes improvement after gastrectomy for patients with a BMI≤35 kg/cm 2 . High-quality studies of visceral fat for metabolic function are needed in the future., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bariatric fellowship training after general surgery has historically been time based and competence was determined at completion based on a minimum number of cases during the fellowship. Graduate medical education is moving toward competency-based medical education where learners are evaluated during the course of their training and competence assessment occurs throughout., Objectives: The Executive Council of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) at the direction of the American Board of Surgery wanted to transition the bariatric surgery fellowship curriculum from its traditional format to a competency-based curriculum using competency-based medical education principles., Methods: The ASMBS Education and Training Committee established a task force of 9 members to create a new curriculum and all of the necessary evaluation tools to support the curriculum, and initiate a pilot program., Results: A competency-based curriculum consisting of 6 modules with cognitive and technical milestones, and the innovative evaluation tools needed to evaluate the learners, was created. A pilot program consisting of 10 programs and 19 fellows has been undertaken for the 2016-2017 academic year., Conclusion: The Education Committee of the ASMBS is leading the charge in curriculum development for competency-based medical education for bariatric fellowship., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the most common weight loss surgery procedure. The procedure's most dreaded surgical complication is staple-line disruption (SLD). So far, no definitive treatment modality has been established for this complication., Objectives: The aim of this study is to review the treatment options used at our institution for patients with SLD after LSG and to evaluate the outcome of different interventions., Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all patients who underwent SLD between January 2005 and April 2014 was performed. SLD was defined as a leak identified on computed tomography or upper gastrointestinal series. We compared the cure rate between a major surgical procedure and patients treated with a variety of other minor treatment modalities. Special focus is given to the technique of proximal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy (PGEJ). The procedure consists of the en bloc resection of the proximal stomach immediately proximal to the gastroesophageal junction and including the fistulous tract. The jejunum is transected 50 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz and reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract is performed with a Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy., Results: Thirty-one patients had SLD after their LSG. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the treatment modality: Group A (PGEJ) and Group B (minor surgical procedure). Group A (n = 19) had 1 releak. Group B (n = 11) had 5 releaks. The cure rate for patients who underwent PGEJ was 94.7%. The cure rate for patients who were treated with a different approach was 54.5% (P = .01)., Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that the cure rate of PGEJ is high. Minor surgical procedures are effective in approximately half of the patients, so when the leak becomes chronic, PGEJ can provide a long-term solution., (Copyright © 2016 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Until recently, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was the most frequently performed procedure in bariatric surgery. In the last decade, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has emerged as a more popular, simpler, and less morbid form of bariatric surgery., Objectives: This study compares the efficacy of SG and RYGB for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D)., Setting: Systemic review and meta-analysis., Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for entries up to December 2013. Search terms included "Sleeve gastrectomy," "Gastric bypass," and "Type 2 diabetes mellitus." The chosen articles described both "Sleeve gastrectomy" and "Gastric bypass" and included over 1 year of follow-up data. Data analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.2 and SPSS version 20., Results: The data set is comprised of 3 retrospective clinical studies, 6 prospective clinical studies, and 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which involved 429 patients in the SG group and 428 patients in the RYGB group. In nonrandomized clinical studies, SG displayed similar efficacy in remission of T2D compared with the standard RYGB. In the RCTs, SG had a lower effect than that of RYGB. T2D remission was not correlated with the percent of excess weight loss for either procedure., Conclusions: Based on the current evidence, SG has a similar effect on T2D remission as RYGB., (Copyright © 2015 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)