Fifteen Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy: Weight Loss, Remission of Associated Medical Problems, Quality of Life, and Conversions to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass-Long-Term Follow-Up in a Multicenter Study.

Purpose: Since 2014, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been the most frequently performed bariatric-metabolic operation worldwide (2018: 386,096). There are only a few studies reporting a long-term follow-up (up to 11 years) available today. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of SG with a follow-up of at least 15 years regarding weight loss, remission of associated medical problems (AMP), conversions, and quality of life (QOL).

Setting: Multicenter cross-sectional study; university hospital.

Methods: This study includes all patients who had SG before 2005 at the participating bariatric centers. History of weight, AMP, conversions, and QOL were evaluated by interview at our bariatric center.

Results: Fifty-three patients met the inclusion criteria of a minimal follow-up of 15 years. Weight and body mass index at the time of the SG were 136.8kg and 48.7kg/m. Twenty-six patients (49.1%) were converted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for weight regain and gastroesophageal reflux within the follow-up period. Total weight loss after 15 years was 31.5% in the non-converted group and 32.9% in the converted group. Remission rates of AMP and QOL were stable over the follow-up period.

Conclusion: Fifteen years after SG, a stable postoperative weight was observed at the cost of a high conversion rate. Patients converted to RYGB were able to achieve further weight loss and preserve good remission rates of AMP. SG in patients without the need of a conversion to another bariatric-metabolic procedure may be considered effective. Careful preoperative patient selection is mandatory when performing SG.