Long-term Weight and Metabolic Effects of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Calibrated with a 50-Fr Bougie

Background Most surgeons calibrate the sleeve with 32-French (Fr) to 40-Fr bougies hypothesizing that smaller bougies are associated with greater weight loss and long-term lower weight regain. The purpose of this study was to assess the weight loss results and resolution of comorbidities 5 years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods A prospective study of all the morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy calibrated with a 50-Fr bougie between October 2007 and February 2010 was performed. Excess weight loss (EWL) and remission of comorbidities were investigated at 1, 2, and 5 years after surgery. Results Fifty patients were included for the analysis. One year after surgery, mean excess weight loss (EWL) of 81.8 % was achieved, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) resolution rate was 76.9 %, hypertension resolution was observed in 73.3 %, sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) resolution in 100 % hypertriglyceridemia was normalized in all the cases, and hypercholesterolemia in 21.4 %. Two years after surgery, mean EWL was 84.4 % and comorbidity resolution rate similar to that obtained after the first postoperative year. Five years after surgery, mean EWL was 78.7 %, T2DM resolution 69.2 %, hypertension 66.7 %, SAHS 100 %, hypertriglyceridemia 100 %, and hypercholesterolemia 14.3 %. Conclusions LSG calibrated with a 50-Fr bougie obtained excellent results in weight loss and resolution comorbidities and their maintenance in the long-term follow-up in our series. In our opinion, the results depend more on a preoperative correct selection of candidates and a close postoperative follow-up, rather than using a narrow calibration bougie.