Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
About Gastric Changes
| Bariatric Surgery information Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass |
About Gastric Changes |
| Gastrointestinal Symptomatic Outcome After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y (RY) gastric bypass is an effective treatment for morbid obesity. However, little information is available regarding the gastrointestinal symptomatic outcome after laparoscopic RY gastric bypass for morbid obesity. The purpose of this study is to identify changes occurring in gastrointestinal symptoms after laparoscopic RY gastric bypass. Method A previously validated, 19-point gastrointestinal symptom questionnaire was administered prospectively to each patient seen for surgical consultation to treat morbid obesity. Patients rated the degree to which each symptom affected their lives on a 0 to 100 mm Liekert scale with 0 indicating absence of a symptom, 33 indicating the symptom was present occasionally, 67 indicating the symptom occurred frequently, and 100 indicating the symptom was continuous. The same survey was readministered 6 months postoperatively. The mean of each symptom (preoperative vs. postoperative value) was compared using Student's t test with significance at P<0.05. Forty-three preoperative patients (age 37.3+/-8.6 years; body mass index 47.8+/-4.9) and thirty-five, 6 months' postoperative patients (81% follow-up; body mass index 31.6+/-5.3) completed the questionnaire. The result for each symptom is expressed as mean+/-standard deviation of preoperative vs. postoperative scores. Results Significantly different symptoms include the following: abdominal pain; heartburn; acid regurgitation; gnawing in epigastrium; abdominal distention, eructation; increased flatus; decreased stools; increased stools; loose stools; urgent defecation; difficulty falling asleep; insomnia; and rested on awakening. Symptoms that did not significantly change included the following: nausea/vomiting; borborygmus; hard stools; incomplete evacuation of stool; and dysphagia. Conclusion Laparoscopic RY gastric bypass significantly improves many gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by morbidly obese patients without adversely affecting any of the measured parameters. This information is useful in preoperative counseling to assure patients of overall symptomatic improvement after this operation in addition to significant weight loss and improvement of comorbid conditions. Source: Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery to Reduce Obesity |