Institutional Improvement in Weight Loss after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a recent addition to the bariatric surgery armamentarium. It has been demonstrated to be an efficacious stand-alone bariatric procedure in regard to weight loss. This study evaluates the progress of our initial experience with LSG. Retrospective review of prospective data from 2008 to 2010. Compared data between our first operative year of experience with LSG (2008) and our third year of experience (2010). Data compared for up to three years postoperatively. End points were percentage of excess body weight loss (% EWL) and percentage of excess body mass index loss (% EBL). Institutional improvement in % EWL and % EBL rates as our collective experience increased with LSG. Mean increase in % EWL of 14 per cent and mean increase of % EBL of 22 per cent. In our first year performing LSG the institutional weight loss was < 50 per cent EWL, which is often cited as a benchmark level for "success" after bariatric surgery. By our third year of experience with LSG we achieved an institutional weight loss >50 per cent EWL. Institutional improvement in weight loss results with LSG as the collective experience increased. Several factors could have contributed to this observation to include a surgical mentorship program and the institution of formal nutritional education. This study demonstrates that institutional experience is a significant factor in weight loss results with LSG.