Gastrointestinal symptom improvement after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: long-term analysis

Background: Obese patients have a multitude of gastrointestinal symptoms that differ from their nonobese counterparts. The published data remain scant on changes in gastrointestinal symptoms among this cohort before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The aim of this study was to quantify these symptoms and understand the changes that occur after bariatric surgery. Methods: A total of 1724 gastrointestinal symptom surveys were prospectively administered to 763 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB. The patients rated each symptom on a 0-100-mm Liekert scale: 0, absence of symptoms; 33, occasional occurrence; 67, frequent occurrence; 100, continuous. The surveys were administered preoperatively and yearly thereafter. The data are presented as the mean +/- standard error of the mean. Results: Of the 763 patients, 137 were black, 610 were white, and 16 were Hispanic; 83% were women and 17% were men. Their age was 40.8 +/- 0.34 years. The body mass index was 48.4 +/- 0.27 kg/m(2) . The American Society of Anesthesiologists class was 2 for 31%, 3 for 68%, and 4 for 1%. Of the 763 patients, 63% underwent short-limb RYGB and 37% underwent long-limb RYGB. The preoperative symptom rating was as follows: abdominal pain, 24.3 +/- 0.7; heartburn, 41.0 +/- 0.8; acid regurgitation, 30.9 +/- 0.9; gnawing epigastric sensation, 26.5 +/- 0.9; nausea/vomiting, 18.8 +/- 0.7; borborygmus, 26.2 +/- 0.8; abdominal distension, 30.3 +/- 0.9; eructation, 28.0 +/- 0.8; increased flatus. 38.9 +/- 0.8; decreased passage of stool, 14.8 +/- 0.8; increased passage of stool, 16.4 +/- 0.7; loose stools, 22.1 +/- 0.8; hard stools, 20.5 +/- 0.9; urgent need for defecation, 23.2 +/- 0.8; incomplete evacuation, 22.2 +/- 0.8; difficulty falling asleep, 42.0 +/- 1.1; insomnia, 38.4 +/- 1; feeling rested, 60.1 +/- 1; and difficulty swallowing, 13.5 +/- 0.67. At 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after RYGB, 99.5% 84.2%, 68.4%, 57.9% and 47.4% of these symptoms had improved significantly (P < .05). Conclusion: Laparoscopic RYGB significantly improves the gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by morbidly obese patients without adversely affecting any of the measured parameters. This improvement in symptoms proved durable in the long term. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2009;5;553-558.) (C) 2009 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.