Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in extreme overweight at a private hospital

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery leads to significant weight loss and reduced morbidity in patients with severe obesity. The technique was introduced at the private Aleris hospital the autumn 2005. We here present the method and results from our initial experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria were BMI > 40 kg/m2 or BMI 35-39,9 kg/m2 , with obesity-related co-morbidity for more than 5 years and insufficient effect of conservative treatment. The first 121 (103 women) consecutive patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery at Aleris Hospital were included. Characteristics were; mean age 40 years (18-68), mean preoperative body weight 134 kg (91-211) and BMI 44 m/kg 2 (35-64). Serious complications or major morbidity were defined as anastomosis- or intestinal leakage and bleeding requiring surgical treatment. RESULTS: No deaths or major morbidity was observed the first 30 days after surgery. One patient underwent successful surgery of a perforated ulcer localized distally to the gastro-jejunal anastomoses 3 months p.o. Mean operating time was 62 min (40-124) for patients who underwent isolated laparoscopic bypass. The mean hospitalisation time was 2.9 days (2-6). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that bariatric surgery can be established successfully with a low rate of perioperative complications. We believe that thorough planning and experienced bariatric surgeons contribute to our favourable results. .