Body composition, anthropometrics, energy expenditure, systemic inflammation, in premenopausal women 1 year after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is currently the most common bariatric procedure and results in a substantial weight loss and recovery from obesity-related comorbidities, both of which are maintained in the long term. However, besides the desired loss of fat mass, LRYGBP is also followed by the loss of fat-free mass (FFM). We aimed to determine the factors associated with the loss of ≥20 % of the initial FFM 1 year after LRYGBP in a prospective series of 115 Caucasian, premenopausal women.

Anthropometrics, body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), resting energy expenditure (REE) (indirect calorimetry), inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid disturbances were determined before and 1 year after LRYGBP.

The mean loss of initial FFM was 15.3 ± 13.8 %. 1 year after LRYGBP, 81 women lost <20 % (<20 % FFM group) and 35 lost ≥20 % (≥20 % FFM group) of the initial FFM. Before surgery, the FFM, weight, BMI, excess BMI, brachial circumference, waist circumference, and REE were significantly higher in the ≥20 % FFM group while inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid disturbances were comparable between the two groups. 1 year after LRYGBP, the FFM, weight, BMI, excess BMI, brachial circumference, waist circumference, and REE decreased significantly and were comparable between the two groups. Inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid disturbances improved comparably between the two groups after surgery. The only variable associated with the loss of ≥20 % of the initial FFM in the multivariable analysis was the presence of more FFM before surgery (67.0 ± 9.9 vs. 53.5 ± 6.7 kg).

One year after LRYGBP the loss of ≥20 % of the initial FFM occurred mainly in women with more FFM before surgery and resulted in the same body composition of women who lost <20 % of the initial FFM.