Lipid Profile Changes in the Severely Obese after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG), 1, 3, and 5 Years after Surgery

Since there is an increasing acceptance of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and limited information regarding its effect on cardiac risk factors, we assessed lipid profiles.

Eighty two patients (67 % female, age 46.4 ± 13.9) had presurgery lipid profiles and follow-up (43 at 1 year, 28 at 3 years, and 26 at 5 years). Groups were not different in gender distribution. The presurgery mean body mass index (BMI) was 55.7 kg/m²; 65.9 % of the subjects were super obese. After surgery, percentage of excess BMI loss was 58.1 % year (yr) 1, 61.3 % yr 3, and 39.0 % yr 5. Lipids were within the normal ranges for all parameters at all times; however, at baseline 77 % had at least one abnormality. At 1 year, triglycerides decreased significantly from baseline (adjusted p value (adj-p) = 0.004) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased (adj-p = 0.025). Year 3 HDL was significantly different from baseline, adj-p = 0.0001. Yr 3 cholesterol increased from baseline, (adj-p = 0.027). Negative linear correlations with weight loss were present for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) at yr 3(r = 0.46, p = 0.02) and triglyceride change at year 5 (r = 0.48, p = 0.02). The percentage of patients with dyslipidemia or medicated did not change significantly during these 5 years.

For this population electing LSG, mean lipid profiles were within normal ranges for all parameters before surgery. However, 77 % showed at least one abnormality presurgery. Weight change correlated with some changes of triglycerides, HDL, and LDL over time, but the impact was limited.