A 5-Year Follow-Up Study of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Among Morbidly Obese Adolescents: Does It Improve Body Image and Prevent and Treat Diabetes?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is widely used, and it is important to examine its physiologic and psychological efficacy among adolescents. We assessed LSG’s efficacy for weight loss, its short- and long-term effects on resolving and improving obesity-related comorbidities, and its psychological outcomes among morbidly obese adolescents.

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 91 morbidly obese adolescents in Qatar who underwent LSG (2011–2014), with 1- and 5-year follow-ups.

The mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 132.5 ± 25.3 kg and 48 ± 7.5 kg/m², respectively. Postoperatively, mean weight and BMI decreased to 101 ± 22 kg and 36.4 ± 7.2 kg/m², respectively. At 1 year, the mean excess weight loss (%EWL), percent total weight loss (%TWL), and percent BMI loss (%BMIL) were 49.48 ± 25.8, 23.1 ± 11.9, and 23.16 ± 11.8%, respectively. At 5 years, %EWL, %TWL, and %BML were 78 ± 12, 35.8 ± 11.5, and 36 ± 12%, respectively. No patients developed postoperative leaks, and three patients had endoscopic dilatation due to stenosis. Overall, 64% of obstructive sleep apnea patients were cured, all prediabetic patients had total remission, and 50% of the diabetic patients were cured. The overall mean HBA1c level was 6 mmol/L, which significantly decreased to 5.1 mmol/L postoperatively (P = 0.0001). At 5 years, there was no relapse of diabetes, and 75% of the diabetic adolescents had complete remission. The only patient with hypertension showed complete resolution with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Postoperatively, overall body image satisfaction significantly improved (P = 0.0001).

LSG significantly ameliorated short- and long-term obesity-related comorbidities and body image dissatisfaction among Qatari adolescents.