Question:
What "Group" Based on Starting Weight, has met goal consitently?

I am wondering if anyone has done any statistical research on whether some groups of people (in terms of starting weight) tend to reach and maintain their goal weights more consistently than others. If a person reached his or her goal weight, did that person generally start the journey as a "light weight", say, between 100 and 150 lbs overweight? Did those who started off heavier generally have less success reaching goal? Just curious if there is any correlation between starting pounds overweight, and ultimate success in reaching and maintaining goal. Thanks!    — johanniter (posted on March 26, 2003)

March 26, 2003
Karen, I've not seen any serious studies as of late And I really think its because there are sooo many variables that it makes a truly serious study difficult to impossible. I agree that starting weight has a huge factor, as it seems agreed amongst many bariatric surgeons that heavier people should have more bypassed than a lightweight. But such drastic variables as to which surgery was performed (rny,ds,vbg), size of the pouch given, was the pouch "banded" to prevent stretching, was the pouch transected, and of those who were not how many could possibly have a staple line disruption (even a minor one) that is undiagnosed among the group followed and thus affect goal weights and overall outcome? Then there is the difference in the common channel length. Exactly how much was bypassed? Most patients don't even know the answer to that question. And how do you fit in the variable of an extrememly proximal bypass versus a medial bypass or an extremely distal one? Then if you were able to somehow account for all those variables there would be questions on social aspects of this. Do african americans, latinos, asians, whites lose differently? Do men and women? And how about the financial aspects. Does it affect food choices, protein and other supplements taken by the post op and does that affect the short or long term results? Then there is the exercise variable. Some lose quickly with no exercise, some exercise from day one. It is just so very complex and I really think thats why we've not seen any studies so far that deal with these issues. I too would be totally interested in the results of any serious studies you may come across.
   — Shelly S.

March 26, 2003
I'm going to guess that since almost everything to do with WLS success is patient driven.. its the most motivated group that does all the right things and is consistent, no? Just my thought.
   — Lisa C.

March 26, 2003
The last stats I saw (5 yrs post op) were several years ago, but went like this: very distal RNY, maintained 89-92% of excess wt lost (you had 100 to lose, 89-92 of them still gone at 5 yrs), medial at 70%, proximal at 50%. VBG & AGB about 50%, also. My eyeballs tell me something different than that, but that was the stats I red.
   — vitalady