Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed bariatric operation. Its efficacy for both weight loss and comorbidity resolution in the morbidly obese has been well established.

Aims

Outcomes in the obese but lower body mass index (BMI) group are not well researched. We report short term outcomes in a patient cohort with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2.

Methods

Consecutive patients with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2 who underwent primary LSG at a single institution between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed from a prospectively collected database. Weight loss outcomes and complications were documented.

Results

278 patients were included with a mean preoperative BMI of 33.2 kg/m2 and mean age of 45 years.  Mean percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) was 97% and 116% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Clavien-Dindo grade III-V complications occurred in 3.6% of patients and there were no patient deaths.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that in patients with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2, LSG provides effective short term weight loss with low rates of postoperative complications. Data with longer term weight loss outcomes is required to establish longevity of these results. Furthermore, longer term data on patient comorbidity profiles, especially glycaemic control and development of diabetes over time, would be beneficial.