Open AccessThe Greenville Gastric Bypass
Author(s) -
E G Flickinger,
Walter J. Pories,
Helen D. Meelheim,
Dennis R. Sinar,
Irvin Blose,
Francis T. Thomas
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198405000-00010
Subject(s) - medicine , weight loss , surgery , morbidly obese , diabetes mellitus , gastric bypass , obesity , endocrinology
Two hundred and ten morbidly obese patients underwent a standardized gastric bypass procedure between February 1980 and November 1983. We conclude, based on 100% follow-up, that the operation is safe (operative mortality--1%, significant complications--10%) and effective (reoperation rate--4%). Only one patient failed to lose more than 25% of preoperative weight. The operation produced a mean weight loss in the group from 289 pounds (202-505) before surgery to 176 pounds (118-308) at 18 months after surgery. Stated as "per cent of ideal weight," patients lost from a preoperative mean of 214% (153-350) to 130% (88-189) at 18 months. Maximum weight loss was reached by 18 months after the procedure and was maintained during 36 months of observation in over 95% of patients. When patients were divided into four groups according to preoperative weight, weight loss occurred at a roughly similar rate, but heavier patients, although they lost more weight, plateaued at a higher weight than patients originally less obese. Striking and objective benefits were seen in patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and pulmonary insufficiency.