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One-year weight-loss trajectories and associated baseline factors after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a retrospective cohort study

In brief

Sleeve gastrectomy patients lost an average 30% of body weight in one year

In this retrospective study of 489 adults, average total weight loss reached 30.2% at 12 months, and nearly three in four patients lost at least 20%. Weight loss was fastest early and then slowed; age, ethnicity, starting body mass index, and visceral fat area were associated with outcomes, but the study cannot establish what caused differences between patients.

Journal
Updates in surgery (Q1)
Published
25 September 2026
Study design
Retrospective cohort
Evidence level
Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
Authors
Yaxuan Wang, Rui Zhao, Anming Xu, Cao Li, Chunyan Lu, Jing Liao, et al.
PMID
42791482
DOI
10.1007/s13304-026-02863-9

Why clinicians should know about it

  • Picked for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (paper of the day, 27 September 2026): One-year weight-loss trajectories after sleeve gastrectomy identify predictors

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study evaluated one-year weight-loss trajectories after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and explored baseline factors associated with postoperative outcomes. Adult patients who underwent surgery between January 2021 and June 2024 were identified from an institutional bariatric surgery database. Body weight was assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to characterize longitudinal changes in body weight, body mass index, percentage total weight loss, and percentage excess weight loss, and multivariable linear regression was performed to identify baseline factors associated with percentage total weight loss at 12 months. A total of 489 patients were included, with a mean age of 32.5 ± 9.5 years and a mean body mass index of 36.7 ± 5.6 kg/m2. All weight-related indicators showed significant nonlinear trajectories characterized by rapid early change followed by gradual deceleration. At 12 months, mean percentage total weight loss was 30.2%, and 73.6% of patients achieved at least 20% total weight loss. Age, ethnicity, baseline body mass index, and visceral fat area were independently associated with postoperative weight-loss outcomes. These findings support trajectory-based monitoring after sleeve gastrectomy and may help identify patients at risk of suboptimal early weight loss.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.

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For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.