Long-Term Satisfaction with the Choice to Complete Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: The Hindsight 20/20 Study
In brief
Nearly three-quarters of bariatric surgery respondents would choose it again years later
Among 2,385 survey respondents, 74% said they would choose metabolic and bariatric surgery again, an average of 12 years after surgery; 19% would not and 7% were unsure. Health benefits were the leading reason to choose surgery again, while weight regain was the most common reason for hesitation. The survey's exploratory associations can inform counseling, but do not show what caused satisfaction.
- Journal
- Obesity surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 8 October 2026
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Alexandra Burtea, Jaime Almandoz, Marielle Nagele, Sunil Mathew, Luyu Xie, Kathleen Esselink, et al.
- PMID
- 42848282
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11695-026-08984-9
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (paper of the day, 10 October 2026): Long‑term MBS satisfaction, large cross‑sectional survey
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Despite proven benefits, metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) remains underutilized. This study assessed long-term satisfaction among individuals after MBS and identified predictors of sustained satisfaction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey with retrospective EHR linkage, adults with prior MBS identified through electronic health records at a large academic medical center completed a satisfaction survey. LASSO regression was used for variable selection, followed by an exploratory multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among 2,385 respondents (mean age 55.1 +/- 12.2 years; 84.7% female; mean 12.0 +/- 7.5 years post-MBS), 74.2% would choose MBS again, 7.3% were unsure, and 18.5% would not. Overall health benefit was the most commonly reported reason for willingness to choose MBS again, whereas weight recurrence was the most commonly reported reason for uncertainty or unwillingness. In the exploratory adjusted model, greater pre-MBS BMI and maximum percent total weight loss were associated with higher odds of choosing MBS again, whereas longer time since MBS and higher current BMI were associated with lower odds. Percent recurrence of lost weight was not independently associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents remained satisfied long-term with their decision to undergo MBS. Time since surgery and current and historical weight measures were associated with willingness to choose MBS again, although these exploratory, mutually adjusted associations should not be interpreted as independent causal effects. These findings may inform counseling about the long-term benefits and limitations of MBS.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
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.