Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: Outcomes

Obesity is a rapidly growing health problem that contributes to numerous life-threatening or disabling problems including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Significant weight reduction in the morbidly obese patient improves or reverses associated illness and benefits the patient's general well-being. The resolution of comorbidities following surgically induced weight loss is well established. Type 2 diabetes mellitus resolves in 82% to 98.8% of patients, hypertension in 52% to 91.5%, gastroesophageal reflux in 72%-97.8%, hypercholesterolemia in 63% to 97%, sleep apnea in 74% to 97.8%, stress urinary incontinence in 44% to 97%, arthritis in 41% to 90.3%, and migraine headache in 57% (1-5). Superior outcomes are expected with increasing experience, perfection of operative technique, and refinements in postoperative care.