Preliminary outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in a Veterans Affairs medical center

Background: Preliminary results of a new bariatric surgery program in a VA Medical Center using laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods: Prospective review of the first 50 patients who underwent LSG. Percentage change in body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, serum glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profiles, and medications were recorded. Results: Mean age was 52 years. Average BMI was 46 kg/m². There were no mortalities or staple line leaks. The percentage excess BMI loss was 47% and 54% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. After 6 months, fasting glucose level decreased from 127 to 93 mg/dL, and mean glycosylated hemoglobin decreased from 6.8% to 5.7%. At 1-year follow-up evaluation, serum cholesterol decreased from 182 to 168 mg/dL, mean triglycerides from 179 to 93 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein from 110 to 94 mg/dL, and high-density lipoprotein increased from 42 to 50 mg/dL. Conclusions: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective for morbidly obese VA patients and resulted in significant discontinuation of medication for hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.