Background

Demographic data on bariatric patients in the US are proportional to national census data, comprising 60-70% who identify as White and 10-20% who identify as Black. However, regional distribution can be unique. Here, we present data from our public institution.

Methods

Retrospective review of data from 1/2020-10/2022 was done, on adult patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery. Primary outcomes were weight-loss and follow-up rate, and secondary outcome was improvement of comorbidities.

Results

25% (49/196) underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 75% (147/196) underwent sleeve gastrectomy. 92% (180/196) were female; 91.83% (180/196) identified as Black, 6.63% as Hispanic and 1.53% as White. Mean age was 45 and mean starting BMI was 47, with significant comorbidities (Table 1). Over 80% (157/196) had Medicare/Medicaid/Public/City insurance. Follow-up was 100% (196/196) at 6 months, 91% (181/196) at 1 year, 83% (144/173) at 18 months, and 66% (87/133) at 2 years. At 1 year, mean post-operative BMI was 35 (SD 6); 33% (39/117) had reduction of at least 1 antihypertensive, and 68% (26/38) had resolution of DM by A1c; 89% (149/166) had >30% excess weight-loss, 48% (80/166) had >50% excess weight-loss, and 19% (33/166) had >60% excess weight-loss. For some, despite loss of 100 - 150 lbs at 1 year, their BMI remain over 40.

Conclusions

Our patient population was older, sicker, had higher BMI, but had excellent retention rate, reasonable weight-loss and improvement in comorbidities.An adjunct program is underway to help the subset with inadequate weight-loss and those whose BMI remain high despite excellent weight-loss.