Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) are common after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). However, little is known about frequencies of GIS and their co-occurrence with risky eating behaviors. OBJECTIVES: Compare RYGB and SG on GIS and risky eating behaviors, and test associations between GIS and behaviors. SETTING: Two university hospitals in Northeastern United States. METHODS: RYGB (n = 18) and SG (n = 53) patients completed smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment of GIS and risky eating behaviors at 4 semi-random times daily for 10 days preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Study objectives were evaluated using generalized linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: All available data from each assessment were included in the analysis: participant attrition was 18%, 30%, and 38% at 3, 6, and 12 months. All GIS were reduced at 12 months postoperative. Bloating decreased consistently whereas cramping, dehydration, and dumping first increased at 3 to 6 months then decreased to 12 months. Diarrhea, nausea, reflux, and vomiting decreased to 12 months for RYGB, but first increased at 3 to 6 months then decreased to 12 months for SG. Consumption of carbonated and sugar-sweetened beverages, fatty meats, and sweets decreased to 6 months then rebounded at 12 months. Eating past the first sign of fullness, drinking liquids with meals, not starting meals with protein, and fried foods consumption decreased to 6 months and then rebounded for RYGB only at 12 months. Alcohol consumption did not change. Sweets consumption and eating past the first sign of fullness were most consistently associated with GIS for both RYGB and SG patients. CONCLUSION: GIS and risky eating behaviors improved postoperatively, although patterns of change were variable and occasionally differed between RYGB and SG. Pending replication, patients may benefit from intervention to limit risky behaviors that are tailored to their surgery type.