Abstract
Background and objectives: Obesity presents as a multifactorial, pandemic disease that arises as a consequence of unequal energy intake and energy consumption. Obesity adversely affects the quality of life, leading not only to disability, but also to various other disorders. Bariatric surgery is the most effective method for achieving significant and sustained weight loss in individuals with extreme obesity. The aim of this study was to examine how well surgically induced weight loss is maintained after five years of follow-up and its effects on cardiovascular risk factors and outcome. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 66 patients with morbid obesity, with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m(2) or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) and obesity-related health conditions, aged 20 to 61 years, mostly women (77.3%) who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Results: Average follow-up was 6.42 years (95% CI 6.30-6.54 years) after surgery, with survival rate of 97% in operated individuals. There was a statistically significant reduction of weight and body mass index 6 months and 5 years after surgery in comparison to the initial values (p < 0.001). Of 62 patients who presented weight loss at the end of the follow-up period, 38 were able to maintain the amount of weight loss that was attained 6 months after surgery, while 24 patients regained weight compared to their postoperative weight at 6 months. Two patients reported no weight loss after treatment. Significant weight reduction was associated with better control of diabetes and increased self-reported physical activity at 6 months and 5 years after surgery, as well as with a reduction of the use of anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive medications. Conclusions: Our research demonstrates a positive long-term impact of bariatric surgery on patients' health conditions, significant and sustained weight loss, and decrease in BMI, which were associated with a reduction of co-morbidities and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.