BS SO06 - Bariatric Surgery is a Safe, Effective and Feasible Option in Super-Super Obese Patients

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery is proven to be feasible and safe in obese and super obese patients (BMI < 60). SSO patients pose greater challenges from technical and medical standpoints. This cohort study aims to assess the safety and feasibility of bariatric surgery in SSO individuals. Method A retrospective analysis of a prospective database was conducted, encompassing 4471 bariatric procedures performed over seven years (January 2016 to December 2023). Fifty patients were classified as SSO (BMI > 65). Key outcome variables examined included length of stay (LOS), intra-operative complications, and 30-day morbidity and mortality rates. We evaluated the Resolution of Obesity Related Morbidity (RORM). Results Sleeve gastrectomy most common procedure (24, 48%), followed by One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (17, 34%). Six patients underwent Roux-en-Y Bypass (12%), and six others received SADIs (12%). Among these, [24 (48%)] had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), [14 (28%)] had diabetes mellitus (DM) and [9 (18%)] had hypertension. Average LOS was 2.5 days. No mortality was reported within 30 days with no intra-operative complications. One patient required readmission to the hospital within 30 days after discharge due to vomiting. The report at 6 months was positive. OSA, DM and Hypertension were resolved in [11 (46%), 13 (92%) and 7 (77%)] Conclusion Bariatric surgery should not be dismissed for SSO patients solely due to perceived increased risk based on BMI. Evidence suggests that it can be safely performed on SSO individuals, yielding significant benefits particularly for obesity-related morbidity.