Over many years we’ve kept very detailed records of patient outcomes. We don’t just quote international results, we know what our own results are!
We keep very detailed records of patient outcomes on Lapbase our Bariatric database system. This allows us to chart the progress for various operations and designs of the surgery and make realistic projections of what an individual patient can achieve through our program.
Because of our involvement with the Australian Bariatric Surgery Registry We also know that our results match and exceed those from the rest of Australia .
Bariatric results are traditionally reported as percentage of excess weight lost (% EWL). This calculation is what your starting weight is, take away your ideal weight for your height and the percentage of this that you have lost is your %EWL. Ideal Body weight is calculated as the weight for your height which would give you a BMI of 25.
So if you start at 120 KG, and your ideal weight is calculated as 60 Kg ( a BMI of 25) and you are currently 80 Kg then you have lost 2/3 rds of your excess weight or 66% EWL
In Bariatric terms a successful outcome is >50% EWL maintained for 5 years.
Bariatric Surgery Results By Operation
Comparing the three operations performed at Mercy Bariatrics:
Original series based on a 36 Fr bougie sleeve.
Factors Affecting Sleeve Outcomes
After performing over 1900 Sleeve gastrectomies we have also demonstrated that outcomes are related to:
1. Sleeve Size
Size of the Bougie used to calibrate the sleeve 50 Fr, 40 Fr, 36 Fr from large to small. Over the last 15 years our practice has evolved to utilise smaller bougies.
2004-2006: 50 Fr Bougie (100 patients)
2006-2010: 40 Fr Bougie (850 Patients)
2010- : 36Fr Bougie (900+ patients)
Most Patients are now offered a 36 Fr bougie size as our standard design but if their BMI is < 35 , if they work in severe heat or are older than 65 we may select a 40 Fr size to allow better eating and drinking capacity.
We no longer use a 50 Fr bougie and 17 of the original 100 patients have required a re-sleeeve gastrectomy to a smaller bougie size and this has set their weight loss back on track.
2. Patient’s starting BMI
Generally the higher your starting BMI and weight is, the more weight you will lose in Kg but the smaller the loss as expressed in % EWL. Patients with a low BMI at start off lose less absolute weight in Kg but their calculated % EWL appears greater!
This means that based on a current sleeve size of 36 Fr in a patient with a BMI 30-35 we would expect you to lose over 140% EWL by 1 year!
If your starting BMI was 50-55 a more realistic expectation with a 36 Fr sleeve is 60-70% EWL.
Revision vs Primary Surgery
Weight loss may not be as good in patients who have had several operations, but is still a very effective option.
There are a number of reasons for this:
- Patients who require revisional surgery may have other reasons why their first operation has failed. We work hard to support them through Post op education to maximise their weight loss outcomes.
- Everyone has a certain weight loss potential which is brought out by the technique. This needs to be calculated from their original start weight not their current start weight prior to revision.
- This means that if you have already lost 40% of EWL from a LAGB, but then have to have the band revised to sleeve, you can’t expect an additional 80% EWL. Rather the 80% EWL will be calculated from your maximal start weight and you may only experience an additional 40% EWL.
Mercy Bariatrics Perth
For more information about our results or to book an appointment, please contact us.
