Introduction
Bariatric surgery is a very effective intervention to treat central obesity. Central obesity is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular risk, especially in patients of South Asian heritage. This is the first prospective study assessing efficacy of bariatric surgery, in reversal of central obesity in Sri Lankans to the best of our knowledge.
Objective
We aimed to assess the efficacy of bariatric surgery in reversing central obesity in obese Sri Lankan patients.
Methods
We followed up 50 obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka for 1 year. Central obesity was assessed by waist circumference (WC) measurement before and after bariatric surgery.
Results
Overall 90.0% were females. Mean age was 38.7 (±9.9) years. Mean pre-operative body weight, body mass index were 109.7 (±19.0) kg and 45.5 (±7.0) kg/m2 respectively. Body weight loss (±SD) at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months were 8.7 (±3.9) kg, 16.5 (±5.0) kg, 22.9 (±5.4) kg, 27.4 (±7.3) kg and 29.6 (±8.9) kg respectively. Mean WC reduction at the above follow up periods were 5.9 (± 8.1) cm, 13.3 (±5.8) cm, 18.9 (±7.1) cm, 21.6 (±5.9) cm and 23.5 (±10.2) cm respectively.
Conclusions
Bariatric surgery achieved impressive results for reversal of central obesity in Sri Lankan adults. The results were evident as early as 1 month after bariatric surgery. This is expected to translate into significant cardiovascular risk reduction in these patients, starting as early as 1 month after surgery.