BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to present our prospective experience with the bariatric surgical procedures performed at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco. METHODS: Between November 1997 and February 2001, 228 patients underwent a surgical bariatric procedure. RESULTS: Gastric bypass with a Roux-en-Y limb (92%) was constructed in 207 patients, vertical gastroplasty (Mason) in three, five laparoscopic gastric banding, five laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass, seven Scopinaro procedures and one duodenal Switch. The age ranged from 20 to 59 years with a mean of 34 years. The body mass index was 35 to 98 with a mean of 46 Kg/m². Ninety-five men (42%) and 133 women (58%) were operated upon. The most important preoperative comorbidities were: arterial hypertension (68%), gastro esophageal reflux disease (34%), chronic venous insufficiency (36%) degenerative artropathy (31%), dyslipidemia (21%) and diabetes (19%). Cholelithiasis and cholecistectomy occurred in 20% of the patients. Wound complications were frequent. Wound infection and seroma were present in 8,1% and 33% each. Important postoperative complications occurred in 7,8%. We had four postoperative deaths (1,8%).The mean hospitalization time was 4.3 days. At 12 months of follow-up the average body weight lost was 41% of the preoperative weight. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of obesity was a safe and efficient alternative to control weight excess.
Obesity, morbid; Gastroplasty; Gastric bypass
