Results of the Centers for Excellence in Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery

In the past several months from 9/18/2004 to 12/9/2004 a sample of 358 patients from the series of 2,725 (13%) gastric bypass patients completed their follow up forms for analysis. 

The results of this recent sample are similar to previous analyses and document the remarkably good results seen in the CELOS series of bariatric patients.  The average length of follow up for this sample was just under 2 years (20 months) with a range of 1 to 62 months. 

The patient population was made up of 15% men and 85% women with an average age of 39.  The average weight of patients was 288 lbs, mean excess body weight was 163 lbs and the mean BMI was 51. 

The 30 day mortality rate was 0 and the perioperative complication rate was 5.9%.  The average operative time was 37.5 minutes and median hospital stay was 1 day.  

The mean weight loss at one year was 130 lbs. the mean excess body weight lost was excellent at  80%. The mean BMI at the end of one year was 29. The average change in waist size was 12.6 inches.  Weight loss was maintained within 10-15 lbs in >95% of patients up to 5 year follow up. Weight loss was excellent and a plot of weight loss is shown in the figure below.

Figure 1: 5 year weight loss after the MGB

Health status improvement following surgery was excellent with resolution or improvement in all major associated medical illnesses that were measured (85% of patient with heartburn had resolution of their heartburn, 96% of patients with Shortness of breath had resolution of their shortness of breath.

17% percent of patients had diabetes at the time of surgery and 83% of diabetics resolved their diabetes following surgery. 37% of patient had sleep apnea and 87% of sleep apnea patients resolved their sleep apnea following surgery.

53% of patients had hypertension and 80% resolved their hypertension. 39% had hypercholesterolemia and 89% resolved their elevated cholesterol after surgery. Urinary incontinence was reported in 35% of patients and this resolved in 82%.)

Patient and physician satisfaction were measured and 95% of patients and 96% of patient physicians were reported to be satisfied with the surgery and its results.

More detailed assessment of physician performance demonstrated superb and high levels of patient satisfaction. Patients are asked to rate their surgeon's Professional knowledge & technical capabilities, Ability to explain things understandably, Responsiveness to patient concerns, and Amount of time spent with patients, his friendly and caring approach (bedside manner) and his Capacity for gentleness. Each quality was rated from 5 to 1 as Very High = 5, High = 4, Average = 3, Low = 2, Very Low = 1. The results are shown in the table below:
 

Table 2: Patient Satisfaction Scores

Long term complications were few and easily treated in the majority (iron deficiency anemia and dyspepsia/gastritis/ulcer.)  There was one patient that lost an excessive amount of weight and required a revision by CELOS staff and did well subsequently ( =(1/358)*100 \# "0.00%" 0.28%.)  There were two patient with peptic ulcers diagnosed as “bile reflux” that sought treatment by other surgeons that underwent revision by non-CELOS surgeons to RNY procedures and did well ( =(2/358)*100 \# "0.00%" 0.56%).

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Contact Information: -Telephones: *** CLOS West: 702-456-4643; Trish Lanman 702-376-3446, Sandy Brubaker 702-376-3647; Jennifer Brubaker 702-376-9339, Dr. Rutledge 702-215-9550; 989-450-8081 Kim Hazen 989-450-8081 *** CLOS Florida: Flo Ballengee 863-899-3463 Wayne Robbins 704-682-1549 Elizabeth Robbins 704-928-6693 Dr. Cesare Peraglie 407-922-3424

Email Us Anytime for Help: Email: Dr. Rutledge DrR@clos.net, *** CLOS West: Trish Lanman Trish@clos.net, Sandy Brubaker SandyB@clos.net Dr. Rutledge DrR@clos.net, Kim Hazen khazen@clos.net *** CLOS Florida: Flo Ballengee flo@clos.net, Wayne Robbins wr@clos.net Elizabeth Robbins epr@clos.net Dr. Peraglie drp@clos.net

Addresses: Address: *** CLOS West Office: Dr Robert Rutledge / CELOS, 98 E Lake Mead Parkway Suite 302, Henderson NV 89015, Office 702-456-4643, Office fax: 702-456-1173, Contacts: Trish Lanman 702-376-3446 Trish@clos.net, Sandy Brubaker 702-376-3647 SandyB@clos.net, Jennifer Brubaker 702-376-9339 Jen@clos.net, Dr. Rutledge 702-215-9550 Drr@clos.net Kim Hazen 989-450-8081 khazen@clos.net *** CLOS Florida: 40124 Highway 27, Suite 203, Davenport, FL 33837, Wayne Robbins 704-682-1549, wr@clos.net, Elizabeth Robbins 704-928-6693 epr@clos.net, Dr. Peraglie 407-922-3424 drp@clos.net

Warning: Gastric Bypass Surgery is a MAJOR surgical procedure. It can be associated with significant risks and complications, up to and including death. Weight loss surgery is a rapidly developing area of medicine. Bariatric surgery is filled with controversy. It is very important to take a careful and deliberate approach to considering surgery for the treatment of obesity.  

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