Introduction.

Bariatric surgery is highly effective in inducing rapid excess body weight loss but there are doubts about its effect on long-term. This study seeks to identify the number of patients that underwent bariatric surgery who present insufficient weight loss or significant weight gain and the possible related factors.

Methods.

Retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Demographic and clinical variables are described. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors related to patient weight outside the set goals postoperatively.

Results.

187 patients were included (117 gastric bypass, 70 gastric sleeve). The median preoperative body mass index was 41m/kg2 and 28.8m/kg2 postoperatively. 94.7% of the patients in both groups achieved adequate excess body weight loss. Weight gain (>20%) occurred in 43.5% of the patients, with the probability being higher in the gastric sleeve group (p<0.004). Independent factors for weight gain were male gender (OR 5.5), gastric sleeve surgery (OR 3.4), sleep apnea syndrome (OR 2.9), and mental illness under treatment (OR 2.8).

Conclusions.

Bariatric surgery produces sufficient loss of excess weight in almost all patients, but a good number of them regain weight after 3 years. The main factors associated with weight gain are male gender and gastric sleeve surgery.

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