A recent study conducted by a team of researchers, led by Dr. Florina Corpodean at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has confirmed that metabolic and bariatric surgery is both safe and effective for patients with severe obesity, specifically those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 70. The study, titled “BMI ≥ 70: A Multi-Center Institutional Experience of the Safety and Efficacy of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Intervention,” was published in Obesity Surgery: The Journal of Metabolic Surgery and Allied Care. It highlights the safety and low risk of complications for patients with extreme obesity who undergo these surgical treatments.
Obesity has become a major public health challenge, with over 40% of the U.S. population affected. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, healthcare providers are increasingly encountering patients with BMIs exceeding 70 kg/m². This new study analyzed data from 84 patients who underwent metabolic or bariatric surgery and found that, despite the higher-than-average surgical risks associated with extreme obesity, the rate of serious postoperative complications within 30 days was remarkably low, at just 0.7%. This outcome suggests that bariatric surgery is an acceptable and safe treatment option for patients in this demographic.
Dr. Corpodean, a postdoctoral researcher and surgical research fellow at Pennington Biomedical, expressed the importance of this research. “This research aimed to survey the data from a population that is understudied, but we are proud to have contributed to this necessary data analysis. Patients with this level of obesity represent a growing demographic, and one that requires nuanced care. The good news is, though these patients may be considered high risk due to their BMIs, bariatric and metabolic surgery remain largely safe for these patients.”
The study involved an in-depth analysis of postoperative outcomes, changes in BMI and weight, and rates of complications such as emergency department visits, readmissions, and reoperations within the first year after surgery. Weight loss was monitored at several intervals: 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year. The results showed robust weight loss and significant improvement in patient health, with outcomes remaining durable up to one year post-surgery.
Interestingly, while patients in this group experienced higher rates of emergency department visits compared to those with lower BMI levels, the complication rates remained low, with minimal need for reoperation. This supports the conclusion that the surgical benefits far outweigh the risks for this patient group.
Dr. Philip Schauer, Director of the Metamor Institute, underscored the importance of these findings: “As the prevalence of obesity continues on its current trajectory, doctors, surgeons, and researchers are more and more likely to work with patients with BMI’s above 70 kg/m². Our analysis of the data demonstrates the BMI levels of these patients do not warrant hesitations for performing bariatric and metabolic surgery as a method of treatment to treat them. At Metamor, we see it as our mission to provide this kind of clarity, and we welcome other institutions to pursue future studies with this expanding demographic.”
The study’s results contribute to growing evidence that there is no established upper BMI limit for bariatric surgery. While it is commonly accepted that higher BMI increases surgical risk, the study affirms that metabolic and bariatric surgeries remain effective, even for patients with extreme obesity. The findings also suggest that such surgeries can provide long-lasting benefits, such as significant and sustained weight loss, even in high-risk patients.
Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical, echoed the sentiment: “Addressing the leading health epidemic of our time is the mission of Pennington Biomedical, and our researchers at the Metamor Institute are delivering on that mission through studies and analysis like this. Though we encourage further research, this study and others like it offer hope to those who are suffering from the deleterious health effects of obesity. Researchers, patients, and surgeons can have an increased sense of confidence that metabolic surgery is safe and effective in treating obesity.”
The study was conducted by the Metamor Institute, located at Pennington Biomedical, which was founded as a collaboration among Pennington Biomedical, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, LSU Health New Orleans, and several other partners. The institute focuses on the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and related diseases, using an integrated approach to provide comprehensive care for patients.
In conclusion, this study provides strong evidence supporting bariatric surgery as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with BMI over 70. As the obesity epidemic continues to grow, these findings are crucial in reassuring both patients and healthcare providers that metabolic and bariatric surgery remains a viable and safe intervention for severe obesity.
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