Successful surgical weight loss with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity prior to kidney transplantation

Abstract

Morbid obesity in kidney transplant (KT) candidates is associated with increased complications and graft failure. Multiple series have demonstrated rapid and significant weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in this population. Long‐term and post‐transplant weight evolutions are still largely unknown. A retrospective review was performed in eighty patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) who underwent LSG in preparation for KT. From a median initial BMI of 43.7 kg/m², the median change at 1‐year was −10.0 kg/m². Successful surgical weight loss (achieving a BMI < 35 kg/m² or an excess body weight loss >50%) was attained in 76.3% and was associated with male gender, predialysis status, lower obesity class and lack of coronary artery disease. Thirty‐one patients subsequently received a KT with a median delay of 16.7 months. Weight regain (increase in BMI of 5 kg/m² postnadir) and recurrent obesity (weight regain + BMI > 35) remain a concern, occurring post‐KT in 35.7% and 17.9%, respectively. Early LSG should be considered for morbidly obese patients with ESKD for improved weight loss outcomes. Early KT after LSG does not appear to affect short‐term surgical weight loss. Candidates with a BMI of up to 45 kg/m² can have a reasonable expectation to achieve the limit within 1 year.