Effects of Bariatric Surgery in Older Patients

Abstract

Evaluate the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in older patients. Because of an increased morbidity in older patients who may not be as active as younger individuals, there remain concerns that they may not tolerate the operation well or lose adequate amounts of weight. The database of patients who had undergone bariatric surgery since 1980 and National Death Index were queried for patients Results: Eighty patients underwent bariatric surgery: age 63 ± 3 years, 78% women, 68 white, 132 ± 22 kg, BMI 49 ± 7 kg/m2, 217 ± 32%IBW. Preoperative comorbidity, was greater (P Conclusions: Bariatric surgery was effective for older patients with a low morbidity and mortality. Older patients had more pre- and post-operative comorbidities and lost less weight than younger patients. However the weight loss and improvement in comorbidities in older patients were clinically significant.