Hispanic gastric bypass patients lose less weight

Hispanic gastric bypass patients lose less weight post surgery compared to non-Hispanic whites, and researchers believe more culturally-sensitive care after hospitalization could help address the disparity.

“Studies have shown that bariatric surgery is associated with sustainable weight loss for patients with extreme obesity, but there is very little research to show how these procedures affect persons of different races and ethnicities, especially in the long term,” said study lead author Karen J. Coleman, PhD, in a press release. “To address the current gaps in the knowledge about bariatric surgery, we created a registry of patients who underwent surgery to monitor quality and safety outcomes and assist clinicians who are caring for these patients after their surgery.”

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Gastric bypass surgery is a form of obesity intervention for individuals who have serious weight gain, generally of 100 pounds or more. According to the Obesity Action Coalition, more than 34 percent of individuals in the U.S. are affected by obesity, with approximately 5.7 percent qualifying as severely obese.

Because three-quarters of obese individuals have a subsequent condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea, experts say gastric bypass surgery is a very reasonable option.

Hispanics and other ethnicities are heavily impacted by obesity, making them prime candidates for bariatric surgeries. The end results of these surgeries– while still positive–are, however, less weight loss when compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Researchers in the study noted that at three years following gastric bypass surgery, non-Hispanic white patients lost 63 percent of their excess weight while Hispanic patients lost 59 percent.With vertical sleeve gastrectomy patients?another form of bariatric surgery? the researchers found no significant differences between racial or ethnic groups in the percentage of excess weight lost.

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“Even though some patients may not lose as much weight as others, the weight regain rate at three years is still very low for all patients, regardless of their racial or ethnic background. This supports the success of bariatric surgery for weight control in persons who have extreme obesity,” said Coleman. “We believe our study provides an opportunity for health care providers to potentially develop more culturally sensitive post-surgical programs to improve success rates for populations struggling with weight loss.”

Though the study did not delve into reason why there was a disparity after gastric bypass surgery, the National Library of Medicine indicates diet after the procedures is still very important. Some individuals feel they no longer have to count calories or watch what they consume, but the reality is that fats, sugars, carbohydrates, and alcohol will still cause weight gain even in gastric bypass patients.