BMI ≥ 70: A Multi-Center Institutional Experience of the Safety and Efficacy of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Intervention.

Purpose: With the escalating prevalence of obesity, healthcare providers are increasingly managing patients with a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 70. The aim of this study was to describe the perioperative experiences of this demographic group at two institutions.

Methods: An analysis encompassing 84 patients presenting with BMI ≥ 70 kg/m² from two institutions was conducted. Data included patient demographics, 30-day postoperative outcomes, and weight-loss at different intervals (30 days, 6 months, 1 year). Additionally, rates of emergency department (ED) utilization, readmission, and reoperation in the first postoperative year were examined.

Results: Most patients were black (66.7%) and female (86.9%) with a mean age of 41.7 years. The majority underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG, 88.1%). Patients exhibited a marked decrease in BMI (7.84% at 30 days, 20.13% at 6 months, and 26.83% at 1 year). Average length of stay was comparable across procedure (F(3,80) = 0.016, p = .997). While 30-day complications were minimal (0.7%), 14.4% of patients experienced ED visits within 30 days, escalating to 19.6% by six months and 25% at 1 year. Readmission and reoperation rates at 1 year were 6.45% and 4.83%, respectively.

Conclusion: With global obesity rates rising, clinicians are being challenged to care for patients with BMI ≥ 70 kg/m². Analysis of two institutions demonstrated low rates of 30-days complications but increased readmission rates and ED utilization in this patient population. Despite increased resource utilization, the study suggests that BMI ≥ 70 kg/m² alone should not be a deterrent for surgery, emphasizing the need for nuanced care in this expanding demographic.