Does Patient's Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Knowledge Predict Optimal Clinical Outcomes?

Purpose: Preoperative evaluation and educational training are required before metabolic and bariatric surgery. This study evaluates patient's comprehension prior to the operation and identifies the relationship between certain sociodemographic parameters and surgery outcomes.

Materials and methods: An analysis of patients who completed a preoperative questionnaire and underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery between 2019 and 2021 was performed. The questionnaire evaluated surgery preparation and factors influencing weight loss after surgery.

Results: In total, 81 patients completed the preoperative questionnaire. Mean age was 44 ± 11.69 years, 63 females (77%). Mean BMI was 42.85 ± 5.72 kg/m². Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and one anastomosis gastric bypass was performed in 10 (12.3%), 28 (34%), and 43 (53%) patients respectively. Out of the patients, 38 (47%) were Israeli born Jews, 14 (17.3%) were Russian born Jews, and 29 (35.8%) were Israeli born Arabs. Mean follow-up was 30.71 ± 8.66 months. Questionnaire scores average was 67.7 ± 16.15. Based on univariate analysis, younger, single, higher educated, fewer offspring, and Israeli born Jews significantly scored higher in the questionnaire (p = 0.03, 0.05, 0.01, 0.0002, 0.02 respectively). Postoperational weight loss was significantly inferior among older patients, revisional procedures, and patients with lower educational levels (p = 0.02, 0.006, 0.05 respectively). Patients with a higher BMI, and fewer offspring had a significantly higher weight loss postoperatively (p = 0.0001, 0.02 respectively).

Conclusion: The number of factors can influence optimal weight loss following metabolic and bariatric surgery. Identifying groups with certain characteristics and addressing their weaknesses may improve weight loss outcomes.