Background and Objectives: The prevalence of GERD is increasing among individuals with obesity, and RYGB is an effective procedure to control GERD and obesity. However, some patients continue to have GERD after RYGB. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the risk factors for GERD after RYGB. Material and Methods: This prospective study included 180 RYGB patients followed for an average of 12.2 (0.6) years. In total, 126 (70%) patients agreed to participate and provided data on their weight, GERD symptoms, and filled the GERD-HRQL, TFEQ-18, and GSRS questionnaires. Results: The average age before surgery was 42.7 (10.5) years, and BMI was 45.2 (6.4) kg/m². Moreover, 128 (71.1%) were females, and preoperative GERD was diagnosed in 74 (41.1%) patients. At the 12-year follow-up, the mean %EBMIL and %TWL was 60.37 and 25.73, respectively. The median %WR was 18.0 (39.0). Postoperative GERD was present in 30 (23.8%) patients, of whom 12 (40%) continued to have GERD symptoms and 18 (60%) developed de novo GERD. The GERD-HRQL score significantly decreased from 3.0 (9.0) at baseline to 2.0 (5.0) (p = 0.028) at 12 years. GSRS Diarrhea and Indigestion scores increased significantly from 1.33 (0.67) to 1.5 (2.42) (p < 0.001) and from 2.0 (1.25) to 2.25 (1.25) (p < 0.001), respectively. No change in the cognitive restraint score was observed. Uncontrolled eating and emotional eating scores decreased from 51.85 (22.22) to 40.74 (33.33) (p < 0.001) and from 44.44 (44.44) to 33.33 (22.22) (p < 0.001), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, %WR > 11 (OR = 3.22, p = 0.029) and GSRS Diarrhea score (OR = 3.21, p = 0.027) were significant predictors of GERD 12 years after RYGB. Conclusions: RYGB was an effective procedure to control GERD; however, 23.8% had persistent or de novo GERD after 12 years. The independent risk factors associated with GERD after RYGB were weight regain and GSRS Diarrhea score.

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic gastric greater curvature plication (LGGCP) is considered to be less invasive, technically simpler, and less costly. Few studies have compared LGGCP to gastric bypass. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes of LGGCP such as weight loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in comparison to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Materials and Methods: Between 2017 April and 2018 December, 112 patients were included in the study. Fifty patients had LGGCP, and sixty-two patients underwent LRYGB. Demographics, comorbidities, complications, percentage of excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL), gastrointestinal symptoms (GSRS questionnaire), and HRQoL (EQ-5D-3L questionnaire) were analysed. Gastrointestinal symptoms and HRQoL data are presented as the mean and median with the interquartile range (25th–75th percentile). Follow-up at 1 year and 3 year was performed. Results: The follow-up rate was 96.4% and 92.9%, 1 year and 3 year after surgery, respectively. Mean (SD) %EBMIL 1 year after surgery was 59.05 (25.34) in the LGGCP group and 82.40 (19.03) in the LRYGB group (p < 0.001) and 3 year after was 41.44 (26.74) and 75.59 (19.14), respectively (p < 0.001). The scores of all gastrointestinal symptoms measured by the GSRS questionnaire significantly decreased 3 year after both procedures, except reflux after LGGCP. Patients 3 year after LGGCP had a significantly lower abdominal pain score as compared to patients after LRYGB (1.01; 1.0 (1.0–1.0) and 1.20; 1.0 (1.0–1.33), respectively (p < 0.001); however, LGGCP resulted in significantly more GERD symptoms (1.79; 1.25 (1.0–2.5) and 1.18; 1.0 (1.0–1.0), respectively (p < 0.001)). Three years after surgery, the quality of life was significantly lower in the LGGCP group (0.762; 0.779 (0.690–0.794) and 0.898; 1.000 (0.783–1.000), respectively (p < 0.001)). Conclusions: Three years after surgery, LGGCP patients lost significantly less weight, had less abdominal pain and more reflux symptoms, and a lower quality of life as compared to LRYGB patients.

Background and Objectives: The global pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), declared on 11 March 2020, had an extensive impact on bariatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term weight loss outcomes, changes in eating behaviour, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients who had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cohort study included 72 patients (Group S) who underwent RYGB surgery in the Surgery Department of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the years 2020–2022. Data for the control group (Group C) of 87 patients (operated on in 2010–2012) were collected from a prospective study. The data referred to the period before and a year after the RYGB. The information about patients’ weight changes, hunger, satiety, fullness sensations, appetite, diet, and eating patterns was queried. Eating behaviour and HRQoL evaluation were conducted by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) and the medical outcomes study Short-Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Results: One year after the surgery, % excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) was 77.88 (26.33) in Group S, 76.21 (19.98) in Group C, p = 0.663. Patients in Group S tended more to choose snacks between main meals: 79.2% versus 28.7%, p < 0.0001. Cognitive restraint significantly increased in Group S from 45.93 (13.37) up to 54.48 (13.76), p = 0.001; additionally, significantly worse overall health status was found in Group S compared to Group C, 53.27 (24.61) versus 70.11 (31.63), p < 0.0001. Mental HRQoL (50.76 versus 60.52 score, p < 0.0001) and social functioning (44.79 versus 57.90, p < 0.0001) were worse in Group S. Conclusions: In this study, the COVID-19 pandemic had no impact on short-term weight loss after RYGB. However, one year after, RYGB patients tended to snack more, and mental HRQoL and social functioning were worse in the study group.

Background and Objectives. Prevalence of GERD is increased among individuals with obesity and RYGB is considered as the most effective procedure to control GERD and obesity. However, some patients continue to have GERD after RYGB. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of GERD after RYGB. Material and Methods. This prospective study included 180 patients operated with RYGB and followed for on average of 12.2 (0.6) years. 126 (70%) patients agreed to participate in online consultations and provided data on weight, GERD symptoms, filled GERD-HRQL, TFEQ-18 and GSRS questionnaires. Results. The average age before surgery was 42.7 (10.5) years and BMI was 45.2 (6.4) kg/m2. 128 (71.1%) were females and preoperative GERD was diagnosed in 74 (41.1%) patients. At 12 years follow-up the mean %EBMIL and %TWL were 60.37 and 25.73, respectively. The median %WR was 18.0 (39.0). The GERD was present in 30 (23.8%) patients, of whom 12 (40%) continued to have GERD symptoms and 18 (60%) developed de novo GERD. The GERD-HRQL score significantly decreased from 3.0 (8.0) at baseline to 2.0 (5.0) (p=0.028) at 12 years. GSRS Diarrhea and Indigestion median scores increased significantly, from 1.33 (0.67) to 1.5 (2.42) (p 3.2.