Effect of Sarcopenic Obesity on Weight Loss Outcomes and Quality of Life after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Sarcopenic obesity may affect the health outcome of people with obesity after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). To assess the impact of sarcopenic obesity (SO) on weight loss outcomes and improvement of quality of life after LSG.

This observational study included patients who underwent LSG with SO (99 patients) or without SO (146 patients) from a single center. The primary endpoint was weight loss and disease-specific quality of life in patients with or without SO after the operation. Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were calculated based on the L3-level images of preoperative CT scans. SO was diagnosed if FM/FFM ≥ 0.80.

Operative time and postoperative hospital stay days were longer in the SO group (p < 0.001). After LSG, weight, BMI, and EBMI were significantly lower in the NSO group than in the SO group (all P < 0.05), while %EWL and the number of patients with %EWL ≥ 100% were significantly lower in the SO group (both p < 0.05). The total BAROS scores of patients in the NSO group were higher than those in the SO group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the MA II questionnaire assessment showed a lower percentage of “very good” and “good” outcomes in the SO group (p < 0.05).

Patients with SO take a slower rate, longer time to reach the ideal weight, and lower quality of life self-ratings than NSO patients after LSG. Thus, preoperative evaluation and tailoring rehabilitation guidance for people with SO should be accounted.