Effectiveness of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity in achieving weight loss outcomes

Objective: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are commonly performed weight loss procedures worldwide. Unfortunately, few studies have compared percentage total weight loss (%TWL) following these procedures. This research compared short-term, mid-term and long-term %TWL by LRYGB and LSG. Methods: Selected databases were searched for original articles that compared %TWL by LSG and LRYGB. Review manager 5.3 was used for data analysis. Effect summary was presented by forest plot. Results: A significantly better %TWL in 5 years was shown by LRYGB than LSG; pooled mean difference (MD) 1.87 (95% CI 0.27–3.48, z statistics = 2.28, p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed better %TWL by LRYGB than LSG at 24 months pooled MD 6.47 (95% CI 1.22–11.72, z statistics = 2.42, p < 0.05), however, better %TWL by LSG was noted after 36 months (pooled MD -0.23; 95% CI -0.39–0.06, z statistics = 2.65, p < 0.05). Finally, significantly better %TWL was noted for LRYGB at 60 months. Conclusion: This study shows %TWL of 70.4% by LRYGB and 59.8% following LSG in at least half of patients from selected cohort. A significantly greater %TWL by LRYGB in short and long term, while higher %TWL by LSG in mid-term is reported.