The association between patient attendance to a perioperative group-based lifestyle program and weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Background: To enable maximal and sustainable weight loss after bariatric surgery, bariatric lifestyle programs through multidisciplinary support are advised.

Objectives: To assess the association between patient attendance to a perioperative group-based bariatric lifestyle program (GBLP) and weight loss up to 48 months postoperatively.

Setting: A multicenter retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands.

Methods: Patients who underwent primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) attended a GBLP in 2016 consisting of 18 sessions. A linear mixed model was used to assess the association between the patient attendance rate to the GBLP and total weight loss (%TWL). Independent predictors for the patient attendance rate and adequate %TWL were analyzed.

Results: A total of 3015 patients were included. Percentage of patients lost to follow-up was 5% at 1 year, 25% at 2 years, 34% at 3 years, and 42% at 4 years follow-up. Average TWL was 33% at 12 months after surgery, 33% at 24 months, 31% at 36 months, and 31% at 48 months. A small but significant adjusted positive association between the attendance rate and %TWL at 3 months until 36 months postoperatively was found (Beta between .03-.07), which disappeared at 48 months after surgery. Independent factors associated with a low attendance rate were younger age, male sex, and SG. Independent factors negatively associated with %TWL were male sex, SG, and diabetes.

Conclusion: A higher patient attendance to GBLP sessions is associated with a small but significant increase in postoperative weight loss up to 3, but not 4 years after surgery.