Decision Regret after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy—5 Years’ Perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Patient's satisfaction after weight loss surgery is in the research spotlight. However, there are still no quantitative data regarding whether patients regret their decision to undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate whether patients regret their decision to undergo SG 5 years after surgery. The secondary objective was to identify whether weight loss and a higher quality of life (QoL) score correlate with the regret expressed by patients. Setting: Military Hospital, Poland Methods: A telephone survey was carried out among patients 5 years after surgery. Patient satisfaction regarding their decision to undergo SG was assessed using the Decision Regret Scale. QoL scores were determined using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Results: One hundred and four patients who answered a full telephone survey were enrolled in the study. Change in body mass index (ΔBMI) was 12.31±6.2, excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) was 55.45%±25.52%, and percent total weight loss (%TWL) was 25.20%±11.7%. At the 5-year postoperative telephone survey, the mean general health score was 50.96±14.0 and the mean regret score was 32.33±13.24 (range, 25–85). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between %EBMIL and regret score (r=−0.435; p<0.001). There was a significant negative association between regret score and energy/fatigue QoL (r=−0.205; p=0.040). Only eight patients (7.69%) scored >50 on the Decision Regret Scale, which was considered to represent overall regret for their decision. Conclusion: Our study suggests that, in general, patients did not regret their decision to undergo SG. Key Points: The majority of patients did not regret their decision to undergo SG. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between weight loss and patients’ feelings of regret. Energy/fatigue QoL was the strongest correlate of whether patients regretted their decision to undergo SG. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]