The present study assessed the degree to which comorbid conditions improved after bariatric surgery in veteran patients.

A retrospective review of 55 patients (age 49.1 ± 1.2, body mass index 49.3 ± 1.2 kg/m²; 62% male) who underwent open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery at the Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine factors associated with outcomes.

There were 17 minor (8 patients with anastomotic ulcer, 5 patients with hernia, 1 patients with cholecystitis, 1 patients with a wound infection, and 2 patients with seroma) and 4 major (3 patients with pulmonary embolism and 1 patients with gastrojejunostomy leak) complications. Univariate analysis demonstrated that body mass index was associated with increased length of hospital stay but not with morbidity. Age was not associated with length of hospital stay or morbidity. There was improvement in 91% of patients affected with diabetes mellitus, in 89% with hypertension, in 80% with dyslipidemia, and in 62% with obstructive sleep apnea.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass results in a marked amelioration or elimination of obesity-related comorbid conditions in veteran patients. Morbidity and mortality are within acceptable rage for these patients with substantial comorbidies.