The Effect of Resected Specimen Weight on Weight Loss After Sleeve Gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures worldwide. While several studies have examined the relationship between gastric volume and weight loss, the correlation between resected gastric specimen weight and postoperative weight loss remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the weight of the resected gastric specimen and weight loss outcomes after LSG.
METHODS: A total of 50 patients (39 women, 11 men; mean age 38.52±10.36 years) who underwent LSG were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative (3rd, 6th, and 12th months) weight and BMI values were recorded. The correlation between resected stomach weight (full and empty) and postoperative weight loss was assessed.
RESULTS: A statistically significant weight loss was observed in all patients up to the 12th month (p<0.001). The resected stomach weight was moderately correlated with patient weight at all follow-up points (p<0.01). However, the correlation between resected gastric specimen weight and percentage of excess weight loss was only significant in the early period (3rd month). No significant association was found in the 6th and 12th months. Additionally, patients with lower initial BMI values experienced greater early weight loss.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Resected gastric specimen weight may serve as a predictive factor for early postoperative weight loss following LSG. However, its predictive value for long-term weight loss remains limited. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify its role in surgical planning and outcome prediction.

Keywords: Sleeve gastrectomy, bariatric surgery, gastric specimen weight, weight loss, obesity.