Gender-specific differences in bariatric surgery: epidemiology, treatment and results

Abstract

This study investigates gender-specific differences in obesity and the treatment by metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). The database includes 2393 patients (1725 women, 668 men) from for ahigh-volume center for bariatric surgery. Demographic, perioperative and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Men had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and more frequent obesity-associated diseases. Despite the higher prevalence of obesity in men, women accounted for 80% of the surgical patients. On average men had longer operation times but with the same complication rates. Postoperatively, both sexes experienced asignificant reduction in excess body weight, which was slightly more pronounced in women. The study particularly emphasizes the need to better motivate men to undergo obesity treatment in order to reduce the health consequences of morbid obesity in this population group.