Increase in Protein Intake After 3Months of RYGB Is an Independent Predictor for the Remission of Obesity in the First Year of Surgery.

Abstract

Although bariatric surgery promotes dietary changes, many questions regarding their effect on weight loss remain unanswered. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in dietary intake and predictive factors of obesity remission in the first 12months after RYGB. Fifty-one patients (mean 39.34 ± 9.38years, 68.7% women) who underwent RYGB were included in this study. Dietary intake was evaluated through a 24-h dietary recall and subsequently classified by NOVA, macronutrients and calories. The predictive factors for obesity remission within 12months after RYGB were evaluated by Cox regression. At baseline, 62.7% of the patients presented severe obesity; mean excess weight loss was greater than 80% after 1year of surgery and about 70% of the patients were no longer diagnosed with obesity. An increase in percentage of calories from protein was observed at 3 and 12months after surgery. The caloric contribution of ultra-processed foods was low at 3months after surgery while that of unprocessed or minimally processed foods was high at 3 and 12months after surgery. From the Cox regression analysis, preoperative BMI (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.88) and age (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99) showed an inverse association with obesity remission. Also, Δ protein (at 3months-baseline) showed a positive association with obesity remission (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12). Lower preoperative BMI, lower age, and higher protein intake at 3months after surgery may favor remission of obesity in up to 12months compared with baseline.