Upper age limits for bariatric surgery are questioned on the merits of increased complication rates in the elderly and questionable efficacy. This study evaluates outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients ≥ 70years of age. Retrospective review was performed of patients ≥ 70years of age who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) between 2001 and 2018. Primary endpoints were 30-day readmission, Clavien-Dindo grade III-V (CD III-IV) complications, and mortality. Secondary data included were weight loss, long-term outcomes, comorbidity resolution, hemoglobin A1C, and lipid panels. A total of 23 patients with an average age of 72years (range 70-80years) and mean BMI of 43.3 (range 37.3-56.0) were reviewed. Average length-of-stay was 2.4days (range 1-6days), with the only acute complication being aspiration pneumonia in one patient. Median follow-up was 69.3weeks (range 9-875weeks). One-year follow-up rate was 96%, during which no deaths or CD III-IV complications occurred. Subsequently, one patient experienced failure-to-thrive requiring temporary enteral nutrition. Average 1year percent total weight loss (%TWL) was 29%, and this was maintained on subsequent follow-ups. Average 1year percent excess weight loss (%EWL) was 60%, maintained long-term at 61%. Significant serum biochemical improvements included hemoglobin A1C (6.9 ± 1.4% to 5.6 ± 1.3%, p = 0.001), triglycerides (155 ± 49mg/dL to 102 ± 41mg/dL, p = 0.0003), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (48 ± 14mg/dL to 58 ± 22mg/dL, p = 0.004). Laparoscopic RYGB is a safe and effective treatment for obesity and obesity-related comorbidities in septuagenarians.
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