Yuxi Zhang, BA1, Neeraja Nagarajan, MD, MPH2, Cecilia Portwood, BS, BA2, Kimberly Smith, PhD3, Vidya Kamath, PhD3, Susan Carnell, PhD3, Timothy Moran, PhD3, Kimberley E Steele, MD, PhD2. 1University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 2Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 3Department of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Introduction: Bariatric surgery induces rapid weight loss after surgery. The initial rate of weight loss declines after a year. Weight regain has been observed in patients in long-term follow-up. Initial taste preferences may play a role in weight regain by influencing the impact of surgery on diet. However, this has not been established. We sought to investigate the association between preoperative taste preferences and weight regain following bariatric surgery.
Methods: Patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) with two years of follow-up were included. Demographics and weight were collected in follow-up visits. Preoperative taste preferences were assessed using a 40-question survey administered at least six months post-surgery. Weight regain was calculated as weight at two years – weight at one year post-surgery; with + signifying weight regain and – values, weight loss. Linear regression models were utilized to study associations between weight regain and preoperative taste preferences with and without controlling for demographic factors and surgery type.
Results: Table 1. Subject Characteristics.
| Characteristic | RYGB (n=109) | VSG (n=24) |
|---|---|---|
| Age, mean (SD), y | 46.7 (11.3) | 44.0 (8.9) |
| Female (%) | 80.7 | 79.2 |
| Caucasian race (%) | 78.0 | 62.5 |
| Preoperative weight, mean (SD), kg | 133.5 (26.9) | 126.8 (22.7) |
| Preoperative body mass index, mean (SD), kg/m2 | 48.3 (9.6) | 46.3 (6.4) |
| Preoperative taste preference (%) | ||
| No preference, sweet, salty, savory | 13.8, 44.0, 16.5, 25.7 | 4.2, 45.8, 16.7, 33.3 |
| Weight regain, mean (SD), kg | -2.9 (9.8) | 1.5 (5.6) |
RYGB had less (-4.5 kg, p=0.033) weight regain than VSG. Compared to patients with no preferences, patients with sweet food or salty food preferences had 5.5 kg (p=0.038) and 6.1 kg (p=0.048) weight regain respectively. Adjusted analyses demonstrated that patients with salty food preference had 6.6 kg (p=0.032) weight regain than patients with no preferences.
Conclusions: Preoperative salty taste preference is associated with weight regain at two years post-surgery in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Our findings may help to predict long-term weight loss maintenance for patients with known preoperative taste preferences. Patients with preoperative salty taste preference may need further psychosocial postoperative support/resources to prevent weight regain and to ensure healthy and sufficient weight loss.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 95611
Program Number: S078
Presentation Session: Bariatric II – Revisions
Presentation Type: Podium