Little information is available about the long-term effects of weight-loss surgery. Researchers in the United States conducted an observational, prospective study to determine the long-term durability of health benefits related to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. They enrolled 1,156 adults with severe obesity. Of these, 418 had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (surgery group); 417 sought but didn't have bypass surgery (nonsurgery group 1), mainly for financial reasons; and 321 did not seek surgery (nonsurgery group 2).

Clinical follow-up data at 12 years were obtained for 99% of participants in the surgery group and in nonsurgery group 2 and for 96% of those in nonsurgery group 1. The adjusted mean change in body weight from baseline was -35 kg (mean percent change, -26.9) in the surgery group, -2.9 kg (mean percent change, -2) in nonsurgery group 1, and 0 kg (mean percent change, -0.9) in nonsurgery group 2. A total of 93% of patients in the surgery group maintained a weight loss of 10% or more of their baseline weight during the study period. By year 12, only four patients had regained all of the weight they'd lost after surgery.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes at 12 years was 3% in the surgery group compared with 26% in both nonsurgery groups. The incidence rates of hypertension and dyslipidemia were significantly lower in the surgery group compared with the nonsurgery groups. The remission rates of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were higher in the surgery group.

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