Effect of Different Bariatric Operations on Food Tolerance and Quality of Eating

Many bariatric operations are associated with reduced food tolerance and frequent vomiting, which may cause nutritional deficiencies and influence quality of life. However, the impact of different bariatric procedures on quality of eating and food tolerance has not yet been studied enough. Two hundred and eighteen participants filled a quality of eating questionnaire, at three different time periods after bariatric operation: short-term (3–6 months, n = 63), medium-term (6–12 months, n = 69) and long-term follow-up (over 12 months, n = 86). The participants underwent the following procedures: 99 patients have had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 49 laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB), 56 sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and 14 biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS). At short-term period score achieved for all section of the questionnaire was similar for all operations. The total score of the questionnaire at the medium-term group was 20.27 ± 3.57, 14.47 ± 5.92, 22.27 ± 4.66, and 20.91 ± 3.26 (p < 0.001) and the total score for the long-term group of was 21.56 ± 5.16, 15.5 ± 3.75, 20.45 ± 4.9, and 24.2 ± 2.16 (p < 0.001) for RYGB, LAGB, SG, and BPD-DS, respectively. In a linear regression model we found that LAGB patients had a significantly lower total score compared to all other procedures (p < 0.001). Every 1% of %EWL was associated with a total score decrease in 0.045 points (p = 0.009). Impaired quality of eating and food intolerance is common following many types of bariatric procedures. However, the difficulties diminish as time passes after operation and can be affected by the type of procedure. Patients undergoing LAGB have significantly greater limitations and difficulties to ingest variety of foods.