Background

Native American patients have high rates of obesity and related comorbidities. The goal of this study is to review the outcomes of Native American patients after they undergo bariatric surgery through a multidisciplinary program.

Methods

A retrospective review of Native American patients who underwent bariatric surgery from June 2021 to August 2022 and who are part of a comprehensive bariatric program were included. All patients met National Institutes of Health consensus statement guidelines. Patient comorbidities, operative details, percentages of weight loss, BMI change, and improvement or resolution of diabetes mellitus at 6 month intervals were compared.

Results

A total of 38 patients were included in this study. Of the patients studied, 16 had a diagnosis of diabetes and a total of 18 patients were treated with anti-obesity medications. Mean preoperative weight and BMI were 142.61 kg and 46.93 kg/m2, respectively. Surgical intervention included primary RYGB (58%), Sleeve gastrectomy (32%), SADI (8%), and conversion to RYGB (3%). At 6 months, percent change from the highest recorded weight average for the cohort was –13% , BMI 42.63 kg/m2. Post-operatively patients with diabetes had an average HbA1c of 5.6%.

Conclusions

Multidisciplinary combined therapy is successful in Native American patients with obesity. Native American patients undergoing bariatric surgery have high rates of DM, and low rates of perioperative complications. More research is needed to determine how bariatric surgery improves the lives of patients with obesity and how to improve access to comprehensive bariatric programs.