{"product_id":"understanding-weight-loss-surgery-worldwide-the-2019-ifso-global-registry-report-explained","title":"Understanding Weight-Loss Surgery Worldwide: The 2019 IFSO Global Registry Report Explained","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis report analyzes data from 833,687 bariatric (weight-loss) and metabolic surgeries performed across 61 countries and submitted to the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) Global Registry. The key finding: one year after surgery, patients lost an average of 31.1% of their body weight, and 64.2% of patients taking diabetes medication no longer needed it, with similar dramatic improvements in high blood pressure and cholesterol. The report also reveals significant global variations in who gets surgery, which procedures are used, and the burden of obesity-related diseases, highlighting both the power and the limitations of real-world surgical data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch1\u003eUnderstanding Weight-Loss Surgery Worldwide: The 2019 IFSO Global Registry Report Explained\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#background\"\u003eWhy This Registry Matters\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#scope\"\u003eThe Scope of the Registry: 833,687 Operations\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#methods\"\u003eHow the Research Was Conducted\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#demographics\"\u003ePatient Demographics: Age, Gender, and BMI\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#diseases\"\u003eObesity-Related Diseases Before Surgery\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#procedures\"\u003eTypes of Surgery Performed\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#hospital\"\u003eImmediate Outcomes: Hospital Stay and Recovery\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#outcomes\"\u003eOne-Year Results: Weight Loss and Disease Remission\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#implications\"\u003eWhat This Means for Patients\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#limitations\"\u003eWhat This Study Could Not Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#recommendations\"\u003eRecommendations for Patients and Providers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#source\"\u003eSource Information\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-key-points\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 2019 IFSO Global Registry report analyzed 833,687 bariatric surgeries from 61 countries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne year after surgery, patients lost 31.1% of total body weight; 64.2% stopped diabetes medication.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSleeve gastrectomy was the most common procedure (47%), with 99.1% performed laparoscopically.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTypical patients were 43 years old, had a BMI of 44.3, and were female (77.1%).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnly 30.1% of patients had follow-up data, so one-year results may not represent everyone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:keypoints:end --\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"background\"\u003eWhy This Registry Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObesity is a global health crisis with devastating consequences, and surgical treatment — known as bariatric or metabolic surgery — is one of the most powerful tools available to fight it. But until recently, there was no comprehensive way to understand how this surgery is being used worldwide, who is receiving it, and how well it actually works in everyday practice (as opposed to controlled clinical trials).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe IFSO Global Registry was created to fill that gap. It is a collaborative project run by the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, in partnership with Dendrite Clinical Systems, a UK-based company that builds and maintains the web-based registry. This Fifth Report, published in September 2019, represents the largest database of bariatric\/metabolic surgery ever assembled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs IFSO President Almino Ramos wrote in the report's preface: \"Real and true data is the only way for convincing our peer specialties, governments, insurers, health care companies and the general community about the benefits of bariatric\/metabolic surgery.\" He emphasized that the ultimate goal is simple: \u003cstrong\u003e\"improve the outcomes offered to our patients.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"scope\"\u003eThe Scope of the Registry: 833,687 Operations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe numbers in this report are staggering. A total of \u003cstrong\u003e833,687 bariatric operation records\u003c\/strong\u003e were submitted from \u003cstrong\u003e61 countries\u003c\/strong\u003e, representing some \u003cstrong\u003e14.6 million individual baseline data-items\u003c\/strong\u003e. Well over \u003cstrong\u003e1,000 hospitals\u003c\/strong\u003e contributed data, either directly or through their national registry submissions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe volume of data nearly doubled compared to the previous year's report. The number of records submitted per country ranged from a single entry from one center, to over \u003cstrong\u003e335,000 records submitted for the very first time by the national registry from the United States of America\u003c\/strong\u003e — by far the largest tranche of data from a single country, roughly four times larger than any other contributor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis means that any headline figures in the report are heavily influenced by data from the USA. The report also notes that most records fell in the period \u003cstrong\u003e2012–2019 (86.3%)\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong\u003e594,235 operations (71.3%) dated in the calendar years 2015–2018\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"methods\"\u003eHow the Research Was Conducted\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe registry uses a standardized dataset containing \u003cstrong\u003e41 variables\u003c\/strong\u003e: 28 in the baseline record (collected before surgery) and 13 in the follow-up section (collected after surgery). Data were submitted by national registries, regional systems, and individual hospitals from around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, \u003cstrong\u003e78.3% of the baseline records were more than 70% complete\u003c\/strong\u003e for operations dated 2015–2018, indicating generally good data quality. The report used the same dataset as the Fourth Report (2018) to ensure consistency across editions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analysis was organized according to the IFSO Chapter to which each contributing country belongs — these are regional groupings: Asia-Pacific (APC), European (EC), Latin American (LAC), Middle East\/North Africa\/Cyprus (MENAC), and North American (NAC). Notably, the Fifth Report includes a large tranche of data from North America for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe researchers deliberately did \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e perform statistical comparisons between countries or attempt to analyze complications or mortality data, because the data have not been validated for those purposes. As the introduction states, they \"steered well clear of attempting to make statistical comparisons based on these unvalidated data.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"demographics\"\u003ePatient Demographics: Age, Gender, and BMI\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGender Inequality in Access to Surgery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, \u003cstrong\u003e77.1% of patients were female\u003c\/strong\u003e (95% CI: 76.9–77.2%). But this varied enormously by country. The proportion of female patients ranged from \u003cstrong\u003e43.3% in Belgium\u003c\/strong\u003e to \u003cstrong\u003e93.1% in Guadeloupe\u003c\/strong\u003e. This wide variation suggests significant differences in access to surgery for men across different health systems, a finding the authors flag as an important issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAge at Time of Surgery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe median age of patients at the time of primary surgery was \u003cstrong\u003e43.0 years\u003c\/strong\u003e (inter-quartile range: 34.0–52.0 years). In other words, half of all patients were between 34 and 52 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBody Mass Index (BMI)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBody mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. The median BMI before surgery was \u003cstrong\u003e44.3 kg\/m²\u003c\/strong\u003e (inter-quartile range: 40.4–49.8 kg\/m²). For context, a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese, and 40 or above is classified as severe (or \"morbid\") obesity. So the typical patient in this registry had severe obesity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere was a very wide variation in BMI between countries. The lowest median pre-surgery BMI was \u003cstrong\u003e36.4 kg\/m² in Chile\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the highest was \u003cstrong\u003e52.9 kg\/m² in Bulgaria\u003c\/strong\u003e. This may reflect differences in referral criteria, health system policies, or the underlying obesity burden in each population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"diseases\"\u003eObesity-Related Diseases Before Surgery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe registry collected detailed information on obesity-related conditions (comorbidities) present before surgery. The following figures represent patients who were on medication for these conditions or had the diagnosis, based on countries contributing more than 100 records:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType 2 diabetes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23.3% of patients were on medication (inter-country variation: 8.7–93.9%)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHypertension (high blood pressure):\u003c\/strong\u003e 41.0% were on medication (inter-country variation: 15.5–90.4%)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepression:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.5% were on medication (inter-country variation: 0.2–77.4%)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMusculoskeletal pain:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.0% were on medication (inter-country variation: 0.0–64.7%)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSleep apnea:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18.9% had the condition (inter-country variation: 0.0–74.4%)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGastro-esophageal reflux disorder (GERD, chronic acid reflux):\u003c\/strong\u003e 25.1% had the condition (inter-country variation: 0.0–54.8%)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese wide variations (for example, from less than 1% to over 93% for diabetes medication use) likely reflect a combination of genuine population differences, differing diagnostic practices, and variations in how completely data were recorded in different countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"procedures\"\u003eTypes of Surgery Performed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBariatric surgery includes several different procedures. This report tracked the four most common ones, and found wide variation in practice around the world:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSleeve gastrectomy\u003c\/strong\u003e (stomach reduction to a tube\/sleeve shape): \u003cstrong\u003e391,423 procedures (47.0% of all records)\u003c\/strong\u003e — the most common operation overall\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoux-en-Y gastric bypass\u003c\/strong\u003e (stomach pouch creation with intestinal rerouting): \u003cstrong\u003e294,530 procedures (35.3%)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGastric banding\u003c\/strong\u003e (an adjustable band placed around the stomach): \u003cstrong\u003e70,085 procedures (8.4%)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB\/MGB, mini-gastric bypass):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e30,914 procedures (3.7%)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome countries reported only sleeve gastrectomy — Australia (a multi-centre contributor), Guadeloupe, and Peru each reported \u003cstrong\u003e100% sleeve gastrectomy\u003c\/strong\u003e (though Guadeloupe and Peru were each represented by a single hospital). At the other extreme, some countries reported almost 85% Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The highest proportions of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were in \u003cstrong\u003eCanada (84.3%), Colombia (80.7%), and Brazil (76.6%)\u003c\/strong\u003e. One country reported almost all its operations as one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB\/MGB).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most striking findings: \u003cstrong\u003e99.1% of all operations were performed laparoscopically\u003c\/strong\u003e (minimally invasive, \"keyhole\" surgery), reflecting a major technological shift in how these procedures are delivered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"hospital\"\u003eImmediate Outcomes: Hospital Stay and Recovery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe report examined how long patients stayed in hospital after surgery. Patterns were generally similar across most IFSO Chapters, with one exception: patients in the Asia-Pacific Chapter tended to stay a little longer in hospital. The authors note that the reasons are \"not clear from the data, but are more likely to be driven by organisational issues than anything to do with the quality of surgery.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAverage (and median) hospital stays by procedure type were:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGastric banding:\u003c\/strong\u003e average 1.0 days; median 1.0 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSleeve gastrectomy:\u003c\/strong\u003e average 1.9 days; median 2.0 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoux-en-Y gastric bypass:\u003c\/strong\u003e average 2.1 days; median 2.0 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB\/MGB):\u003c\/strong\u003e average 2.8 days; median 2.0 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese short hospital stays confirm that modern bariatric surgery is generally performed as a minimally invasive procedure with a quick recovery in the hospital setting. The longer average stay for OAGB\/MGB (2.8 days vs. 2.0 median) suggests that some patients in that group required additional recovery time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"outcomes\"\u003eOne-Year Results: Weight Loss and Disease Remission\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most important question for any patient considering bariatric surgery is: \u003cstrong\u003eDoes it work?\u003c\/strong\u003e The registry data provide a powerful answer, though with an important caveat about follow-up rates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor primary (first-time) operations performed in \u003cstrong\u003e2012–2017\u003c\/strong\u003e, there were \u003cstrong\u003e559,256 operation records\u003c\/strong\u003e. Of these, \u003cstrong\u003e168,580 had one or more follow-up records (30.1%)\u003c\/strong\u003e, totaling \u003cstrong\u003e509,999 separate follow-up records\u003c\/strong\u003e. This means about 70% of patients did not have follow-up data recorded — a significant limitation discussed below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong patients with follow-up data, the results were striking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAverage weight loss of 31.1%\u003c\/strong\u003e of total body weight at one year after surgery\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e64.2% of patients taking medication for type 2 diabetes no longer needed it\u003c\/strong\u003e — and this was directly correlated with the amount of weight loss achieved\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e45.4% of patients taking medication for hypertension no longer required it\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e51.8% of patients on cholesterol-lowering medication (for dyslipidemia) were able to stop it\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatients also saw improvement in other obesity-related conditions, including \u003cstrong\u003esleep apnea\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003egastro-esophageal reflux disorder (GERD)\u003c\/strong\u003e, though the extent of these improvements varied from one operation type to another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese findings align with the report's conclusion that \"this Report demonstrates the profound positive treatment-effects of bariatric and metabolic surgery.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"risk\"\u003eSurgical Risk Stratification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe report also examined the risk profile of patients undergoing surgery using the \u003cstrong\u003eObesity Surgery Mortality Risk Score (OSMRS)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a scoring system that helps predict the risk of death after bariatric surgery based on factors like age, BMI, blood pressure, and known risk conditions (such as previous blood clots, pulmonary embolism, and inability to walk).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distribution of risk scores varied widely by country. The countries with the \u003cstrong\u003ehighest-risk patient populations\u003c\/strong\u003e (combined OSMRS groups B \u0026amp; C, indicating elevated risk) were:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeorgia: 88.1%\u003c\/strong\u003e of patients in the higher-risk groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHong Kong: 68.2%\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMexico: 57.7%\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe countries with the \u003cstrong\u003elowest-risk patient populations\u003c\/strong\u003e were:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQatar: 15.3%\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKuwait: 21.8%\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnited Arab Emirates: 23.2%\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese differences may reflect varying referral practices, differences in the underlying health of patient populations, or differences in how the risk factors were recorded. Understanding local risk profiles matters for patients when discussing surgical options with their care team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"implications\"\u003eWhat This Means for Patients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor patients considering bariatric surgery, the implications of this report are encouraging:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurgery is highly effective for weight loss.\u003c\/strong\u003e The average 31.1% total body weight loss at one year is consistent with findings from many individual studies and confirms that real-world results match clinical trial results.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiabetes often goes into remission.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nearly two-thirds of patients (64.2%) were able to stop their diabetes medication within a year — a life-changing outcome. The correlation with weight loss underscores the fundamental role that weight plays in metabolic health.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlood pressure and cholesterol improve dramatically.\u003c\/strong\u003e Roughly half of patients came off their medications for these conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurgery is minimally invasive.\u003c\/strong\u003e With 99.1% of procedures performed laparoscopically and typical hospital stays of just 1–3 days, the surgical experience today is very different from the open surgeries of decades past.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBut access is uneven.\u003c\/strong\u003e The wide gender gap (77.1% female overall) and the huge country-by-country variation in who gets surgery suggest that many people — especially men — face barriers to accessing surgical treatment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe report's preface also highlights a sobering reality: surgical treatment is \"under-provided relative to the extent of disease\" worldwide. Many people who could benefit from bariatric surgery are not receiving it. The registry's mission, as stated by Registry Chair Wendy Brown, is to provide \"the most credible and transparent information available on bariatric\/metabolic surgery\" so that patients, doctors, insurers, and governments can make better decisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"limitations\"\u003eWhat This Study Could Not Show\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is important to understand the limitations of registry data, and the authors are transparent about them:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFollow-up rates were low.\u003c\/strong\u003e Only 30.1% of eligible patients had follow-up data recorded. If the patients lost to follow-up had different outcomes than those who were tracked, the results could be biased (in either direction).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo statistical comparisons between countries were made.\u003c\/strong\u003e The data are described but not used to declare one country or technique \"better\" than another, because the data have not been validated for that purpose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplications and mortality were not analyzed.\u003c\/strong\u003e The report explicitly states that no attempt was made to analyze these outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe registry is not comprehensive.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not all countries are included, and not all surgeries in participating countries were necessarily captured. The report's foreword calls the registry \"still in its infancy.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eData quality varies.\u003c\/strong\u003e While 78.3% of baseline records were more than 70% complete, that means more than one-fifth of records had significant missing data.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUS data dominated the headline figures.\u003c\/strong\u003e Since the US contributed roughly 335,000 of 833,687 records (about 40%), overall averages are heavily weighted toward American practice and patients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"recommendations\"\u003eRecommendations for Patients and Providers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the report's findings and stated goals, here are practical takeaways for patients and the broader community:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIf you are considering bariatric surgery, know that the evidence is strong.\u003c\/strong\u003e This registry, representing more than 800,000 real-world operations, confirms that weight-loss surgery produces substantial, sustained weight loss and major improvements in diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAsk your surgeon about expected outcomes and risks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your personal risk profile (using tools like the OSMRS score) can help you and your surgeon discuss the balance of benefits and risks in your individual case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiscuss which procedure is right for you.\u003c\/strong\u003e With major variation in practice between countries and even between centers — from sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to OAGB\/MGB — it's worth understanding why your surgeon recommends the approach they do.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommit to follow-up care.\u003c\/strong\u003e The low follow-up rate in this registry (30.1%) is a reminder that follow-up after surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Regular check-ups help ensure the best long-term outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdvocate for access.\u003c\/strong\u003e The gender gap and under-provision of surgery worldwide suggest that many people who could benefit are not being offered surgery. If you or someone you know has severe obesity and related health conditions, it is worth having an informed conversation with a healthcare provider about whether surgery might be appropriate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe IFSO Global Registry Committee continues to work on improving the registry, with plans to identify \u003cstrong\u003e5–6 core outcome measures\u003c\/strong\u003e (including patient-reported outcome measures, or PROMs), to develop a template protocol for new national registries, and to encourage national registries to capture at least 80% of all procedures performed in their countries. These improvements will make future reports even more useful for patients and clinicians alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:start --\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"ddn-faq\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much weight can I expect to lose one year after bariatric surgery?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a registry of 833,687 operations from 61 countries, patients with follow-up data lost an average of 31.1% of their total body weight one year after surgery. Two-thirds of patients taking diabetes medication no longer needed it. The weight loss was directly related to improvements in diabetes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill I still need diabetes medication after weight-loss surgery?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross 833,687 surgeries recorded worldwide, 64.2% of patients taking diabetes medication no longer needed it one year after surgery. The chance of stopping medication increased with greater weight loss. Blood pressure and cholesterol medications were also stopped in about half of patients.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long is the hospital stay for bariatric surgery?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAverage hospital stay was about one day for gastric banding, two days for sleeve gastrectomy, and two days for gastric bypass. One anastomosis gastric bypass averaged 2.8 days. Almost all surgeries (99.1%) were performed laparoscopically, so recovery in the hospital is typically quick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat were the limitations of this bariatric surgery registry report?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe report noted that only 30.1% of eligible patients had follow-up data, so results might be biased. Complications and mortality were not analyzed. No statistical comparisons between countries were made because the data were not validated. US data made up about 40% of all records, heavily influencing overall averages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes bariatric surgery improve high blood pressure and cholesterol?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. In the registry, 45.4% of patients taking high blood pressure medication no longer needed it one year after surgery, and 51.8% stopped cholesterol medication. Improvement in sleep apnea and acid reflux was also seen, though the degree varied by surgery type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ddn:faq:end --\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"source\"\u003eSource Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Report Title:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fifth IFSO Global Registry Report 2019 (5th IFSO Global Registry Report, September 2019)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\/Preparers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Almino Ramos MD MSc PhD FACS FASMBS; Lilian Kow BMBS PhD FRACS; Wendy Brown MBBS PhD FACS FRACS; Richard Welbourn MD FRCS; John Dixon PhD FRACGP FRCP Edin; Robin Kinsman BSc PhD; Peter Walton MA MB BChir MBA FRCP\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) and Dendrite Clinical Systems Ltd, September 2019. ISBN 978-1-9160207-3-3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelated peer-reviewed publications cited in the report:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWelbourn R, Pournaras DJ, Dixon J, et al. \"Bariatric Surgery Worldwide: Baseline Demographic Description and One-Year Outcomes from the Second IFSO Global Registry Report 2013–2015.\" \u003cem\u003eObesity Surgery\u003c\/em\u003e. 2018; 28(2): 313–322.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWelbourn R, Hollyman M, Kinsman R, et al. \"Bariatric Surgery Worldwide: Baseline Demographic Description and One-Year Outcomes from the Fourth IFSO Global Registry Report 2018.\" \u003cem\u003eObesity Surgery\u003c\/em\u003e. 2019; 29(3): 782–795.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: This patient-friendly article is based on a published registry report containing peer-reviewed research. It is intended for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual medical situation.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47457935491228,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/diagnosticdetectives.cn\/products\/understanding-weight-loss-surgery-worldwide-the-2019-ifso-global-registry-report-explained","provider":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}