Conversion to Roux en Y gastric bypass after sleeve gastrectomy: outcomes from a Middle Eastern cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Conversion from sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to Roux -en -Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is increasingly performed for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), recurrent weight gain, and anatomical complications, although outcome data from Middle Eastern centers remain limited. AIM: This study evaluated the effectiveness of conversion from SG to RYGB in a Middle Eastern cohort. RESULTS: The cohort included 32 women at a mean (SD) age of 46 (8) years. Mean (SD) pre‑SG BMI in the study population was 42 (7.2) kg/m2 . According to the main indications for conversion, at 1 year, mean (SD) BMI decreased to 24 (1.9) kg/m2 (GERD), 28 (3.3) kg/m2 (recurrent weight gain), and 27 (2.8) kg/m2 (GERD + recurrent weight gain; P <0.001). Mean (SD) %EWL was 82%, 65%, and 67%, respectively. GERD symptoms improved in 85% of the patients. Type 2 diabetes remission occurred in 58%, hypertension improved in 72%, and complications occurred in 9.1% of the study cohort. Descriptive comparison of laparoscopic and robotic approaches showed similar outcomes, but should be interpreted with caution given the noncontemporaneous treatment periods. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to RYGB after SG is effective for weight reduction and GERD symptom improvement, with acceptable morbidity rates.