NIDDK Labs Archive Bariatric surgery information & the LABS study archive

Archived material from the LABS study participant website (via web.archive.org, snapshot of 2012-08-25). Historical document — links and contacts may be outdated.

LABS in the News

At the recent American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery meeting in San Diego, CA, LABS researchers presented a number of study findings:

  1. Alcohol use disorders and alcoholism increase after weight loss surgery: This presentation by Dr. Wendy King (University of Pittsburgh) was voted Best Presentation of the Integrated Health sessions and brought major media attention to the event and the LABS study.

As a recipient of weight loss surgery, you may already be familiar with the issues surrounding alcohol use after surgery. It is our hope that the publication of this finding in a major medical journal will reinforce the importance of regular follow-up and patient education so that future weight loss surgery candidates may avoid this common problem.

  1. LABS retention results: Historically, follow-up rates after weight loss surgery are low. The LABS study has dedicated numerous resources to following participants and encouraging them to return for visits. Some of these efforts include cash payment or gift cards, travel reimbursement, birthday and surgery anniversary cards, quarterly phone calls and this web site.

William F. Gourash, CRNP, MSN and LABS coordinator at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center presented the retention results of the LABS study at 24 months: Data was received for nearly 94% of LABS participants, making it far superior to many other published reports. Gourash noted that considerable effort and resources are involved and that the study continues to work on identifying which strategies are the most effective.

You can help us determine this by completing the Retention Surveys included with your annual visit forms!

  1. Characteristics of LABS-2 participants before surgery: Dr. Steven Belle, University of Pittsburgh, presented the characteristics of LABS participants prior to surgery. Some of the findings:

  2. Asthma is more common among women than men prior to weight loss surgery.

  3. Men have more medical conditions than women prior to weight loss surgery.

  4. Compared to women, men are typically older, heavier and have more medical issues at time of surgery, indicating that men appear to wait longer than women before undergoing bariatric surgery.

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