Six-Month Quality of Life and Health Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study From Latvia

This prospective cohort study from Latvia evaluated the short-term outcomes of bariatric surgery in 17 adults, predominantly female, with a median age of 54 years. Six months post-surgery, participants experienced significant improvements in quality of life (QoL) and health parameters, including a reduction in BMI from 39.7 to 31.6 kg/m², a 23.3% decrease in total weight, and a 60.7% reduction in excess weight. The Bariatric Quality of Life (BQL) score increased, indicating enhanced QoL. Obesity-related conditions like hypertension and sleep apnea decreased, although hair loss was a common postoperative adverse effect. The study's findings are exploratory due to the small sample size and single-center design, suggesting the need for larger studies with longer follow-up to better understand long-term outcomes.