Beta-blocker use doesn't adversely impact weight loss after bariatric surgery

In a research published in the Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, researchers concluded that after bariatric surgery, beta-blockers (BBs) usage does not impact weight loss.

Patients taking beta-blockers experience weight gain. There needs to be more data on how beta blockers impact weight loss following bariatric surgery. Investigating further, in this study, researchers examined how BBs impact 12-month weight loss in those undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

They reviewed the health records of SG and RYGB patients. These patients were categorized based on BB usage (none, pre-, post-, or pre-and postoperative). Multivariate linear regression models analyzed the association between the use of beta blockers, the percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL), and the percentage of excess body mass index lost (%EBMIL).

Key findings from this study are:

• Eight hundred eighty-nine individuals, including 485 of SG and 404 of RYGB, had complete data.
• RYGB led to a greater %TBWL compared to SG (31% versus 26%) and a greater %EBMIL (79% versus 64%).
• Beta-blocker status did not affect 12-month %TBWL or %EBMIL significantly.

Twelve months following bariatric surgery, beta-blockers may not significantly affect weight loss. The findings from this study could enable physicians to prescribe Beta blockers for better blood pressure control with less concern about blunting weight loss. More research with a larger group of patients and extended follow-up is needed to understand this relationship more.

Reference:

Switalla, Kayla, et al. "Effect of Beta-blocker Therapy On Weight Loss Outcomes After Sleeve Gastrectomy & Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass." Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases: Official Journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, 2023.