To observe early postoperative changes in body composition in patients receiving laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and to explore the relationship between body composition and glycolipid metabolism, so as to provide stage-specific information for doctors in the weight loss team on metabolic surgery effect assessment and postoperative follow-up and guidance.

The study was a retrospective cohort study. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 44 patients who underwent LSG in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from December 1, 2017 to May 30, 2021 were included. Body composition was measured using bio-electrical impedance analysis at baseline and after surgery.

The patients' body composition changed significantly at 1 month and 3 months after surgery, and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators improved significantly. Body composition indicators, including body mass index (BMI), the amount of moisture in the body, inorganic salts, body fat, skeletal muscle mass, fat free mass, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip fat ratio, visceral fat, basal metabolic rate and bone mineral content, decreased significantly within 3 months after surgery (P<0.05). The ratio of upper and lower limb muscle to body weight (U/W, L/W) increased significantly after surgery (P<0.05). The ratio of trunk muscle to body weight (T/W) decreased within 3 months after surgery (P<0.05). Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses showed that skeletal muscle mass and U/W were positively correlated with triglyceride (r=0.637 and 0.304, respectively, both P<0.05) in 3 months after operation. L/W was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r=0.454, P<0.05). T/W was negatively correlated with triglyceride (r=-0.643, P<0.05).

Patients undergoing LSG displayed significant changes in body composition in the early postoperative period. Changes in muscle mass of different body parts varies and showed different effects on glucose and lipid metabolism parameters. The trunk muscle mass is negatively correlated with glucose and lipid metabolism indicators, while limb muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass are positively. It is suggested that the changes of body composition in different parts should be observed when evaluating patient outcomes after LSG and the trunk body mass should be preserved as far as possible.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; Body composition; Muscle mass; Glucolipid metabolism