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Pre-Surgery PFAS Exposure Predicts Teen Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery

This first long-term teen study links specific sulfonic-acid PFAS to greater weight and waist circumference rebound, suggesting preoperative screening could guide personalized postoperative care.

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Overview

  • Researchers analyzed data from 186 adolescents in the NIH-funded Teen-LABS study who underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012, measuring seven PFAS species in blood before surgery and tracking outcomes over five years.
  • Higher preoperative levels of three sulfonic-acid PFAS—PFOS, PFHxS and PFHpS—were linked to significantly greater weight and waist circumference regain one to five years after surgery.
  • Teens in the highest PFOS exposure group regained an average of 46.9 pounds by year five, compared with 35.9 pounds among those in the lowest exposure group.
  • The observational study cannot establish causation, but PFAS’ endocrine-disrupting properties offer a plausible mechanism for its impact on long-term weight outcomes.
  • Authors recommend incorporating PFAS burden into preoperative risk stratification and postoperative follow-up, noting that the results support stricter PFAS limits in drinking water.