Longitudinal Changes in Spinopelvic Alignment and Sagittal Balance After Bariatric Surgery in Patients With Morbid Obesity: A Prospective Observational Study

The goal of this prospective observational study is to understand how major weight loss after bariatric surgery may be associated with changes in the way the spine and pelvis are aligned in adults with morbid obesity. The spine and pelvis work together to support the body and help maintain balance during standing and walking. In people with severe obesity, increased body weight and changes in body shape may affect posture, the position of the pelvis, the curves of the spine, and the way the upper body is balanced over the pelvis. Bariatric surgery can result in substantial weight loss, but it is not yet fully understood how these changes in body weight may affect the relationship between the spine and pelvis over time. This study will follow patients undergoing bariatric surgery and will evaluate them before surgery and again at approximately 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The study is observational. This means that the researchers will observe, measure, and record changes occurring during the patients' clinical course rather than assigning participants to a specific treatment for the purpose of this study. The main question of the study is whether spinopelvic alignment and overall body balance change during the first year after bariatric surgery as patients lose weight. "Spinopelvic alignment" refers to the relationship between the spine and the pelvis. The pelvis forms the base on which the spine is positioned, and changes in pelvic position can be related to changes in the curves and orientation of the spine. "Sagittal balance" refers to how the head, trunk, spine, and pelvis are balanced from front to back when the body is viewed from the side. Researchers will evaluate measurements describing the position and orientation of the pelvis, the curvature and alignment of the spine, and the relationship between the spine and pelvis. Measurements obtained before bariatric surgery will be compared with those obtained at approximately 3, 6, and 12 months after