Effect of Weight Loss on Postural Changes in Pulmonary Function : a Longitudinal Study in Morbidly Obese to Obese Subjects Following Gastroplasty

Postural changes are known to affect normal lung volumes. A reduction in sitting to supine functional residual capacity (FRC) is well-described in non-obese subjects adopting a supine position. However, postural changes in lung volumes in the obese require further exploration. We aimed to longitudinally address the effects of weight loss on postural changes in lung volumes and pulmonary function, in obesity. We tested the hypothesis that supine reduction in FRC would be absent in morbid obesity and recovered upon weight loss.