Objective: There are few studies of quality of life outcomes after laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass in the current literature. Of the published data, only a small number measure outcomes beyond 1 year, and many are cross sectional studies. In this longitudinal study, pre-operative and post-operative quality of life was measured in a total of 113 patients. Methods: Since 1999 all new patients seen in the bariatric surgery program at the Medical College of Wisconsin have filled out an SF-36 health questionnaire at their initial consultation. Patients are routinely re-surveyed at their post-operative visits. Collected data was reviewed and 113 patients were identified who had filled out an SF-36 at their initial consult and again 3-7 years post-operatively. All patients underwent a laparoscopic, retrocolic roux-en-y gastric bypass with a hand sewn gastro-jejunal anastomosis. Results shown as mean±SD, and SF-36 results were analyzed with the Quality Metric Health Outcomes scoring software and a paired, two-tailed t-test.Results: 113 patients (101 F, 12 M) with an age of 44±9 at time of surgery were surveyed from Jan 2000 through Sept 2008. Length of follow up was 51±13 months. Initial BMI 48.4±6, BMI at follow up 33.5±7. Analysis of pre-operative versus post operative SF-36 scores show significant (p<.001) improvements in all 8 measured scales. Data is presented as scored against norms from the general 1998 US population, on a scale with a mean of 50±10. Physical functioning=34.0±10.3 vs 49.1±10.1, Role physical= 38.2±10.8 vs 49.5±10.9, Bodily pain=39.1±9.0 vs 47.9±12.6, General health=37.2±10.9 vs 51.2±9.9, Vitality=38.1±9.3 vs 49.3±11.4, Social Functioning=37.8±12.5 vs 47.6±12.2, Role emotional=43.4±13.3 vs 49.5±10.8, Mental health=43.4±11.0 vs 48.3±10.7. Comparison of the physical and mental component summaries shows that while both physical and mental components improve post operatively, gains are greater in the physical component (PCS= 34.9±9.6 vs 49.5±10.7, MCS= 44.3±11.9 vs 48.6±11.0).Conclusion: Quality of life is significantly improved in a sustained manner after gastric bypass. The degree of improvement, however, does not appear to be related to amount of weight lost. The physical component, which was greater than one standard deviation below the norm in pre-operative patients, was improved to near the mean post-operatively, while mental component scores showed significant but lesser gains.