title: Adjustable gastric banding: advantages and disadvantages.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adjustable gastric banding has many advantages in the treatment of severe obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report their experience with open and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in the treatment of severe obesity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This procedure presents some risks and complications, which are described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients must be well informed about the procedure and accept a strict behavioral therapeutic pattern. Follow-up requires strict surveillance. When the band necessitates increase of pressure, follow-up must be very close in order to avoid a complication that may invalidate this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Policlinico di Careggi, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucchese
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alessio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valeri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cantelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Venneri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Borrelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*