title: [Long term effects o gastric banding for weight reduction].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is defined as body weight exceeding normal weight by 30%, or a body mass index (BMI) > 30. Various surgical procedures have been introduced to treat obesity. Gastric banding is a variant of the gastroplastic method. Our aim was to study the long term effect of this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over the years 1982 to 1988, gastric banding was performed at the county hospital of Haugesund in 26 patients with a mean age of 35.7 years and a mean preoperative BMI of 41.2. Data were obtained from patient files and from questionnaires returned by 24 patients, on average 14 years after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean BMI for 16 patients with an intact banding device at follow-up was 35.2. Mean weight reduction was 15 kilograms. 58% of the patients regretted the procedure. Only a few were completely satisfied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long term results of gastric banding are not satisfactory.
authors.affiliation: Kirurgisk avdeling Fylkessjukehuset, Haugesund.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Valen
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Munk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss