title: Laparoscopic gastric banding: safe and modestly successful.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is an increasing problem in Australia. It is defined as a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2). It is associated with a number of significant medical conditions, as well as psychological morbidity related to poor body image and the social stigma of obesity. Conservative management is rarely successful in patients with morbid obesity and bariatric surgery is an alternative more likely to produce sustained results.
  
  
  METHODS
  To compare the initial results of the Lap-Band (Inamed Health, Santa Barbara, CA, USA) procedure when performed by experienced general laparoscopic surgeons, new to the procedure and those achieved by dedicated bariatric practitioners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the present study showed forty-seven per cent excess weight lost at 2 years, 49% excess BMI lost at 2 years. Reoperation rate for band removal, prolapse/slippage was 25.3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acceptable results with Lap-Band are technically achievable by experienced laparoscopic surgeons with a low morbidity and mortality. The results of the present study are inferior to those reported by dedicated bariatric practices who have performed large numbers of this operation. The rate of band slippage was unacceptably high and there was a significant problem with patients being lost to follow up. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Eliza Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tweddle
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blamey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss