title: Weight loss and improvement of obesity-related illness in 500 U.S. patients following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity and its related illness is a primary health concern today.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred morbidly obese patients (mean age 42 years; mean preoperative weight 123 kg) underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery in a private U.S. hospital setting within a comprehensive multidisciplinary bariatric program. Patients were followed up to 36 months. Comorbidity status was assessed for 163 patients who completed > or =18 months' follow-up by comparing medications (type and dosage) prescribed for each comorbid condition before surgery and at follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 36 months after surgery, mean body mass index (BMI) had decreased from 45.2 to 34.9 kg/m(2) and mean percent excess weight loss (%EWL) was 47%. Complications were as follows: gastric pouch dilatation (6.8%), slippage (2.8%), and stoma obstruction (0.6%). There was no mortality. Resolution or improvement of comorbidities were as follows: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (87%; usually immediately postsurgery), asthma (81.8%), diabetes (66%), dyslipidemia (65.5%), hypertension (48%), and sleep apnea (33%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastric banding provides good weight loss and significant reduction in comorbidities with few and minor complications.
authors.affiliation: Park Plaza Hospital Professional Bldg., 1200 Binz, Ste. 1470, Houston, TX 77004, USA. hspivak@houston.rr.com
authors.forename: Hadar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spivak
authors.forename: Mary F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Onn
authors.forename: Elizabeth E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Half
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss