Weight loss and improvement of obesity-related illness in 500 U.S. patients following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure.
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.
Spivak
Hadar
H
Park Plaza Hospital Professional Bldg., 1200 Binz, Ste. 1470, Houston, TX 77004, USA. hspivak@houston.rr.com
Hewitt
Mary F
MF
Onn
Amir
A
Half
Elizabeth E
EE
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