Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: weight loss, co-morbidities, medication usage and quality of life at one year.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine the weight loss, changes in co-morbidities, medication usage and general health status at 1 year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).


METHODS
Prospective data were obtained from all subjects undergoing LAGB. These measurements included a medical history and review of systems, medications, height and weight and the SF-36 general health survey. Patients were seen for band adjustments as needed throughout the year. At the 1-year follow-up visit, patients were weighed and interviewed about the status of their health conditions and their current medications, and the SF-36 was repeated.


RESULTS
Between November 2002 and November 2003, 195 patients had LAGB. The majority of subjects were female (82.8%), married (65.1%), and white (94.9%). Complications occurred in 18 subjects (9.2%). These included 3 slipped bands (1.5%), 4 port problems (2.1%), 8 patients with temporary stoma occlusion (4.1%), 1 explantation (0.5%), and 1 mortality (0.5%). Mean BMI decreased from 45.8 kg/m2 (+/- 7.7) to 32.3 kg/m2 (+/- 7.0). Mean percent excess body weight lost was 45.7% (+/- 17.1) during the first year. Major improvements occurred in arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, joint and back pain, sleep apnea and stress incontinence. Medication usage declined remarkably. Quality of life (QoL) by the SF-36 showed highly significant improvements.


CONCLUSIONS
At 1 year after LAGB, patients had experienced significant weight loss, resolution of comorbidities, decreases in medication usage, and improvements in QoL.
Ahroni
Jessie H
JH
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Jessie@NWWLS.com
Montgomery
Kevin F
KF
Watkins
Brad M
BM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss