title: Initial experience with Swedish adjustable gastric band at Saad Specialist Hospital, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to give an initial account of the weight loss and complications after applying the Swedish adjustable gastric band (SAGB) at Saad Specialist Hospital, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2001 to December 2004, 140 consecutive patients (62% female) underwent SAGB. Mean initial body weight was 124.5 +/- 23.9 SD kg and BMI was 45 kg/m2 +/- 6.3 SD. Mean age was 37.9 (17-53). The pars flaccida technique was used for placement of the band.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mortality and conversion rates were 0. We had no intraoperative or short-term postoperative complications. Mean operating time was 122 minutes (range 78-192), and hospital stay was 5 days. Followup ranged from 1 to 30 months. Mean weight loss was 52 kg at 12 months and 75 kg at 30 months. Mean BMI fell to 29 kg/m2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With its safety and effectiveness, SAGB has been a good choice for the treatment of morbidly obese patients in our early experience.
authors.affiliation: The Bariatric Surgery Center, Saad Specialist Hospital, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. AAlmomen@saad.com.sa
authors.forename: Abdulhameed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Momen
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: El-Mogy
authors.forename: Afifi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015905:Gastric Balloon; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss