Failure of adjustable gastric banding: starting BMI of 46 kg/m2 is a fulcrum of success and failure.
BACKGROUND
To determine the body mass index (BMI) located at the fulcrum of success and failure in a prospective study conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. On average, our patients whose percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was >50% at 1 year had a significantly lower BMI than those with <30% EWL.


METHODS
We prospectively collected the weight loss data for 430 patients who had had an adjustable gastric band placed. We stratified the %EWL within 1 year for patients with a BMI of 30-59 kg/m2. A line was generated for the %EWL over time for BMI groups of 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 kg/m(2) and compared with the average %EWL over time. The y-intercepts of the resulting four lines were graphed against the average BMI for each group.


RESULTS
The generated y-intercept line had an R2 of .9237. Using the equation of this line and the known y-intercept for the average, we solved for x, resulting in a BMI of 46 kg/m2. Patients with a BMI <46 kg/m2 had a 50% EWL at 1 year, and those with a BMI >46 kg/m2 had only a 33% EWL at 1 year. The %EWL between the groups was significantly different at all measured intervals (P <.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
A BMI of 46 kg/m2 identifies those at high risk of failure to lose a significant percentage of excess weight after adjustable gastric banding and who require closer follow-up. Furthermore, patients who have a BMI >46 kg/m2 should be advised that their weight loss might be suboptimal at 1 year.
Snyder
Brad
B
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
Scarborough
Terry
T
Yu
Sherman
S
Wilson
Erik
E
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D017211:Treatment Failure; D015431:Weight Loss