title: Life with a Gastric Band. Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding-a Retrospective Study.
abstract: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the third most popular bariatric procedure worldwide. Various authors present ambivalent long-term follow up results.
  
  
  
  We revised records of the patients who underwent LAGB between 2003 and 2006 along with history of additional check-ins. Patients with outdated details were tracked with the national health insurance database and social media (Facebook). An online survey was sent. The patients who did not have their band removed were included in this study. We calculated the percent total weight loss (%TWL) and percent excess weight loss (%EWL), along with changes in body mass index (ΔBMI). Satisfactory weight loss was set at >50% EWL (for BMI = 25 kg/m2). Since eight patients gained weight, we decided to include negative values of %TWL, %EWL, and ΔBMI.
  
  
  
  One hundred seven patients underwent LAGB from 2003 to 2006. The mean follow-up time was 11.2 (±1.2) years. Eleven percent of patients were lost to follow up (n = 12). There was one perioperative death. Fifty-four of the patients (n = 57) had their band removed. Thirty-seven patients still have the band (39%) and were included in the study. The mean %EWL was 27% (-56-112%) and %TWL was 11% (-19-53%). Twelve patients achieved %EWL > 50% (32%). Thiry-two patients still suffer from obesity, with BMI over 30 kg/m2. Eight patients (22%) gained additional weight. Patients with %EWL > 50% suffered less from gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms than those with EWL < 50% (p < 0.05).
  
  
  
  Out of 107 cases, only 11.2% of patients with gastric band (n = 12) achieved satisfactory %EWL. Twenty-two percent of patients regained their weight or even exceeded it. Overall results suggest that LAGB is not an effective bariatric procedure in long term observation.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland. pietia.kowalewski@gmail.com.
authors: Piotr K
authors: PK
authors: Kowalewski
authors: Department of Cardiology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Olszewski
authors: Department of General Surgery, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Andrzej
authors: A
authors: Kwiatkowski
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Regional Hospital, Łęczna, Poland.
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Gałązka-Świderek
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Regional Hospital, Łęczna, Poland.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Cichoń
authors: Department of General Surgery, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Paśnik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bariatric surgery; Gastric band; LAGB; Laparoscopy; Long term follow-up