Long-Term Results and Complications Following Adjustable Gastric Banding

This study was performed to assess our long-term results with laparoscopic gastric banding in patients with an observation period of at least 9 years calculated from the date of operation. Between January 1996 and December 2000, a total of 276 patients (83% female) underwent laparoscopic gastric banding at our institution. Mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 44 ± 6 kg/m2. BMI after 1, 5, 7, 9, and 10 years was 33 ± 6, 30 ± 6, 31 ± 6, 32 ± 7, and 31 ± 7 kg/m2, respectively. Mean excess weight loss after 1 year was 57.1 ± 23.0% and after 5, 7, 9, and 10 years 73.2 ± 29.6%, 65.9 ± 29.3%, 61.8 ± 32.8%, and 64.0 ± 32.1%, respectively. Median completeness of follow-up was 80%. Of the study population, 146 (52.9%) patients had at least one complication requiring reoperation. Presently, only 148 (53.6%) patients still have their original band, 49 (17.8%) had their original band replaced with a new one, and 79 (28.6%) had their band removed. Thirty-three patients had no second bariatric operation, a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was done in 39 patients, and six patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Our long-term results are good with regard to weight loss in those patients who still have their band in situ. This is accompanied by a high complication rate and a 29% band loss rate.