WASHINGTON — Successful weight loss for patients who undergo gastric banding is significantly associated with the number of follow-up visits to a surgeon's office during the first year after the procedure, according to a study involving 113 adults who had gastric banding surgery between 2005 and 2007.
Gastric band surgery can be a safe and effective strategy for weight loss, but studies have shown that the percentage of excess weight lost after the procedure ranges from −8.5% to 79% after 1 year, said Dr. Julio Teixeira of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in New York.
To identify predictors of weight loss 1 year after gastric band surgery, researchers reviewed baseline demographics, body mass index, comorbidities, number of office visits, and gastric band adjustments for up to 15 months after the procedure. The single-center findings were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the Obesity Society.
The patients ranged in age from 22 to 71 years, with an average age of 41 years. The patients' body mass indexes ranged from 36 kg/m
After 1 year, the average total weight loss was 16 kg, and the percentage of weight lost was 24%. Participants had an average of six follow-up visits to a surgeon's office during the first year after the procedure. There was a significant correlation between the number of follow-up visits and both the amount of weight lost and the percentage of excess weight lost.
The number of adjustments to the band during the first year was not predictive of weight loss, according to the researchers. Patient age also had no apparent effect on weight loss, nor did comorbidities including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and asthma.
“Prospective trials are needed to define strategies to improve weight loss outcomes after gastric banding,” the investigators concluded.
Dr. Teixeira has served as an adviser to Allergan, which manufactures an adjustable gastric banding system.