This article describes gastric banding results from one of the busiest weight loss surgery centres in the USA over a follow-up period of 6 years. The band system utilised was Lap Band ® which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration of America in 2001.

In this series, 2909 patients undergoing gastric band surgery were followed for up to 6 years after surgery to examine medium and long term outcomes.
The average BMI of patients before the surgery was 45.3 kg/m2.

Complications over the period of follow-up were just below 10%, primarily band slippage and port-related maintenance issues.

Average percentage of excess weight lost was 53% and this was best seen at the three year mark post-operatively.

2.3% of patients had their bands removed over this time.

Graph of BMI loss over time since Lap Band ® system insertion.

Interestingly, success from weight loss was found to correlate with the number of office visits post-operatively. Hence the importance of maintaining regular contact with the treating team for long term success

This study provides some of the best available evidence that gastric banding surgery can provide excellent sustained weight loss for appropriate candidates and is relatively safe from major complications.