The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 188, Issue 6 , Pages 659-662, December 2004

The Lap-Band is an effective tool for weight loss even in the United States

Presented at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Surgical Congress, Monterey, California, April 18–21, 2004

  • Jeffrey A. Holloway, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, Regional West Medical Center, 2 West 42nd Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69261, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1-308-635-1488; fax: +1-308-632-4191.
    • ,
  • Glen A. Forney, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, Regional West Medical Center, 2 West 42nd Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69261, USA
    • ,
  • Dorothy E. Gould, R.N.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, Regional West Medical Center, 2 West 42nd Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69261, USA

Received 20 July 2004; received in revised form 7 August 2004

Abstract 

Background

Despite impressive results with the Lap-Band in Europe and Australia, the early Food and Drug Administration A trial in the United States showed fairly poor results. This prospective study attempts to determine if the Lap-Band can produce effective weight loss in morbidly obese Americans.

Methods

Five hundred four consecutive patients have undergone placement of the Lap-Band (Inamed). Four hundred fourteen patients were women (82%) and 90 were men (18%). The median preoperative weight was 138 kg, and the preoperative median body mass was 49 kg/m2.

Results

Five hundred two bands were placed laparoscopically. One was converted to an open procedure because of lack of exposure, and one was placed open because of multiple previous abdominal surgeries. Median operating time was 50 minutes, and median length of stay was 1.8 days. Percent excess weight loss at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months for all patients was 36%, 50%, 61%, and 65%, respectively. Complications occurred in 96 patients (19%) primarily consisting of port tubing separations, slips, postoperative dysphagia, and port infections. There was one (.2%) mortality.

Conclusions

The Lap-Band system is an effective tool for weight loss surgery in morbidly obese patients in the United States.

Keywords:  Lap-Band , Bariatric surgery , Morbid obesity , Weight loss , Laparoscopy

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PII: S0002-9610(04)00424-6

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2004.08.059

The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 188, Issue 6 , Pages 659-662, December 2004

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