Long-term results of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in patients lost to follow-up.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in patients lost to follow-up. Patients lost to follow-up were identified from a consecutive cohort of 495 patients who underwent LAGB between November 1995 and September 2006. These patients were asked to return to follow-up and their actual weight was assessed. Of 93 patients lost to follow-up, 73 were motivated to reattend. Of these, 60 per cent (44 patients) had lost less than 25 per cent of excess weight, compared with 16.3 per cent (P < 0.001), 27.0 per cent (P < 0.001) and 42 per cent (P = 0.026) of patients after 2, 4 and 8 years of regular follow-up. Patients lost to follow-up are more likely to have poor weight loss, emphasizing the importance of follow-up after LAGB. Outcome after surgery for morbid obesity should include patients lost to follow-up as a measure of overall success.