Gastric Banding Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Gastric Banding, including details on laparoscopic gastric banding, stomach stapling, gastric bypass, risks, diet.

Do support groups play a role in weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding?

Elakkary E, Elhorr A, Aziz F, Gazayerli MM, Silva YJ

Department of General Surgery, North Oakland Medical Centers, Pontiac, MI 48341, USA. ehabakkary@yahoo.com

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention represents the only treatment with long-term efficacy for morbid obesity. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a minimally invasive operation that is increasing in popularity. We hypothesized that attending support groups is beneficial to achieve optimal weight loss after LAGB. METHODS: 38 patients who underwent LAGB between Dec 2002 and Aug 2003 were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups; A included 28 patients who did not attend the support groups (surgery without support groups), and B included 10 patients who attended the support groups (surgery with support groups). Weight loss between the 2 groups was compared over a 1-year period. RESULTS: Patients who attended support groups achieved more weight loss (mean decrease in BMI = 9.7 +/- 1.9) than patients who did not attend support groups (mean decrease in BMI = 8.1 +/- 2.1), P = 0.0437 (unpaired t-test). CONCLUSION: Support groups appear to be an important adjunct for patients who undergo LAGB, to achieve and maintain improved weight loss.

Published 20 March 2006 in Obes Surg, 16(3): 331-4.
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