Facts about Gastric Banding:

A Finnish study found that “The failure rates increased from about 15% during years 1 to 3 to nearly 40% during years 8 and 9. The success rate declined from nearly 60% at 3 years to 35% at 8 and 9 years.” [P. Tolonen, M. Victorzon, J. Makela, 11-year experience with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity--what happened to the first 123 patients?, Obesity Surgery, 2008]

A study published this year in Archives of Surgery reassessed about 80 people who had gastric bands inserted between 1994 and 1997. They reported that “because nearly 1 out of 3 patients experienced band erosion, and nearly 50% of the patients required removal of their bands (contributing to a re-operation rate of 60%), [banding] appears to result in relatively poor long-term outcomes.” [J. Himpens, et al, Long-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, Archives of Surgery, 2011]

Dr. David Urbach of Toronto Western Hospital told CTV News he has treated patients who were “left in severe pain when their bands caused their stomachs to twist.” In other cases, the band’s plastic material had eroded into the stomach. In others, they slip because of vomiting or overeating, so the pouch size and shape changes, causing problems. [Study cites high Lap-Band complication, removal rates, edmonton.ctv.ca/.../lap-band-surgery-110329]

In the article, Limitations of Adjustable Gastric Banding Obesity Treatment [Eating Disorders by suite101], it is brought out that:
• A Dutch research study of 201 patients who had the procedure between 1995 -2003 concluded that adjustable gastric banding not only results in modest weight loss, but the benefit of the procedure deteriorates over time. [Aarts E et al. Disappointing results in the long run after gastric banding, ASMBS 2010; Abstract PL-118.]
• Eating Disorders Review highlights that 80% of adjustable gastric banding patients retained weight loss during the first three years then decreased to 64% at five years and just 20% at ten years following surgery. In addition, significant deterioration of diabetes control and hypertension became evident over time. [UPDATE: Benefits of Adjustable Gastric Banding May Fade with Time, Eating Disorders Review, Sept/Oct 2010 Vol 21, Number 5]

The study referenced concluded that 5 years after surgery, about 75% of patients maintained a 25% excess weight loss. At 10 years, the success rate dropped to less than 33%. Using excess weight loss of 25% or more to define treatment success, the Dutch surgeons found that about 80% of the patients retained weight loss during the first 3 years; after this there was a steady decline to 64% of patients at 5 years, and 20% at 10 years. Control of diabetes, hypertension, and gastro esophageal reflux all deteriorated significantly over time. The incidence of new-onset diabetes and hypertension increased during follow-up, as did the proportion of patients requiring acid-suppression therapy.

The results of Reasons and outcomes of laparoscopic revisional surgery after laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity, a 2011 study of procedures performed from February 2001 to October 2008, showed:
• Of 343 patients who had undergone primary LAGB, 60 subsequently underwent a revisional procedure, including 39 (44.3%) band removals
The study concludes that:
“Although reversible and efficacious, LAGB [laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding] appears to have a high incidence of complications requiring revisional surgery and/or band removal.” [S. Patel, et al, Reasons and outcomes of laparoscopic revisional surgery after laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity, Surgery for obesity and related diseases, 2011]