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

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Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in patients lost to follow‐up. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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