Gastric Banding Is Effective Treatment For Mild To Moderate Obesity
04 May 2006
Eighty moderately obese patients were randomly assigned to laparoscopic gastric banding or to a nonsurgical program involving very low-calorie diets, weight loss drugs, and counseling (Article, p. 625). At six months, both groups lost 13.8 percent of initial weight; at 24 months, patients who had gastric banding lost an average of 21.6 percent of initial body weight compared to 5.5 percent in the nonsurgical group.
Australian authors, with ties to the company that makes the adjustable gastric bands, note that the surgeons in the study had performed several hundred of the procedures and were experienced in providing follow-up and adjustment.
Accompanying editorialists say that the surgery was performed on mild to moderately obese people for whom current recommendations for weight loss do not include surgery (Editorial, p. 689.) They hope that the study findings "will not cause primary care providers or their patients to overlook the positive health benefits of a five percent to 10 percent weight loss [that can be] achieved with lifestyle modification."
###
Annals of Internal Medicine, May 2006 Highlights
NOTE: Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians. These highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information.
Contact: Susan Anderson
American College of Physicians
Article 
Linear Mode
