Gastric banding in the treatment of morbid obesity.

Gastric banding was carried out in 30 patients as a treatment for morbid obesity. The mean excess weight lost at 3 months was 32.6 per cent (27 patients) and 69.7 per cent at 2 years (eight patients). Fifteen patients required 22 reoperations for technical complications. Two patients underwent removal of the band and seven patients were converted to a stapled vertical Silastic ring gastroplasty. Although gastric banding appears to be a satisfactory method of achieving weight loss, the complication and reoperation rates are unacceptable in our hands. It is recommended that this operation should no longer be used as a treatment for morbid obesity.