Who Does Gastric Band Surgery Work Best for in the Long Term
A study published in Obesity Surgery looked at which patients were most likely to achieve meaningful weight loss ten years after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, also called gastric band surgery or LAGB, where an adjustable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to limit how much food it can hold. It found that older age and higher body weight before surgery were the strongest predictors of a good long term outcome.
Who Was Studied and for How Long
Researchers reviewed records from 351 people who had gastric band surgery at a single academic institution in the United States between 2006 and 2013. Around 80% of participants were female, and the median age was 45 years. The team tracked outcomes over ten years, contacting patients directly to gather follow up data.
What the Study Found
At the ten year mark, about 1 in 3 people, or 34%, achieved at least 20% total body weight loss, which the researchers defined as a successful outcome. Being aged 55 or older and having a higher body weight before surgery were both linked to better long term results. The research also noted that having diabetes or high cholesterol before surgery was associated with greater weight loss, which the authors described as a new finding. Separately, 36% of patients had their band removed within ten years.
What This Research Does and Does Not Tell Us
Because this was a single centre study in the United States, its findings may not reflect outcomes across all patients or settings. Results from gastric band surgery vary from person to person, and this research does not tell us how outcomes compare with other types of weight loss surgery available today.
About this research: Predictors of Successful Long Term Weight Loss Following Gastric Band Procedures, Obesity Surgery, 2026. Read the study summary
More about gastric band surgery is on our lap band page. If you are considering your options, call us on (03) 9760 2777 or request an appointment through our website.