ABSTRACT
To present our experience of laparoscopic gastric banding [LAGB] for morbid obesity in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia Retrospective reviews of patients undergoing surgery for morbid obesity. King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia One-hundred and eighty two [182] patients from January 2000 to December 2006 were included in the study. Laproscopic gastric banding Preoperative age, sex, body mass index [BMI], co-morbidities, operative variables and postoperative hospital stay and complications were recorded. The postoperative weight loss was recorded at three monthly intervals. The mean age was 30.3 years [range 18 - 51 years] and the mean BMI was 52.6 kg per square meter [range 41 - 61.5 kg per square meter]. There were two conversions to open procedure because of dense adhesions from previous surgeries. The mean operative time was 2.7 hours [range 1.25 - 3.5 hours]. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.7 days [range 2 - 12 days]. There was no mortality. Three patients had band removal after one year postoperatively. The mean follow up period was 11 months [range 3 - 40 months]. The mean BMI decreased to 50.2, 45.4, 41.2 and 37.7 kg per square meter at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively, with an average excess weight loss reduction of 43.5% after one year. Conclusions: Laproscopic gastric banding is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity in Saudi patients