Improvement in co-morbidities following weight loss by vertical banded gastroplasty in super obese individuals

Vertical banded gastroplasty [VBG] is a safe, and effective operation to treat obesity. The amount of excess weight that must be lost to improve the co-morbidities in the super obese patients remain unknown. Eighteen super obese patients [BMI > 50 kg /m[2]] underwent VBG and were followed up for I-2 years to evaluate the improvement in the pre-existing co-morbidities. The mean BMI decreased from 62.2 +/- 7.1 to 39.7 +/- 6.1. The weight loss was associated with resolution of 76% of co- morbidities and improvement of 21%, while 3% remained unchanged. VBG was associated with resolution or improvement of a significant number of co-morbidities associated with super obesity