Surgical weight loss more effective

Lap-band surgery is more effective in reducing weight and improving the health and quality of life than non-surgical weight loss programs, a study by Monash University researchers has found.

The study, to be published in today’s issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, found surgical patients lost an average 20.5 kg, or 87.2 per cent of excess weight, while the non-surgical group lost an average 5.3 kg, or 21.8 per cent of their excess weight.The study also found that patients who had undergone surgery were less likely to suffer metabolic syndrome, a condition where insulin levels are too high, putting people at greater risk of problems such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.Thirty-eight per cent of all study participants had metabolic syndrome when the study started. But by its end, three per cent of surgery patients and 24 per cent of non-surgery patients had the condition.The study assessed the weight loss and health implications of 80 mild to moderately obese adults (with a body mass index of 30 to 35) after non-surgical weight loss programs or bariatric (weight-loss) surgery.Professor Paul O’Brien, Director of the Centre for Obesity Research and Education at Monash, said the study was the first rigorous, randomised controlled study measuring Lap-band surgery against traditional methods of weight loss. He said the study focused on mild to moderately obese people, who normally would not receive surgery.”Currently, the generally accepted practice is to perform bariatric surgery only on the severely and morbidly obese,” he said. “But these results suggest that physicians should re-examine the guidelines for bariatric surgery to determine if they should be expanded to include mild to moderately obese patients.”The non-surgical program was overseen by specialist physicians and included increased exercise, a low calorie diet and professional support.The surgical group was treated with a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (Lap-band), which involved placing an inflatable band around the upper part of the patient’s stomach to reduce feelings of hunger.The study found that weight loss was equal for both groups after six months, but that those on traditional weight loss programs regained weight while surgical patients continued to lose weight.(Source: Monash University: May 2006.)