Let’s expand on these further.

Almost all surgery for obesity is now performed laparoscopically through several small incisions making it minimally invasive. However, the LAGB has shown to impart a shorter hospital stay and shorter operative time than other minimally invasive weight loss procedures [1].

Procedures can be divided into restrictive and malabsorptive. The benefit of LAGB is that it does not require diversion of the gastrointestinal tract like laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or removal of a portion of the stomach like laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Furthermore, the LAGB is considered a purely restrictive procedure in which patients are less likely to have malabsorption [2].

The LAGB is unique in that the band has an inflatable balloon attached to a subcutaneous port. This allows for outpatient adjustments in band volume without having to hospitalize the patient. In this way, patient weight loss can be tailored [3].

Like other weight loss procedures, patients will have an improvement in obesity-related comorbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Approximately two-thirds of patients with diabetes can achieve better glucose control or complete resolution of diabetes after LAGB. One study showed improvement in hypertension in up to 80 % of their subjects, with 55 % no longer requiring any antihypertensive medications. Furthermore, the LAGB has had a positive impact on illnesses like obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and asthma [4].

There are various criteria that need to be met prior to undertaking bariatric surgery. The majority of procedures today are only performed in adults who have a BMI > 35 with comorbid conditions or those with BMI > 40. Furthermore, this procedure is being performed in obese adolescents and has shown positive results similar to adult studies [5, 6].

In post-gastric band, patients are required to have a lifelong follow-up with their surgeon and a close follow-up with a dietitian. Lifestyle and diet modifications are integral parts of success with LAGB and maintenance of weight loss [3].

Patients can achieve between 34.7 and 53.3 % of EBW in 1 year. However, multiple studies have shown non-LAGB procedures such as gastric sleeve and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to have superior weight loss [1].