Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding induces prolonged satiety: a randomized blind crossover study

The sustainability of surgically induced weight loss implies that energy homeostasis is favorably altered. We investigated the hypothesis that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) induces prolonged satiety and that plasma ghrelin is involved. Seventeen weight-stable subjects who had achieved LAGB-induced weight loss attended blind crossover breakfast tests, one with optimal band restriction and one with reduced restriction. Standardized meals were consumed (0900 h) after 14-h fasting. Satiety visual analog scales were completed hourly (0700-1100 h) before and after feeding. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, ghrelin, and leptin levels were measured. Seventeen body mass index-matched controls were tested. Optimal restriction was associated with significantly greater fasting and postprandial satiety levels than reduced restriction (P < 0.01). Glucose, insulin, ghrelin, and leptin levels did not alter between optimal and reduced restriction. LAGB subjects displayed higher ghrelin (+12%, P = 0.13) and lower glucose (-17%, P = 0.018), insulin (-33%, P = 0.016), and leptin (-32%, P = 0.05) 4-h area under the curve levels than controls. Optimal LAGB restriction increased fasting and postprandial satiety levels. This supports the hypothesis that LAGB provides prolonged satiety, present even during fasting, favorably influencing energy homeostasis. Plasma insulin, leptin, and ghrelin appeared unrelated to the satiety effect and displayed orexigenic compensatory changes. Identifying the mechanisms underlying LAGB-induced satiety may assist the understanding of human energy homeostasis and obesity.