Do support groups play a role in weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding?

Surgical intervention represents the only treatment with long-term efficacy for morbid obesity. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a minimally invasive operation that is increasing in popularity. We hypothesized that attending support groups is beneficial to achieve optimal weight loss after LAGB.

38 patients who underwent LAGB between Dec 2002 and Aug 2003 were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups; A included 28 patients who did not attend the support groups (surgery without support groups), and B included 10 patients who attended the support groups (surgery with support groups). Weight loss between the 2 groups was compared over a 1-year period.

Patients who attended support groups achieved more weight loss (mean decrease in BMI = 9.7 +/- 1.9) than patients who did not attend support groups (mean decrease in BMI = 8.1 +/- 2.1), P = 0.0437 (unpaired t-test).

Support groups appear to be an important adjunct for patients who undergo LAGB, to achieve and maintain improved weight loss.