[Surgical treatment of morbid obesity]

The authors present their experience with surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Up to 1986 they used above all gastroplasties vertical and horizontal--to influence morbid forms of obesity; from 1986 they use the method of gastric bandage with very good results as regards weight losses. The mean body weight losses are 38.1 kg in 12 months. In 1993 the authors were the first, worldwide, to make gastric banding by the laparoscopic route with the same effect on body weight loss but with the possibility to reduce to a minimum the surgical stress of the patient and to reduce possible early and late postoperative complications. The laparoscopic technique makes it also possible to shorten the time of hospitalization.