Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding in the treatment of super obesity in the Jeddah area, Saudi Arabia. A preliminary report.

Eighteen morbid and super-obese patients were subjected to laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) of the new prototype which is currently used in Europe. This prospective study was done during a short period of time between October 26, 1995 and January 29, 1996 by one team and in the same hospital. Eleven patients were males, while seven were females. The mean age was 32 years (range 19-55 years), while the mean weight was 138 kg (range 98-191 kg), and the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 49.8 kg/m2 (range 36.3-65 kg/m2). Although most of the patients were super obese, no major operative difficulties were encountered and the patients made a good postoperative recovery after this technique. The weight loss during this short period was encouraging. The literatures are reviewed.