The overall long-term results of medical treatment for morbid obesity are poor. Surgery is the only treatment option to obtain long-term weight reduction. Analysis of risk factors for treatment success of laparoscopically placed gastric banding (LGB) has not been available until now.

Prospective study with 99 patients with LGB between January 1997 and July 2003. The parameters assessed as risk factors included onset of obesity, feeling of postprandial satiety, and initial body mass index (BMI).

Median follow-up was 36 months (3 to 72). Independent prognostic factors of excess body weight reduction (>25%) were for the first postoperative year: onset of obesity as an adolescent (relative risk [RR] 0.21), an initial BMI <45 kg/m² (RR 4.76), and a BMI between 45.1 and 50 kg/m² (RR 3.23). After the second year, independent prognostic factors were as follows: feeling of postprandial satiety (RR 5.26) and an initial BMI <45 kg/m² (RR 3.03).

LGB is suitable to achieve intermediate weight reduction in patients with morbid obesity. To obtain the best results, patients should be treated before they achieve a BMI >45 kg/m². Additionally a postprandial feeling of satiety after LGB is mandatory for good long-term results.