Laparoscopic gastric banding for the treatment of morbid obesity

Abstract

Morbid obesity is an international disease, not only of the Western world but also severe obesity is growing in third world countries.

The definition of morbid obesity varies: it 1s usually taken as a BMI of over 40 klm2 •

Morbid obesity is associated with a number of co morbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. Several large epidemiological studies have shown that the mortality rate in the severely obese is elevated. Owing to discrimination against them, obese people show poor well-being associated with psychosocial problems.

The treatment of morbidly obese patients 1s a challenge.

Treatment by exercise dietetic, pharmacological and psychological measures almost always results in failure ultimately.

Over the last decades bariatric surgery has been increasingly accepted as a possible treatment for morbidly obese patients. It took some time to be recognized as the only treatment that can generally