Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding in the Super-Obese: Peri-Operative and Early Outcomes

Introduction: Controversy exists between laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in super-obese patients. Methods: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. A total of 102 consecutive super-obese (body mass index >50) patients underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (Group 1), and 79 consecutive ones underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Group 2). Early complications and weight loss outcomes were evaluated. Results: No significant difference was found in operative mean (±standard deviation) time (93.5 ± 33 vs 87.7 ± 39 min, p = 0.29), hospital stay (2.68 ± 2.27 vs 2.75 ± 1.84 days, p = 0.80), or overall early postoperative morbidity (17.65% and 10.12%, p = 0.20). Intra-operative complications occurred in six patients (5.9%) in Group 1 and none in Group 2 (0.0%, p = 0.04). Mean excess weight loss percent at 6 and 12 months in Group 1 was 44.75% ± 11.84% and 54.71% ± 18.18% versus 26.20% ± 12.42% and 31.55% ± 19.79% in Group 2 (p