Initial Experience with Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band at Al-Noor Hospital

Background:The aim of this 4-year study is to give an initial account of the weight loss and complications after applying the Swedish adjustable gastric band (SAGB) at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital-Makkah. Materials and Methods: 97 morbidly obese patients underwent SAGB. Results: 94 patients benefited by losing weight. 1 patient had a minor complication (wound infection) and 1 did not return for follow-up. 2 early patients died of pulmonary embolism. The 64 females (68%) and 30 males had mean BMI 50.8 kg/m² before SAGB and 35.0 at 2 years after SAGB. Conclusion: Gastric banding generally was a valuable procedure for morbidly obese patients. It was easy to perform, with low operative risk and few longterm complications.