Improvement in health-related quality of life in first year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

We analyzed the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its determinants in the first year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The setting was 10 Italian public and private bariatric surgery centers. Data collected in an ongoing, prospective, 3-year multicenter Italian study on the changes in HRQOL after LAGB were used. HRQOL was investigated using the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 questionnaire. Hunger, satiety, and the self-perceived effects of LAGB were recorded. A total of 334 patients were enrolled. The follow-up rate was 92.2%. The percentage of excess weight loss was 39.6% ± 25.8%, with very few side effects or complications. Hunger in the morning (0–10 scale) was 4.5 ± 2.7 before surgery and 3.8 ± 2.4 after 1 year ( P <.001). Satiety after a meal (0–10 scale) was 7.1 ± 2.7 before surgery and 8.2 ± 1.9 at 1 year ( P <.001). The self-perceived effect of LAGB on caloric intake (0–10 scale) was 8.4 ± 1.9 after 1 year. The scores for the 8 Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 subscales were significantly improved after surgery. The physical component summary score was 52.6 ± 11.9 at baseline and 79.1 ± 15.6 after 1 year ( P <.001). The corresponding mental component summary scores were 52.2 ± 12.3 and 76.5 ± 17.2 ( P <.001). Greater physical component summary improvement was independently associated with a low initial physical component summary ( P <.001), high satiety ( P =.002), a high percentage of excess weight loss ( P =.013), and a high self-perceived effect of the LAGB ( P =.026). Greater mental component summary improvement was associated with a low initial mental component summary ( P <.001), high satiety ( P <.001), a low frequency of heartburn ( P =.004), and a high percentage of excess weight loss ( P =.012). Significant improvements in HRQOL were observed in the first year after LAGB. A poor baseline HRQOL, a high efficacy of the banding in eating control, and better weight loss might influence HRQOL changes.