Do Support Groups Play a Role in Weight Loss after Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding?

Abstract

Support groups appear to be an important adjunct for patients who undergo LAGB, to achieve and maintain improved weight loss.

The paradox of the pouch: prompt emptying predicts improved weight loss after laparoscopic Roux-Y gastric bypass

“…Patients eligible for surgical management include motivated patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 40 kg/m 2 with or without comorbidities associated with their obesity or above 35 kg/m 2 with associated comorbid medical problems. Several factors affect the extent of weight loss achieved postoperatively, including patient motivation, diet, exercise, surgeon experience, preoperative BMI, sex, and psychological interventions [10][11][12]. Younger patients tend to lose more weight, presumably due to increased mobility and less comorbidities [11].…”

“…Younger patients tend to lose more weight, presumably due to increased mobility and less comorbidities [11]. Diabetic patients tend to lose less weight following gastric bypass even though the majority experience normalization of their fasting blood glucose level after the surgery [10][11][12].…”

Understanding Eating and Exercise Behaviors in Post Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Patients: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study

“…Nonetheless, having access to a WLS support group was valued by the majority of the focus group members. According to Elakkary et al, 43 psychosocial factors discussed in support groups can influence the degree of weight loss and weight maintenance. For example, WLS support groups can help identify compulsive and disordered eating behaviors (binges, grazing, night eating), environmental factors attributing to weight gain, and social/emotional eating behaviors.…”

“…For example, WLS support groups can help identify compulsive and disordered eating behaviors (binges, grazing, night eating), environmental factors attributing to weight gain, and social/emotional eating behaviors. [43][44][45] Sarwer et al 9 identified two factors related to food regulation intake that potentially increase the risk of weight regain in post-WLS patients. The first is the loss of ''cognitive restraint'' defined as an ''intentional effort to limit food intake'' to lose or maintain weight.…”

Psychosocial Evaluation, Preparation, and Follow-Up for Bariatric Surgery Patients

“…Both LAGB and RYGB patients have greater weight loss 6 months and 1 year postoperatively when attending a postoperative support group regularly, and the number of groups attended positively correlates with 1-year weight loss for LAGB patients. [45][46][47][48] Support groups assist with problem identification and solving, education, motivational enhancement, and provision of bariatric-specific support. Often, they can also include patients' support people.…”