Vitamin D status and supplementation in morbid obesity before and after bariatric surgery.

Interest in vitamin D has increased recently because of its role on multiple biologic mechanisms and the high prevalence of deficits, particularly in obese individuals. The epidemic of morbid obesity has led to a growing number of bariatric surgical procedures, the only therapeutic modality with a reasonable chance of success on a long-term basis. Vitamin D status following bariatric surgery depends on several interacting factors and should be monitored carefully.

Intragastric balloon followed by diet vs intragastric balloon followed by another balloon: a prospective study on 100 patients.

Aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB®) followed by diet with BIB followed by another BIB. A prospective study was designed: a homogeneous group of 100 obese patients (age range 25-35, BMI range 40.0-44.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy versus intragastric balloon: a case-control study.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and BioEnterics intragastric balloon (BIB) to lose weight and comorbidities after 12 months of follow-up before a more invasive bariatric procedure.

Methods: From January 2004 to December 2006, 40 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a first step in biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Controls (n = 80) were selected based on charts of patients who, during the same period, underwent BioEnterics intragastric balloon therapy.

Intragastric balloon or diet alone? A retrospective evaluation.

Background: Very few studies have reported results of the BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) at > or =12 months follow-up. The aim of this study is the retrospective evaluation of the results of BIB placement compared to diet regimen alone.

Methods: From January 2005 to June 2006, 130 outpatients underwent a structured diet plan with simple behavioral modification at our institutions.

Reoperation after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: analysis of a cohort of 500 patients with long-term follow-up.

Background: To assess the rates and causes of reoperations in a long-term follow-up of a cohort of morbidly obese patients treated by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate a cohort of 498 consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding since 1996. The first 50 patients were excluded to avoid the learning curve bias.