Pregnancy after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: perinatal outcome is favorable also for women with relatively high gestational weight gain

The prevalence of morbid obesity is increasing steadily among women of reproductive age. In addition to the well-known comorbidities of the disease, it has been shown that the pregnancy outcome for obese women is worse than for women with a normal body mass index. This study aimed to evaluate the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes for women who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) because of morbid obesity.

This prospective, population-based study was conducted in a general surgery clinic of a tertiary hospital serving as a referral center for bariatric operations. All the patients underwent LAGB by the pars flaccida technique. A database containing information regarding age, pre- and postoperative weight and body mass index, weight gain, and LAGB-related or -unrelated complications during pregnancy was constructed for all women of childbearing age who underwent LAGB. A questionnaire was designed to provide perinatal data concerning both mother and neonate.

The 74 women enrolled in this study had 81 single tone pregnancies. Their body mass index decreased significantly after LAGB, from 43.3 ± 5.8 to 30.3 ± 3 kg/m² at conception (p < 0.0001). The average time to the first live birth after surgery was 27 ± 3 months. Band slippage was diagnosed and treated laparoscopically in two patients (2.4%). Weight gain during pregnancy was 10.6 ± 2.1 kg. The rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes were 7.4% and 16% of all pregnancies, respectively. In 17 cases (20%), cesarean section was performed. Delivery occurred after 39.1 weeks of gestation. The mean birth weight was 3.09 ± 0.5 kg. Major congenital anomalies, postnatal hypoglycemia, symptomatic polycythemia or neonatal death were not recorded.

The findings show that LAGB is safe for both mother and newborn during gestation and delivery.