Effect of a post-operative structured exercise programme on short-term weight loss after obesity surgery using adjustable gastric bands

Background: Exercise has been recommended as an adjunct to diet control to achieve weight loss. No previous studies in the area had formal exercise guidelines or education [1, 2]. Unique to our practice is Bandfit, a personal trainer-led exercise programme for patients following bariatric surgery. Methods: We analysed the effect of Bandfit on short-term weight loss. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of consecutive patients between 2007 and 2008 was undertaken. Patients were educated about appropriate exercises for obese people with active participation. Percentage excess weight loss was calculated at 12 and 36 months. Weights were accepted ±3 months following the gastric banding. Patients were divided into subgroups based on zero, one or greater than one session attended. Patients without available records, 12-month data or a rural address were excluded. Data were statistically analysed utilising a two-sample t test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) calculation. Results: One hundred sixty-three patients were eligible for inclusion with 26 excluded as described in the methods. In the remaining 137 patients, 49 (36 %) did not attend any sessions, 28 (20 %) attended one, and 60 (44 %) attended more than one session. Conclusions: Analysis of the %EWL and sessions attended demonstrated a significant difference between those who attended more than one Bandfit session (p < 0.03), compared to those who did not attend any. However, this effect was not seen at 36 months. Attendance at a dedicated educational exercise programme significantly enhances short-term weight loss, but the effect is not seen at 36 months.