As usual, this was a combination of listening to lectures given by colleagues from around the world, and catching up with good friends.

Some of the pioneering bariatric surgeons presented their long term (10 year) results, showing that with good aftercare, gastric banding is at least as good as gastric bypass. The results of sleeve gastrectomy remains controversial, as surgeons acknowledge that it works in the short term, but long term weight regain is a problem in about a quarter of patients.

There were some good ideas to improve our aftercare pathways and some interesting new techniques and tips for us to consider.

Now, back to work….

Based in Australia, he did his first LAGB in Melbourne in 1994 and has done many thousands since. His research has shown that 10 to 15 years after surgery, the procedure is just as effective as the bypass.

Shaw and I spent Monday evening talking LAGB philosophy with Paul over supper. Paul introduced Shaw to a very full-some Aussie Red. Shaw introduced Paul to a more subtle Italian red; I enjoyed the company of both. Of note Paul has found that LAGB patients who enjoy a small amount of Australian red wine each week, get better weight loss than those who don’t drink.

Paul spent yesterday with us at our new Sudbury Clinic in Harrow. He spent the morning in clinic, with Shaw and me. I think our patients will benefit greatly from the knowledge Paul imparted.

The key to overall success with the LAGB is to get patients who are struggling to lose weight, back on track.

In the afternoon, Paul spoke to the wider Streamline team, with twenty members present. We concentrated on Paul’s eight golden rules for success with the LAGB; these can be found on his website and in his book: http://www.lapbandaustralia.com.au/lapband_system.html.

I hope they will become the basis of our future LAGB service too.

For me it has been one of the most intellectually stimulating times, I’ve enjoyed in bariatric surgery and I hope Paul will join Streamline Surgical on a more permanent basis.