15 year study of banding

Very interesting data. As for the differences between US and non US data, I would suggest, as purely my opinion,  different dietary practices such as more access to fast food in this country, less daily exercise as part of lifestyle in this country, and more stressful lifestyle in this country whi*****ludes less vacation time, shorter breaks during work day. I have nothing to back this up. It is just based on my viewpoint of the world.  

I agree that fast food and car usage are probably factors in the obesity epidemic (and unfortunately we in the UK are catching up rapidly  with the US).  I spent a month in New England a couple of years ago and portion sizes were daunting as were the number of eat-all-you-want places . In the N E rural places, people walked but as soon as we got to towns, even small ones, everything seemed to be much more car reliant than in the UK. A couple of times we tried to walk out of our hotel for evening meals and couldn't - no pavements (sidewalks to you!). And many more out of town shopping centres which rely on cars again.

That might explain failure to lose weight, but it doesn't explain band removal rates. I know people doubt me when I say complications requiring removal are less frequent here, but they are! And in Australia.

Kate