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To determine the long-term results of the surgical treatment of patients with morbid obesity, a retrospective analysis of the patients in whom a vertical banded gastroplasty according to Mason was performed in the period 1982-1990 was carried out in the department of General Surgery, St. Joseph Hospital, Veldhoven, the Netherlands. In a series of 20 patients (4 men and 16 women) with a mean age of 32 (17-53) years who were eligible for treatment according to international criteria surgery was performed. The preoperative weight averaged 124 (94-207) kg and the mean preoperative excess weight was 60 (37-132) kg. Immediate postoperative complications occurred in 5 and late complications in 7 patients. Revision for technical complications was necessary in 2 patients. Twelve patients were followed up for more than 4 years. The mean weight loss after 4 years was 37 (18-89) kg, which was 28 (18-43) per cent of the mean preoperative weight and 62 (31-89) per cent of the mean preoperative excess weight. The 4-year results were unsatisfactory (less than 50 percent excess weight loss) in 3 of the 12 patients. It is concluded that vertical banded gastroplasty in our hands seems a relatively safe and effective surgical method of achieving sustained weight loss in most patients.