OBJECTIVES: Few studies have reported the impact of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on work productivity in obese patients.  The objective of this HERO study analysis is to examine the effect of weight loss (WL) on work productivity (absenteeism, presenteeism, and productivity loss) and non-work activity impairment 1 year (yr) after laparoscopic placement of LAP-BAND AP® System. METHODS: HERO is a 5-yr registry of 1,106 obese patients from 29 centers in the United States (US), Canada, Europe, and Australia who underwent LAGB.  Our descriptive analysis included about 70% of subjects who provided complete baseline (BL) and 1 yr health related quality of life data based on Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, a well validated instrument generating scores in absenteeism, presenteeism, work productivity loss and non-work activity impairment. RESULTS: The mean age was 43.1 yrs and females constituted 79.3%.  At BL, 59% worked full time and 10% worked part time. Mean (SD) baseline weight was 126.2 (24.14) kg.  At 1 year, the average %WL was 16.9% (SD, 9.02).  Baseline presenteeism was 4.5%, absenteeism 33.4%, work productivity 3.8%, and non-work activity impairment was 51.2%.  At 1 year, there was reduction in presenteeism to 2.8% (p<0.05), in absenteeism to 20% (p<0.05), in work productivity to 2.3% (p<0.05), and non-work activity impairment to 28% (p<0.05). There was a decreasing trend in presenteeism (23.4%, 20.4%, 18.2%, 14.1%, p=0.01) and less non-work activity impairment (32.9%, 29.7%, 22.7%, 17.5%, p<0.001) as %WL increased from 0-10%, to >10-20%, to >20-30%, and to >30%.  This decrease was not observed with absenteeism (1.9%, 3.8%, 2.5%, 1.7%, p=0.28) nor productivity loss (2.1%, 2.2%, 2.7%, 1.8%, p=0.74) as %WL increased. CONCLUSIONS: LAGB was associated with significant WL and improvement in work productivity and reduction in non-work activity impairment by 1 yr.  Further analysis will examine the sustainability of WL effect on impact on work productivity.