Gastric Banding

In the gastric banding procedure, a band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach. The band divides the stomach into two portions, one smaller than the other. Since the stomach is divided into two parts, most patients feel full faster. Food is digested in the usual way. Weight loss is achieved by limiting how much you can eat, reducing your appetite and slowing digestion. The gastric banding system restricts the number of calories without altering absorption.

The gastric banding system is a silicone elastomer ring filled with saline, which is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The surgeon can adjust the size of the stoma or stomach outlet between the two parts of the stomach by adding or removing saline solution. This is done through an access port that is placed under the skin during surgery. Adjustments can be made without additional surgery.

The gastric banding system is usually placed laparoscopically under general anesthesia, a technique that is considered minimally invasive. The surgeon makes a few small incisions or a “port” in the abdominal wall for inserting long, thin surgical instruments and a narrow camera which allows the surgeon to see the operative site on a video monitor.