Laparoscopic gastric banding

The adjustable gastric band is a silicone inflatable balloon placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch (15-20mL). This balloon is connected by a tube to an access port. 

 

The band helps patients reduce weight by reducing the amount of food that an individual wants to eat by inducing a feeling of fullness after a very small meal.

 

The size of the pouch outlet is adjusted by adjusting the volume of fluid in the balloon through the access port. The access port is situated under the skin in the upper abdomen and is accessible by the treating doctor with a special needle. 

 

Since the insertion of the adjustable gastric band does not involve any stapling, resection or shortening of any part of the stomach or intestines, the function of the digestive system remains intact and the procedure is fully reversible. Gastric band is a safer operation compared to sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. However, gastric band is rapidly losing its popularity due to difficult in eating that often results in "maladaptive eating" of easy to ingest but high caloric food/drinks, limited range of food choices, frequent followup for adjustments, high rate of revision of port/band and highly variable weight loss pattern.