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Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAP-BAND® )

Adjustable gastric banding refers to a surgical procedure where a small belt or band is fastened around the upper portion of the stomach.  You may also hear adjustable gastric banding called LAP-BAND which is a brand name for the most widely used gastric band in the United States and is short for laparoscopic band.

How the Adjustable Gastric Band Works

The band effectively divides the stomach into a smaller upper portion or pouch and a larger lower portion.  The inside diameter of the band can be adjusted to alter the size of the connection between the upper and lower parts of the stomach.  This connection is called a stoma.

With the band applied to the stomach, the upper portion forms a small pouch which can hold only a tiny amount of food before the patient feels full. The band also slows the rate that food passes from the small pouch to the rest of the stomach so the feeling of fullness lasts longer. As a result, people with gastric bands don't get hungry as often so they eat less and lose weight.

The Only Reversable Bariatric Surgery

Adjustable gastric banding systems such as LAP-BAND are becoming increasingly popular because they have the unique distinction among bariatric surgeries of being reversible.  Gastric banding does not require any cutting or rerouting of the intestines so removing the band allows the patient's stomach to slowly revert to its pre-surgical state.

Weight loss with adjustable banding is slower than with gastric bypass and patients generally see a loss of about 50 percent of their excess weight.

Click here to learn more about the lap band procedure.