Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery

This is a restrictive gastric procedure that decreases food intake but does not change with the normal digestive process; a hollow band made of Silastic is placed around the stomach near its upper end.

This creates a small pouch that restricts the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. The band also creates a narrow passage between the pouch and the larger portion of the stomach.

This narrow passage delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a prolonged feeling of fullness. The band can be tightened or loosened over time to change the size of the passage.

Initially, the pouch holds about 1 ounce of food and later expands to 2-3 ounces.