Gastric band

A gastric band involves dividing your stomach into two by placing a silicone band around the stomach therefore creating a small pouch at the top of your stomach (roughly the size of a golf ball).

What is a gastric band?

Gastric band surgery, also known as gastric banding or lap banding, is a weight loss surgery option that helps overweight and obese people to change their eating habits and lose weight and improve overall health.

A gastric band is a silicone band that is placed around the top of the stomach making an egg timer shape.

How does a gastric band work?

A gastric band works by reducing your hunger so that you don’t need to eat large portions to be satisfied.

By placing an adjustable band around the upper part of your stomach, sensors are irritated which send a message to your brain to tell you that you are no longer hungry. It will only work if you eat normal foods because the sensors need pressure from bulky foods. They won’t work if you eat mashed foods and liquids. Band adjustments are needed to tighten or loosen the band to maintain pressure.

The benefits of a gastric band are that it helps you to accomplish long-term weight loss if you are committed to keeping to a new healthier lifestyle and gastric band diet. If you have obesity-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes these should also improve with your weight loss.