The adjustable gastric band is the least invasive, safest and the only adjustable and reversible surgical weight-loss option available in the United States. It helps achieve sustained weight loss by placing an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach to reduce its capacity.
The adjustable gastric band is a hollow, silastic balloon-type band that has the appearance of a small belt. It is designed to be placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline on the inner surface. This creates a new small stomach pouch and leaves the larger part of the stomach below the band so the food storage area is reduced, and the pouch above the band can hold only a small amount of food.
The band also controls the size of the stoma (stomach outlet) between the two parts of the stomach. The size of the stoma regulates the flow of the food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach.
The band is connected by tubing to an access port that is place beneath the skin during surgery. Later, the surgeon can change the stoma size by adding or subtracting saline inside the inner balloon through the access port. This adjustment process helps drive the rate of weight loss.
If the band is too lose and weight loss inadequate, adding more saline can reduce the size of the stoma to further restrict the amount of food that can move through it. If the band is too tight, your Aftercare Provider will remove some saline to loosen the band and reduce the amount of restriction.
This procedure requires no cutting or stapling of the stomach and does not by-pass portions of the stomach or intestines. Because the digestive tract remains intact, recipients do not suffer from side effects caused by malabsorption like individuals undergo other weight loss surgeries.
