The Medical University of South Carolina's weight loss surgery program performs two surgical procedures for the treatment of obesity. The program currently offers the Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedures. Below is an overview of the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band procedure. If you have questions about gastric banding or the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass we encourage you to contact us directly. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure
This procedure induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach and slowing down the transit of food through the stomach. The adjustable gastric band is purely a RESTRICTIVE procedure.
Placement of the gastric band involves a laparoscopic approach to the abdominal cavity, (the use of small incisions and long-shafted instruments rather than a large incision), to implant a silicone band around the top part of the stomach. The band, which is hollow and inflatable, is fastened around the upper stomach to create a small pouch above it. When correctly adjusted, the band creates a narrow outlet from the pouch that slows the emptying process into the rest of the stomach. As a result, adjustable gastric band patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. In turn, this results in weight loss. The gastric band is connected by tubing to a reservoir (port), which is placed under the skin on the muscles of the abdominal wall during surgery. This port can be accessed with a needle passed thro the skin to adjust the amount of fluid in the band. Band fills are carried out in the clinic. Patients usually need more than one fill to achieve the sensation of fullness and lack of hunger. Occasionally the band can be overfilled resulting in vomiting. In this case fluid is removed from the band.
Since there is no cutting, stapling or rerouting of the intestine involved in the gastric banding procedure, it is considered the “least invasive” weight loss operation. The laparoscopic approach to the adjustable gastric band surgery also offers the advantages of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay and quicker recovery.  Risks of this procedure | 
