Step 1

Adjustable gastric banding involves placing a gastric band around the exterior of the stomach. The band is attached to a reservoir that is implanted subcutaneously in the rectus sheath.

Step 2

Injecting the reservoir with saline will alter the diameter of the gastric band and the stoma in the stomach can be progressively narrowed to induce greater weight loss, or expanded if complications develop.

The stomach is not entered so the surgery and any revisions (if necessary) are relatively simple. This procedure may often be performed laparoscopically

Adapted from Bray, G.A., Gray, D.S. Obesity, Part I. Pathogenesis. West J. Med. 1988: 149:429-41.