Gastric banding is a surgical operation for obese people with a body mass index of 35 or higher to help them lose weight. This surgery is best performed under a general anaesthesia, laparoscopically, and can be done in around an hour.
Gastric Banding Surgery

Banding surgery involves inserting a pliable band to which is firmly attached an inflatable balloon. This balloon on the side of the band is connected by a tube to an injection port.

The band is positioned around the upper part of the stomach so as to create an “hour-glass” effect. The smaller pouch lies above the band and has a capacity of 15-20ml. The remaining stomach lies below the band. The band, by squeezing the stomach, determines the opening or outlet from the small pouch and thus limits the amount of food that can pass out of the pouch.

Whilst the current world data support the use of the adjustable gastric band, we feel that it is important that patients who undertake this procedure also undertake to be involved in a prospective continuing evaluation of the results.
Gastric Banding for the Morbidly Obese

Morbid obesity is associated with major medical, physical and psychosocial problems including:

* Diabetes
* Hypertension
* Cardiac
* Orthopaedic Joint Problems
* Certain types of cancer

For some people, gastric banding surgery is an option which assists in the achievement of sustainable weight reduction.

It is important, however, to point out that surgery alone cannot solve the problem of obesity. Surgery is part of a holistic approach to the management of the obesity. It is, however, the only approach which has been shown to work and work effectively in the long term.