Gastric Banding - How does it work?

The gastric band is placed around the upper part of the stomach using keyhole surgery, to create a small pouch above the band.

The effect is to:

• Allow only a small amount of food to be held by the stomach at any one time, and
• Slow down the passage of food from the small pouch to the rest of the digestive tract.

Gastric banding allows the patient to:

• Feel comfortably full after a small amount of food
• Continue to feel full for longer
• Reduce the urge to have large helpings and to eat between meals.

Food is no longer the focus it once was. You are in-control of your eating, rather than eating controlling you.

Gastric band in position

Small amount of food held in the pouch

Slow passage of food to the rest of the stomach