What is an Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band?

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB)

An adjustable gastric band is a surgical device that is wrapped around the upper stomach, making a pouch the size of an egg (50 ml or 4 tablespoons).  This creates a dime-size opening from the small pouch to the rest of the stomach.  The band has a tube that connects to an access port that is secured under the skin.  By adding or removing saline (salt solution) from the port, the band tightness can be adjusted.

How does it work?

This operation has a higher rate of long term complications requiring surgery to revise or remove the band. The weight loss and resolution of comorbidities are inferior to sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. For this reason, we no longer offer Adjustable Gastric Band. The description of this procedure is for educational purposes.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) video