What happens during the procedure?
The Gastric Band operation takes around 30 minutes and is carried out under general anaesthesia via laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Four tiny incisions are made to the upper abdomen and the band is fitted around the top of the stomach with the use of a special telescope and camera. A fifth incision is made at the site of the access port.
Attached to the silicone band is a fine soft silicone tube. At the time of your operation the surgeon brings this tube through most of your abdominal wall from the inside. To the end of this tube is attached a small port.
This is fixed under your skin and allows your surgeon to add or remove small amounts of sterile saline into your band system. In doing this it is possible to adjust the amount of restriction the band is placing around your stomach. The Gastric Band will dictate how quickly food will enter your stomach.
