Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

In the last ten years, gastric band, a permanent procedure which is potentially reversible, has become more and more popular. The band itself is inserted laparoscopically under general anaesthetic in around 45-60 minutes, with most people spending a night in hospital and then returning to work within two weeks.

The band is placed around the top part of your stomach, creating a small pouch. Food can only trickle slowly through the restricted area which means you feel full after a small amount of food. The result is you need to eat less and over time you lose weight. If you eat too much you will regurgitate the surplus food, so it's up to you to re-educate your eating habits and learn how much you can eat with the band in place.

The band can be adjusted to achieve the optimum slow weight loss of 1-2lbs a week; any faster weight loss can result in a lot of loose skin. It is intended to remain in place permanently and don't worry, it won't set off airport metal detectors!

• 50-60% average excess weight loss
• Best suited to people who eat healthily but need help with portion control
• 1 night stay in hospital, back to work within 2 weeks
• Available to people with a BMI of over 40, or over 35 plus co-morbidity