The adjustable gastric band is a medical implant that is placed around the top part of the stomach, creating a stoma (also called a pouch). After you recuperate from surgery, a physician or nurse practitioner injects saline into your band via a port in the patient’s side. Saline travels up the tubing to pillow-like silicone chambers which tighten around the stoma. This restricts the opening through which food and liquid passes into the rest of the stomach.

Unlike procedures that permanently alter the stomach and digestive system, the band can be ‘unfilled’ which removes all saline and returns the stomach to a more natural state:

And, I thought it was great that, if I got pregnant or was ill, all the fluid could be removed and I could have a temporary “regular” stomach again. It seemed like a no-brainer.

Robin

The pouch holds about 1/2 cup of food¹. When you eat a small meal slowly, the restriction creates a gradual feeling of fullness.

1. Adjustable gastric band, wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustable_gastric_band [↩]