Considerable experience has been obtained, mainly in Australia and Europe, with placement of an inflatable Silastic band around the top part of the stomach to create a small gastric pouch, without the need for any bowel anastomosis. This procedure is performed laparoscopically and is called the LapBand procedure. The surgical incisions for the needed laparoscopic ports are as shown.

Results so far have been very encouraging, however weight loss is less than for the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (about 10 to 20 percent less) and management requires more frequent clinic visits to adjust the band inflation.

The device consists of a band, connection tubing, and a plastic access port. The band has a plastic ring lining the inside that can be filled with water to narrow the stomach opening, thus limiting the amount of food that can pass over time. The access port is used to add or remove water from the band, here shown with a needle and syringe placed for an adjustment.

An area is cleared at the top of the stomach for passage of the band and the band is secured about the stomach by an interlocking mechanism. After placement of the band, all instruments are removed from the abdomen and a small plastic access port is implanted just under the skin. The band has a plastic ring lining the inside that can be filled with water to narrow the stomach opening, thus limiting the amount of food that can pass over time. The amount of water in the plastic ring is adjusted by placing a needle into the plastic access port and adding or withdrawing fluid. Placement of the needle is minimally painful.