Obese patients (those more than 100 pounds overweight) have a variety of bariatric surgery options to meet their weight loss goals.

The laparoscopic banding surgery (LAP BAND surgery) falls under the category of restrictive weight loss surgery. Restrictive bariatric surgery makes weight loss possible by reducing the food-holding capacity of the stomach, thereby restricting food intake. The patient therefore feels full after eating a very little amount of food. Secondly, it slows down the movement of food out of the stomach, keeping the stomach full for a longer period of time. This reduces the urge to eat between meals.

A special adjustable silicone band is placed around the entrance of the stomach to create a pouch. This pouch holds very little food, the equivalent of a slice of bread. This capacity increases over time. The silicone band is connected to a thin tube that is attached to a small salt water container in the abdominal area. By injecting saline in this container the surgeon can either loosen or constrict the silicone band, thus controlling the passage of food from the pouch to the rest of the stomach.

This surgery is done using laproscopic techniques, which is much less invasive than traditional gastric bypass. Such surgeries heal faster and can be performed without the abdomen being cut open. Therefore, LAP BAND surgery is a minimal invasive surgery.

LAP BAND surgery is preferred over other weight loss surgeries because no part of the digestive tract is cut off or re-routed. Moreover, this procedure is completely reversible.

Nausea and vomiting may be triggered by this procedure but that can be taken care of by adjusting the band. As in all surgeries, some complications like infections and minor bleeding can occur.

The LAP BAND surgery is quite effective and a person who is 100 lbs overweight can lose up to 50 lbs on average giving that person a new lease of life.