Adjustable Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is surgery that limits the amount of food the stomach can hold, helping you eat less and feel full sooner. At the St. Francis Surgical Weight Loss Center — located in Greenville, SC and convenient to Spartanburg, Anderson, and areas throughout the Upstate, SC region — adjustable gastric banding is performed using the LAP-BAND® or the Realize® Band. Both surgery options can help patients achieve significant weight loss. Your bariatric surgeon will help determine which adjustable gastric banding option is right for you.

Procedure Overview

Adjustable gastric banding is done through several small incisions in the belly. The doctor places small surgical tools and a camera through the incisions. The doctor then wraps a device around the upper part of your stomach to form a ring. Attached to the ring is a thin tube leading to an access port that is left under the skin that the surgeon can use to add or remove saline to adjust the tightness of your band.

The gastric banding procedure is different from other weight loss surgeries because the remainder of your stomach that is not being used in the pouch remains, and is not removed from your body. That means that the procedure can be reversible, and the band can be completely removed. It is also the only procedure that is adjustable, with your surgeon having the ability to add or take away saline to either tighten or loosen the band.

LAP-BAND® Surgery

In 2001, the LAP-BAND® gastric band became the first device to be approved by the FDA for the gastric banding procedure. It is available in two band sizes and two port sizes to allow for easy customization of your surgical procedure. To learn more about the LAP-BAND® surgery system, visit the manufacturer's website:

Realize® Band Surgery

The Realize® band was approved by the FDA for use in the gastric banding procedure in 2007, but the system has been used in patients outside of the United States since 1986. It is available in a single size and features the lowest profile port available, providing a natural appearance even as weight is lost. To learn more about the Realize® band surgery system, visit the manufacturer's website:

Attend a Free Seminar in Greenville, SC

Visit St. Francis to attend a free orientation seminar and learn more about adjustable gastric banding options such as LAP-BAND® surgery or Realize® band surgery. Our center is located in Greenville, SC and is convenient to Spartanburg, Anderson, and areas throughout the Upstate.