What is a Gastric Band?

The gastric band is a hollow, silicone ring designed to be placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline   

The Allergan A-P Gastric Band is made from a pre-formed silicone shell. When placed around the upper part of the stomach, a new small stomach “pouch” about the size of a golf ball is created above the band, leaving the larger part of stomach below.  In this way the food storage area in the stomach is reduced since the pouch above the gastric band can hold only a small amount of food at any one time.  

The band is connected by tubing to an access port which allows saline to be introduced (to tighten) or removed (to loosen) from the band. This adjustment port has a central, 'self-sealing' silicone core.

There are various types of gastric band used in the UK, all of which are required to meet rigorous safety standards. In truth there is little to choose between the best products but we generally opt for the latest version of the Allergan laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAP-BAND^®). Why? Because there are more published studies on the LAP-BAND^® than any other device.

There are two LAP-BAND^® models:

AP-Small (APS) maximum fill capacity of 10cc. Used in about 70% of gastric band cases

AP-Large (APL) maximum fill capacity of 14cc. Used in bigger, heavier patients

Read the Healthier Weight study of Gastric Band patients over a 12 year period  

Registered with the Care Quality Commission and all our specialist surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)