Adjustable Gastric Banding

This is a  laparoscopic surgery which places a hollow silicone 'band' around the top portion of the stomach. Because the band is connected to a tube that goes out through the stomach wall via a small port located just under the skin, it can be adjusted at any time. These adjustment procedures (sometimes called ' fills') allow a decrease or increase of the amount of saline solution in the band, which causes the opening to become smaller or larger. According to the University of Washington Medicine's Bariatric Surgery section, most patients will have 4-6 band  adjustments the first year after their surgery, depending on their individual needs. The initial surgery usually takes about 1-1.5 hours.

The band creates a pouch which can initially hold around one ounce of food and then slowly expands to hold 3-6 ounces. The opening makes food 'drop' into the lower portion of the stomach at a slow pace, creating the sensation of being full. Adjustable Gastric Banding usually costs on average $17,000-$30,000, but the amount paid out-of-pocket depends on how much (if any) insurance is willing to cover. (Medicare covers adjustable gastric banding, with some conditions). Many bariatric surgery centers also offer financing.

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