Lapband surgery is the most common weight loss procedure in the world. The first Lapband was performed in 1993 in Europe. Since then thousands of bands were placed successfully. The Lapband surgery is also the safest weight loss procedure.

The band is made of silicone and has three components to it. First is the band component that would be placed around the upper portion of the stomach like a choker. This portion of the band has an inflatable balloon on the inside portion. This balloon is connected by the tubing to the access port that is about the size of a small water bottle cap. The access port is implanted into the abdominal wall under the skin and fat. You can’t see it but will be able to feel it through your skin.

The concept is that when saline is injected into the port in the abdominal wall using a syringe and a needle, the fluid enters into the balloon and makes the opening in the band smaller. Therefore we have control from the outside as to how small the opening in the band can be. The goal is to put enough fluid in the band to leave a small opening such that the stomach is divided into a small portion above and the rest is below the band.

Most Lapband procedures can be done as an outpatient procedure. Sometimes it requires an overnight stay.