About the Lap Banding Procedure

For comprehensive information about gastric banding please visit the Lap Band information pages on our website

Media Release 18 February 2011

The gastric band (Lap Band) procedure is where a buckle-design band is placed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) around the stomach, compressing the top of the stomach and reducing appetite.11 The band has a soft lining that can be inflated by injecting saline into an access port, just beneath the skin in the side of the abdomen, allowing for tightening of the band for further control over appetite, without surgery.11

The Lap Band procedure does not require cutting or stapling of the stomach and there is no bypassing of parts of the digestive system.11

The Lap Band procedure is suitable for severely obese adults, or obese adults with weight-related health complications, who have unsuccessfully tried other weight loss methods, such as diet and exercise.11

Complications associated with gastric banding surgery include risks from the medications and methods used in the surgical procedure, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient’s degree of intolerance to any foreign object implanted in the body.11

Australia’s first gastric banding procedure was performed in 1994, and last year more than 11,000 procedures were performed in Australia.7 More than 600,000 procedures in total have been performed internationally.8

Click the links for more information about gastric band surgery.

Read more of this article by following the links below:

1. Medicare 2010 data.

2. Allergan data on file, 2011.

11.LAP-BAND AP™ Adjustable Gastric Banding System with OMNIFORM™ Design. Directions for Use. Allergan.