Adjustable Gastric Banding

Gastric banding is an exceptionally safe operation for the surgical control of morbid obesity. Most failures are due to a stoma that is too large or too small. To obviate the 20% failure rate (removal of band or readjustment with major surgery), a band which is adjustable from the subcutaneous tissues is described. This revisional surgery can be done on an out-patient basis under local anesthesia. Major intraperitoneal surgery is avoided with the great expense, risk, pain, and disability.