Bariatric banding

Bariatric banding is a a subclass of bariatric surgery, in which an adjustable band is used to reduce the capacity of an organ in the gastrointestinal system. The band may be placed by open or laparoscopic surgery. As opposed to stapling or other procedures normally intended to be permanent, the band can be adjusted or removed during a separate surgical procedure. Most bands are applied to the stomach or duodenum.

Such surgery may reduce body weight and improve metabolism not only by bypassing of parts of the digestive tract and creating a controlled malabsorption syndrome, but by altering the secretion or metabolism of certain hormones or hormone-like chemicals, such as glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1), a member of the incretin class, also called enteroglucagon. These chemicals variously have effects on carbohydrate metabolism, insulin resistance, and the sensation of satiety (i.e., fullness).