The surgical placement of a soft band around the uppermost part of the stomach. This is performed using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, which involves several small holes in the abdomen, rather than a single large incision.   Gastric banding was the most commonly performed weight loss surgery in Australia for a decade, but has been gradually replaced by Sleeve Gastrectomy.

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Gastric Bands taught us that restrictive procedures lead to weight loss primarily through appetite suppression.