What is the Lap Band?

I didn't take into consideration that most of you haven't researched the Lap Band like I have so, I've decided to post some information about what I have done. It may make some sense of my posts. I have borrowed some information from the LAP-BAND website.

The LAP-BAND ® System is a silicone elastomer ring designed to be placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline on the inner surface. This creates anew small stomach pouch and leaves the larger part of the stomach below the band so the food storage area in the stomach is reduced, and the pouch above the band can hold only a small amount of food. The band also controls the stoma (stomach outlet) between the two parts of the stomach. The size of the stoma regulates the flow of the food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach. When the stoma is smaller, you feel full sooner and have a feeling of satiety so you are not hungry between meals.

The band is connected by tubing to an access port that is placed beneath the skin during surgery. Later, the surgeon can change the stoma size by adding or subtracting saline inside the inner balloon through the access port. This adjustment process helps drive the rate of weight loss. If the band is too loose and weight loss inadequate, adding more saline can reduce the size of the stoma to further restrict the amount of food that can move through it. If the band is too tight, the surgeon will remove some saline to loosen the band and reduce the amount of restriction.

I hope that makes more sense to those of you who haven't done tons of research like I have. I'm sorry I assumed that everyone knew what I was talking about.