5-448.c3:

An operation involved implanting a band around your stomach.

The stomach is located in the upper left abdomen. The stomach stores food and breaks it down further. Harmful pathogens are also killed by gastric acid in the stomach. The stomach thus prepares the food for digestion in the intestines. Food reaches the entrance to the stomach through the oesophagus.

The operation involved putting a band around the upper part of your stomach. This resulted in your stomach having a smaller and a bigger part. Between these, the gastric band creates a narrower point. Now food moves first into the small part of your stomach and then through a narrow passage to the rest of your stomach. The overall aim is to allow less food to get into the stomach.

Post-surgery, how much the gastric band can be narrowed can be controlled externally.

A laparoscopy was first done to place the band around your stomach. A laparoscopy first involves making a small incision in the abdomen. A tube with a camera is pushed through this incision into the abdomen. This camera sends pictures of the inside of the abdomen to a screen. Tools such as forceps and scissors can be inserted through other small incisions in the abdomen.

Then your abdomen was opened for the operation by making a large incision through your skin.