Abstract: A surgical method for reducing the food intake of a patient includes the steps of dissecting the lower part of the Esophagus, applying a band to form a loop around the Esophagus, displacing an upper part of the stomach through the loop, so as to form a small pouch above said band in connection with the Esophagus, and suturing the upper part to the stomach portion situated below the band loop, thereby tunnelating said band. A device useful in performing this method includes an elongated band having a flexible substantially non-expansible outer wall and a flexible and expansible inner wall joined to the outer wall to form an expansible closed cavity. The band has a length such that, when its ends are joined to each other, it forms a loop around the Esophagus, while permitting an upper part of the stomach to be introduced through the opening of the loop. A conduit extends between the band's cavity and an injection port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical method for reducing the food intake of a patient by dissecting the lower part of the Esophagus of a patient, applying a band to form a loop around the lower part of the Esophagus and displacing an upper part of the stomach through the loop, thereby forming a small pouch above the band wherein the final position of the band is above the Bursa Omentalis.