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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. By injecting fluid through the port, the inner wall in the band loop may be inwardly expanded from adjacent to the outer wall to substantially completely obstruct the loop opening. The band further has a wider portion intended to bear against the posterior side of the Esophagus.

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First Claim