Illustration of gastric banding. A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, commonly called a lap-band, A band, or LAGB, is an inflatable silicone device placed around the top portion of the stomach to treat obesity, intended to slow consumption of food and thus reduce the amount of food consumed. A soft plastic band creates a smaller pouch, thus restricting the amount of food that enters into the stomach. The port device controls the tightness of the band.