Gastric band removal surgery. Endoscopic display in an operating theatre, showing the removal of an eroded gastric band (white). Gastric bands are used to treat obesity. The band is placed around the stomach near its upper end, restricting the amount of food a patient can eat and helping weight loss. One possible complication is erosion or migration of the gastric band, where the gastric band grows into the stomach. This requires the gastric band to be surgically removed. The removal is being done by laparoscopic surgery, inserting instruments through holes in the abdomen. Photographed in 2014.