Obesity describes body weight and body fat that is much greater than what is healthy or desirable. Weight-loss surgery may be done for those who have not been able to lose weight with diet and exercise. The main aim is to reduce the size of the stomach to help achieve long-term weight loss. Three key procedures are: reducing the size of the stomach with an implanted band (gastric banding); removing part of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion); or by redirecting the small intestines to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass). These procedures may be carried out in a minimally invasive way with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall through which a laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted to view the stomach and intestines. The surgery is carried out with instruments inserted in other small cuts in the abdomen. Laparoscopic obesity surgery permits a shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time with less pain. It is usually done under general anaesthesia.