A gastric band (10) includes a band body having a first end (14) and a second end (16). The band body includes a latching mechanism (20). The latching mechanism is composed of a shell member (22) at the first end of the band body and a collar member (26) at the second end of the band body, the shell member and collar member being shaped and dimensioned for selective locking and unlocking in a manner creating a loop of the gastric band for positioning about a stomach wall.
