respectively these recesses which are substantially the negative image of one another butt together and prevent the overlap of the two ends of the inner stomach facing surface 32 of the gastric band when the band is in its closed position the recesses 26 and 28 are formed on the head and tail ends respectively to ensure a substantially smooth continuous surface contacts the patient 39 s stomach the releasably securable gastric band according to the present invention requires a two step procedure to release its locking head and tail ends first the interlocking tooth 14 and notch 20 are disengaged by pulling on the release tab 24 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the now closed gastric band 12 to assist in pulling on the release tab 24 the surgeon or other medical professional may also grasp the gripping land 34 with a second medical instrument doing so helps hold the gastric band 12 in place so that force can be efficiently applied to the release tab 24 next the tail 10 a may be removed from the head end 10 b if the band is to be removed or loosened sufficiently to allow the gastric band 12 to be repositioned along the length.