Laparoscopic gastric banding is a surgical treatment for morbid obesity, and apparently the most important factor in the success of this operation is the hands of the surgeon. He’ll need plenty of proficiency and skill to do the necessary inside the patient’s body. Now researchers have recently won a $2.3M federal grant in order to develop a touch-sensitive virtual reality simulator that can realistically replicate how performing a gastric band operation feels like, thanks to the magic of haptic technology (or touch feedback). With this in place, surgeons will be able to practice and refine the surgical skills needed to perform a laparoscopic procedure in their own virtual operating theater, without having to worry about hurting someone and inviting a lawsuit.