A tensioning system for restricting the available volume of a gastric
cavity includes a base material that is shaped and dimensioned for
surgical attachment to surfaces on or within the body. Multiple
tensioning members are incorporated into the base material, each of the
tensioning members including a first end and a second end, wherein
pulling upon the tensioning member will cause edges of the base material
to be drawn together. The method for restricting the available volume of
a gastric cavity includes securing edges of a tensioning system to the
gastric cavity and drawing the edges of the tissue together to create a
fold in the tissue.