The History of the LAP-BAND^® Adjustable Gastric Banding System

Many potential and post-surgical patients are well aware of the distinct advantages of laparoscopic surgery - reduced pain and trauma, shorter hospitals stays, and faster recovery. However, in the early 1990's, when this type of surgery became popular, laparoscopic weight loss surgery was not yet perfected.

An American surgeon, Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak (New Jersey) did introduce open adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) at this time. In 1991, Allergan (then Inamed Development Company) began a confidential project with two Belgian surgeons, Drs. Mitiku Belachew and M. Legrand, developing innovative laparoscopic gastric banding for the treatment of significant excess weight. The first human laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure was performed on September 1, 1993, in Huy, Belgium, and a clinical trial program was started at the same time. Upon its conclusion, in March 1994 the First International Workshop on laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, including 30 surgeons from around the world, was held in Huy, Belgium.

Additional workshops were held internationally, and Allergan set a strict policy that only surgeons who have participated in a training program at an Allergan-approved center would be allowed access to the LAP-BAND^® System. Any surgeon utilizing the LAP-BAND^® System must have good experience in bariatric surgery, in addition to advanced laparoscopic skills. Each surgeon must also be qualified and experienced in the treatment of seriously overweight patients.

In July 1994, the LAP-BAND^® System became available on the market outside the U.S. to be used by the trained surgeons. After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established U.S.-based clinical trials in 1995 (The FDA regulations require clinical trials in approved centers before an implantable device, such as the LAP-BAND^® System, can be used widely in the U.S. in a surgical procedure), they approved the LAP-BAND^® System for general use in June 2001. To date, over 500,000 LAP-BAND^® System devices have been distributed worldwide to allow thousands of patients to lose and control their weight, reduce their health risks, and live happier, more active lives. Allergan continues to refine the LAP-BAND^® System and surgical technique in conjunction with surgeons around the world to achieve better outcomes for our patients. The latest generation of the LAP-BAND^® System - the LAP-BAND AP^® - became available to U.S. patients in 2007.

Dr. Grossbard's Story

Read how a surgeon changed his own life and that of his patients with LAP-BAND^®

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