FDA Approves Expanded Use of Lap-Band for Obese adults with a BMI of 30

Posted February 17, 2011 by Jacob Haiavy, MD, FACS

FDA APPROVES EXPANDED USE OF LAP-BAND® ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING SYSTEM FOR OBESE ADULTS Obese Adults with a BMI of 30-40 with at Least One Obesity Related Comorbid Condition Now Qualify for LAP-BAND® System Procedure When All Other Conservative Weight-loss Therapies Have Failed

(IRVINE, Calif., February 16, 2011) –

Obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, second only to smoking.

To view Lap Band Patient testimonials, visit our surgical site at https://www.surgicalartsinlandempire.com/lap-band-patient-story-1.html

Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the expanded use of the LAP-BAND® System, Allergan’s gastric band, for adults with obesity who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives, such as diet and exercise and pharmacotherapy, and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30-40 and at least one obesity related comorbid condition.

Currently, approximately 37 million Americans have a BMI of 30-40 and at least one comorbid condition,1,2 underscoring obesity as a growing health epidemic in the United States and the need for additional effective treatment options. 3 Given its known correlation to life-threatening comorbid conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even premature death, obesity is a disease that requires medical treatment. Medical research has found that, if left untreated, those individuals who are currently obese will likely remain obese.4 However, not all weight-loss treatments are effective over the long term – as a preponderance of data, published literature and scientific research have found that diet and exercise is unsuccessful in 80-85% of patients at one year.5,6

“As a surgeon, I see patients every day who have been obese for years and have tried several diet and exercise programs without success,” said Robert Michaelson, M.D., Ph.D., Northwest Surgical Weight Loss Surgery, Everett, Washington, and Clinical Trial Investigator. “These patients frequently feel judged by their weight, as obesity is often viewed as a lack of will power, which it is not.

Obesity is a disease, which requires medical treatment, but unfortunately diet and exercise alone do not work for everyone. The LAP-BAND® System meets an unmet clinical need, as it provides an effective treatment option, which is used in combination with diet and exercise, to enable sustained weight loss.”

To view Lap Band Patient testimonials, visit our surgical site at https://www.surgicalartsinlandempire.com/lap-band-patient-story-1.html