Allergan already sells a stomach band, a permanent implant placed around the upper portion of the stomach to reduce the amount of food that can be ingested, that the FDA approved for use by very obese patients in 2001. Allergan recently applied for FDA approval to use the band for less obese patients.
The Lap-Band is currently approved for patients with a body mass index of at least 40, or 35 if the patient also has one or more severe co-morbidities.
Allergan is asking the FDA to approve the Lap-Band for all patients with BMI of 35 or higher, or 30 if the patient has severe health problems.
Read the Daily Finance report on the Allergan request for Lap-Band approval.
Read more on FDA approval:
–B. Braun Medical Facility in Switzerland Receives FDA Approval
–FDA to Revoke OK of Menaflex Knee Implant, Citing Meddling by Congressmen, Former FDA Commissioner
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