Does anyone know when and where the first Lap-Band surgery was here in the u.s., was it 13 to 15 year's ago. is there a web site stating this. just wondering. if anyone knows could you let me know...Thank's...Virginia

Virginia, the lap band was only approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. in 2001. Before that there were clinical trials and I know there are bandsters still active on boards here and there who were banded in trials as early as 1998. But long-term experience is only available by looking at other countries, where it's been the bariatric surgery of preference for quite a while.

Thank's for the reply, a freind of my mother n law said she got the lap-band in 1993, I told her i didnt think that was true, just trying to find out the truth...Thanks...Virginia:confused:

I remember band surgeries many years ago. But I don't think they were the same thing as the lap band we know today. As a matter of fact, I remember news stories about all sorts of complications and horror stories about them. There was no such thing as adjustable at that time. But I don't remember whether those news stories were from the US or not.

Virginia, your MIL's friend might have had a surgery called a VBG, vertical banded gastroplasty. That operation involved a non-adjustable band and has fallen completely out of favor due to poor results and complications.

My friend had the non adjustable band years ago, has had alot of problems & wants it removed but it is very complicated to do so.