To date, over 300,000 devices have been sold worldwide, allowing thousands of patients to lose weight and keep it off, reduce health risks and live a happier life. We at Allergan continue to refine the LAP-BAND® System and placement technique in conjunction with surgeons around the world to achieve better outcomes for our patients.

Timeline<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>June 1986</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First use of open adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB)</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>April 1990</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First use of ASGB in Europe </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>December 1990 <TD height=25> </TD></TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>ASBG FDA-approved clinical trial started in the U.S. with the first patient surgery</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>September 1991</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First ASGB workshop in Europe </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>September 1993</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First laparoscopic adjustable gastric band used in Europe </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>March 1994</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First LAP-BAND® System workshop in Europe</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>June 1995</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>LAP-BAND® FDA-approved clinical trial started in the U.S. with the first patient surgery in the United States</TD><TD height=25> </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>June 2001</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>The LAP-BAND® System is approved by the FDA for use in the United States</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>April 2007</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>300,000 LAP-BAND® Systems sold worldwide. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Thanks for posting! Good to have a timeline for information for the newbies. We often get questions like "How is the lapband 10-20 years out?)....well, this just shows that because the procedure is still fairly "new", there probably aren't a LOT of studies available, and you will most likely not find anyone who has had the band for that extended period. The "oldest" band I have met is the girl who works with my surgeon. She has had hers for 7 years and was one of the first to get it when it was released in the U.S.