Nationally renowned bariatric surgeon performs first vertical sleeve gastrectomy using TransEnterix SPIDER® Surgical System

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. – Dr. Brian B. Quebbemann, one of the country’s leading experts in minimally invasive bariatric surgery, has successfully performed a single-incision vertical sleeve gastrectomy using the SPIDER® Surgical System.

This marks the first time the SPIDER Surgical System has been used to perform this procedure. Released on a limited basis beginning in March, SPIDER has been used by surgeons to perform other procedures including colon re-sections, kidney and gallbladder removals, and gastric banding.

Quebbemann performed the operation at the Advanced Surgical Partners Surgery Center in Costa Mesa, Calif.

A vertical sleeve gastrectomy – typically reserved for severely obese patients – dramatically minimizes the size of a patient’s stomach and is one of the fastest growing forms of bariatric surgery. Before using SPIDER, Quebbemann relied on conventional laparoscopic techniques and equipment that required his making five separate small incisions in a patient’s abdomen.

Quebbemann is surgical director at The N.E.W. Program in Newport Beach, Calif., a medical and surgical center that offers a comprehensive, multi-specialty team approach to patients battling weight disorders. He commended how well the SPIDER platform minimizes physical stress on patients while also providing complete intra-abdominal access for surgeons.

“Instead of making several incisions for surgical instruments, I simply make one small incision that’s hidden in the patient’s belly button and insert the SPIDER,” Quebbemann said. “I then expand the internal portion of the device, similar to expanding an umbrella. This allows me to clearly see the anatomy and accurately perform the operation. When I’m finished, I close the system and remove it through the small incision, leaving almost no visible scar.”

SPIDER’s proprietary expansion technology is unique – it is not available in any other surgical device today. In addition, SPIDER contains four working channels through which the surgeon inserts a camera and instruments. Two of the channels are flexible, providing surgeons with true left and true right instrumentation, a marked contrast to other single-port instruments that force a surgeon to cross his hands to operate.

“The benefits of SPIDER are truly significant,” Quebbemann said. “Not only is the patient’s pain minimized and the recovery faster, but there is a remarkable cosmetic benefit of undergoing weight loss surgery with essentially no visible scar.”

Since opening The N.E.W. Program in 2000, surgeons there have performed more than 3,000 minimally invasive bariatric procedures. A long-standing member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Quebbemann is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a member of the North American Society for the Study of Obesity and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

TransEnterix, a fast-growing medical device company, created the SPIDER Surgical System. TransEnterix partners with leading medical thought-leaders to rapidly develop pioneering technologies that advance minimally invasive surgery. To learn more, visit www.spidersurgery.com.

Two years after teens undergo bariatric surgery for morbid obesity, abnormalities in their hearts that put them at increased risk for heart attacks in adulthood were dramatically reduced, thanks to significant weight loss.

A Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center study shows that the size of the left ventricle in morbidly obese teens dramatically decreases within six months of weight loss and maintains that decrease two years post-surgery. In addition, diastolic dysfunction — the way the left ventricle fills with blood when the heart is relaxing — remains significantly improved.

The study was presented on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando. Holly Ippisch, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at the Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute and the study’s lead author, also will discuss her study at 2 p.m. that day as part of a news conference in the news media center at the AHA meeting.

“Left ventricular hypertrophy – an increase in the mass and wall thickness of the left ventricle – and diastolic dysfunction are associated with an increased risk of cardiac events, such as heart attacks, in adulthood,” says Holly Ippisch, MD, “Many extremely obese teens have a form of hypertrophy thought to carry the highest risk in adults. The exciting news is that after significant weight loss following surgery, it significantly improved.”

The study is among the latest in a continuum of research conducted at the Heart Institute focusing on childhood obesity as a risk factor for heart disease in later life.

Dr. Ippisch studied 83 adolescents who had undergone an echocardiogram prior to bariatric surgery. Of those teens being followed, 55 had echoes six months after surgery, 41 at one year, and 21 at two years after surgery. Changes in left ventricular mass and diastolic function improved significantly within six months and persisted 18 months later. The prevalence of teens with abnormal left ventricles decreased from 49 percent preoperatively to 24 percent two years after surgery.

“This is encouraging and suggests that early weight loss produces lasting improvements in cardiac risk factors,” says Dr. Ippisch. “Long-term follow-up studies are needed to determine whether these findings translate into reduction in cardiovascular disease during adulthood.”

Gastric bypass surgery at Cincinnati Children’s is reserved as a method of last resort for weight loss in extremely obese teens. It complements the Center for Better Health and Nutrition, an initiative of the Heart Institute.

The study was funded by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases – both agencies of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact: Jim Feuer, Tel: 513-636-4656, Email: jim.feuer@cchmc.org

The question most people want to know is: What’s the connection between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and diabetes, in the first place? How do these procedures reduce the severity of diabetes in certain patients?

Health Benefits of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

From everything I have read thus far, there seems to be three specific health benefits for diabetic patients:

The most obvious benefit (and the primary purpose of the gastric bypass surgery) is the caloric reduction that takes place following the procedure. Patients who undergo a gastric bypass will have a smaller usable stomach area. In other words, they will have a reduced capacity for food intake. This results in fewer calories consumed. According to research, this can help stabilize the levels of blood sugar, which in turn can help keep diabetes under control.

Most patients who undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery also lose a certain amount of weight. These results very from one patient to another, but in some cases the weight loss can be pretty significant. It is well known that weight loss can help with insulin resistance, which is another way these surgeries help with diabetes.

There are also some documented hormonal changes in patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery, and this is thought to have a positive impact on diabetes patients. But there is less documentation supporting this claim, so I’m not comfortable reporting it here.

The primary benefits (and the most well-documented benefits) are the first two listed above. Patients who undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for weight loss generally reduce their caloric intake, improve their blood sugar levels, and improve their insulin resistance. That is why such procedures can help get diabetes under control.

Think of a belt placed around your stomach and cinched tight. It would create two sections of the stomach. The upper portion would be much smaller, and you would therefore get a “full” feeling much sooner. You would eat less as a result of this restriction, and the weight loss would soon follow.

That is the theory of the Lab Band procedure. But a recent news story on an NBC News affiliate website challenges this theory. The article (and many others like it) gives a voice to Lap Band patients who have serious complaints about the procedure.

For example, this story quotes a former patient who did not lose any significant weight after her Lap Band procedure. Not only that, but she had serious problems with vomiting as well. “I vomited nearly every day for two years,” the woman said.  “Two years later, I had never lost any weight.”

Of course, this is just one person’s story, and some patients do experience good results from the Lap Band procedure, in terms of weight loss. But you need to understand that there are two sides to every surgical procedure, and the Lap Band is no different. It helps some people, while it seems to harm others. This is not me talking. This is just the reality of the situation. Do a Google search for Lap Band complaints and you will see what I mean. If you are considering this type of procedure, you need to do plenty of research to get the full picture.

The NBC News story goes on to quote Dr. Wade Barker (a Dallas weight loss surgeon), who concedes that a certain number of patients do not respond to the Lap Band procedure. The bottom line is that it works for some, but not for all.

We have added this to our list of Lap Band failure stories. If you would like to learn about similar scenarios, please visit the failure stories section of our website.

Dr. Livingston headed a study that compared the so-called Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence with regular hospitals that also performed weight-loss surgeries. According to his findings, the former has just as many complications and deaths as the latter. It leads us to ask the question, What’s in a name? Apparently, not much.

On the surface, they sure sound like the best possible option for bariatric surgery. After all, the very word “excellent” is a superlative — there is nothing better than excellence. But it seems that this fancy moniker doesn’t hold water. At least, not according to Dr. Livingston’s study. The study was published in the April 2009 issue of Archives of Surgery, a highly respected and peer-reviewed medical journal.

The stated objective of this study was to compare the success rates and patient outcomes from bariatric surgery centers with the “Center of Excellence” designation to other hospitals that did not have that designation. In other words, the study was conducted to see if there was truly anything excellent about the designated centers.

Related articles:

• Bariatric Doctors and How to Find Them
• What is a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence?

We make no judgments for or against these surgical venues. This website is neutral on the subject of weight-loss surgery and merely reports news related to that field.

Highly effective, minimally invasive procedure takes less than two hours and results in profound weight loss

Reno, NV (PRWEB) April 17, 2009 — Individuals considering weight-loss surgery can have adjustable gastric banding or gastric bypass surgery done safely in under two hours on an outpatient basis at an ambulatory surgery facility, according to a study in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (JSLS).

The obesity epidemic in the U.S. has led to a rapid rise in the number of bariatric procedures performed each year (205,000 in 2007 compared to 16,200 in 1992). Until recently, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (http://www.westernbariatricinstitute.com/default/weight_loss_surgery/weight_loss_surgery.html#A6) (LRYGB) were performed in a hospital setting. Little was known of the safety and feasibility of performing the surgical procedures at ambulatory surgery centers (ASC).

From 2002 to 2008 Kent Sasse, M.D., M.P.H., FACS and colleagues at Western Bariatric Institute initiated a study to determine the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on carefully selected patients at ASCs. They conducted 248 bariatric procedures (http://www.westernbariatricinstitute.com/default/weight_loss_surgery/weight_loss_surgery.html), specifically 210 LAGB and 38 LRYGB procedures.

Prior to surgery, the LRYGB patients had a mean BMI of 44.7 (seven patients had a BMI over 60), and in the LAGB patient group the mean BMI was 43.79. “Mean excess body weight loss in the LRYGB and LAGB after 12 months averaged 69.62% and 32.58%, respectively. Mean operating room time was 112.80 minutes for LRYGB surgery and 72.10 minutes for LAGB surgery. Mean length of stay was 22 hours 45 minute for LRYGB and 7 hours 18 minutes for LAGB,” the authors write.

“This marks a turning point in the battle against obesity, by shifting life-changing weight-loss surgery to the outpatient arena with minimally invasive surgery. This study further validates the hypothesis that an overweight person can safely undergo weight-loss surgery in about two hours, at an outpatient surgical facility, return home later the same day, take very little time off, and lose a large amount of weight,” says lead author, Dr. Sasse.

Dr. Sasse is the author of the book Outpatient Weight-Loss Surgery: Safe and Effective Weight Loss with Modern Bariatric Surgery (http://www.imetabolic.com/store/outpatient-weightloss-surgery-p-143.html) (360 Publishing; April 2009), a comprehensive, unbiased, and informative guide to today’s outpatient bariatric surgery. Dr. Sasse is a leading physician, and an acclaimed authority on surgical weight-loss procedures. He is founder and medical director of iMetabolic® also know as the International Metabolic Institute™ and Western Bariatric Institute, a nationally recognized ASMBS Center of Excellence.

Original press release

Dr. David Kim, a bariatric weight loss surgeon in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area, has been named by the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery as a Fellow of the ASMBS and one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

(Vocus) April 17, 2009 — David Kim, MD has dedicated his career to helping people overcome the damaging physical and psychological effects of morbid obesity. Founder and director of the Live Life Again center, a bariatric surgery practice offering procedures such as the LAP-BAND® System for Dallas - Fort Worth (http://www.drdkim.net/html/lapband.html) and Arlington-area patients, Dr. Kim helps hundreds of patients each year lose weight and turn their lives around. And the larger medical community has officially taken notice.

Dr. Kim recently earned recognition by two of the most prestigious organizations in the country. The American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) - the largest society for the specialty of Bariatric Surgery in the world - has named Dr. Kim a Fellow of the ASMBS, signifying Dr. Kim’s extraordinary record of service in his field. In addition to this distinctive honor, Dr. Kim was also recently named as one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly, a leading healthcare research and information company which publishes an annual consumer guide in which health professionals are evaluated and chosen by their peers in the medical field.

Dr. Kim is one of a very few bariatric surgeons in the country to hold the distinction of ‘Fellow of the ASMBS.’ Part of the organization’s mission is to improve the care and treatment of people suffering from obesity and related diseases; to advance the science and understanding of metabolic surgery; and to be the recognized authority and resource on bariatric and metabolic surgery. This is not the first time Dr. Kim has been recognized by the ASMBS. In 2006, he was designated a ‘Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence’, and recertified in 2007 through 2009. His Live Life Again practice has also been named a ‘Center of Excellence’ by the ASMBS, an honor only given to one out of 303 bariatric surgery centers. Dr. Kim’s is the first ‘Center of Excellence’ program in Fort Worth, and he says that after 2000 successful bariatric surgeries, the distinction is quite an honor. “We are very proud of this designation, because it means that we have performed numerous surgeries successfully. Our patients have amongst the lowest complication rates within the country.”

Dr. David Kim’s second prestigious designation recently came from the Castle Connolly guide to America’s Top Doctors. Named by a majority of his peers as an outstanding Dallas - Fort Worth bariatric surgeon (http://www.drdkim.net/html/about-dr-kim.html) the distinction follows Dr. Kim’s 2007 recognition as a ‘Top Doc’ in Fort Worth Magazine and as North Hills Hospital’s Physician of the Year in 2006.

Dr. Kim has established himself as a pioneer in the field of weight loss surgery in Dallas - Ft. Worth (http://www.drdkim.net/index.html). He is the first bariatric surgeon in Fort Worth to perform laparascopic gastric bypass, a procedure utilizing small instruments and tiny incisions to surgically treat morbidly obese patients. The laparoscopic gastric bypass is generally considered to be the bariatric surgery treatment that requires the most skill on the part of the surgeon. Dr. Kim is also one of the few bariatric surgeons in the U.S. to be chosen to perform the new REALIZE™ Band-C procedure, using laparoscopic surgery to implant an adjustable weight loss device around the stomach, creating a smaller stomach pouch and giving the patient an earlier feeling of fullness after eating less food.

The Live Life Again Center, overseen by Dr. Kim, is a comprehensive weight loss surgery facility designed to provide patients with a number of treatment programs to fight morbid obesity. Dr. Kim offers free seminars discussing a variety of procedures and issues related to obesity for patients considering surgical treatment, and the center offers support programs and lifelong aftercare to help those who have had surgery keep the weight off safely and effectively. He says everyone at the Live Life Again center has devoted his or her career to helping patients through the entire surgical process. “There are many issues that my patients will experience. We understand this because morbid obesity is a disease that affects the entire person, both body and mind. Because each person has specialized in their own field, together as a team we are able to address all of these issues so patients can maximally benefit after their operation.” Dr. Kim says bariatric surgery can help people who suffer from physical and emotional health issues largely due to their weight, and ultimately change lives for the better by assisting patients in living healthier lifestyles with an enhanced self-esteem.

For more information on David D. Kim, M.D., F.A.C.S., such as a detailed biography and an extensive outline of his procedures and support programs at the Live Life Again Bariatric Surgery Center, individuals can contact the facility at 35 Veranda Lane, Suite 100, Colleyville, Texas, 76034 - (817) 717-7447, or visit Dr. Kim’s website at www.drdkim.net.

Original press release

The General Healthcare Group, one of the largest health care providers in the UK, has seen a 30-percent increase in weight loss surgery cases from October of last year to February 2009.

Mr. Duff Bruce, who is a bariatric doctor in the UK, attributes the rise in surgeries to a couple of things: “These factors include increased awareness of the health benefits of surgery as well as a change in the public’s — and to some extent the medical profession’s — perception [of weight loss surgery].”

Thankfully, Mr. Bruce also goes on to say something we have been emphasizing for years. He reminds us that bariatric surgery treats the symptom of a problem (overeating and sedentary lifestyle), but does not treat the root problem itself. True success with weight loss surgery only comes when the patient makes certain lifestyle changes, in conjunction with the surgery itself. Thanks to Mr. Bruce for reminding us of that.

Learn More About Bariatric Surgery in the UK

If you are considering a surgical procedure for weight loss in the UK, we recommend starting your research with the British Obesity Surgery Patient’s Association (BOSPA). Their website can help you find a bariatric surgeon in the UK, and it also provides a wealth of information on weight loss surgery in general.

You can visit the BOSPA website here: http://www.bospa.org

As always, we strongly encourage you to research this subject extensively being before making a decision. Bariatric surgery has helped many people over the years, but it also has certain complications and risks associated with it. You should conduct your own research into this matter, and you should also ask your UK weight loss surgery specialist to educate you on the pros and cons. After all, it’s your health. So you need to be your own advocate.

Actually, depending on whom you ask, there is an alternate name for this procedure as well. According to the Franciscan Health System website, ROSE stands for Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endoscopic. I also found some names that combine the two mentioned above.

So in order to avoid confusion (including my own), let’s just refer to it as the ROSE procedure for this news story, shall we?

The procedure uses an endoscope that is manufactured by USGI Medical. It’s a long and slender device that is typically associated with less-invasive surgical techniques. It typically contains a surgical light and camera, which allows the surgeon to see the area of focus without making major incisions. The endoscope used for the ROSE procedure received FDA approval in 2008.

How the ROSE Procedure Works

When patients undergo gastric bypass surgery for weight loss, the stomach is essentially portioned or segmented into two areas. The usable portion becomes the smaller one, and this is what leads to the patients’ weight loss — they have a smaller stomach capacity and therefore a reduced appetite.

But over time, some patients begin to regain the weight they lost as a result of the bariatric surgery. This happens when the person’s stomach gradually stretches over time.

This is where the ROSE procedure comes into play. Through this technique, special instruments are inserted through the patient’s mouth and routed down into the stomach area. The surgeon uses an endoscope and surgical tools to fold and stitch part of the “stomach pouch” created during the initial gastric bypass surgery.

Because the surgeon gains access through the mouth, there are no incisions with the ROSE procedure, and therefore no scarring. It is similar to the TOGA procedure in its manner of oral entry.

## Begin press release ##

Allergan, Inc. and Lindora, Inc. Partner to Provide Customized Weight-Loss Support Program for Patients Following Gastric Banding Surgery

– Online Program Offers Dietary Counsel and Weight-Management Tools to Help Achieve Sustained Weight Loss –

IRVINE, CA., January 28, 2009 – Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) and Lindora, Inc.,  America’s leading therapeutic weight control program, today launched a new online weight-loss management program called, the LAP-BAND® System Therapeutic Lifestyle Change Program (LAP-BAND® TLC). The LAP-BAND® TLC Program was designed to address the specific needs of patients in adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet following the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System procedure and facilitate sustained weight loss. The Program will supplement the services provided by bariatric surgeon offices, and offer additional nutritional guidance by medical professionals and nutritionists and a suite of online weight-loss management tools, offering patients personalized support to help them lose weight. The LAP-BAND® TLC Program is offered exclusively to post-surgery LAP-BAND® System patients and is available via www.lapband.com and through bariatric surgeon offices across the country.

“Making the decision to undergo the LAP-BAND® System procedure is a life-changing decision, as many of these patients have lived for years with a life compromised by obesity, “said Robert Grant, corporate vice present and president of Allergan Medical, a division of Allergan, Inc. “Given the significance of this decision, the patient faces several challenges from emotionally preparing for surgery to adjusting to the diet and lifestyle modifications required after. Therefore, to surround patients undergoing the LAP-BAND® System procedure with best-in-class tools to ensure successful weight management, we partnered with leaders in this space to create a program that will meet their needs by providing nutritional guidance, tips on necessary lifestyle changes and keeping them engaged throughout their weight-loss journey.”

The LAP-BAND® TLC Program reflects Allergan’s TotalCare™ approach to patient care, providing support through every step of the patient journey – pre- and post-surgery. Currently, Allergan offers an online patient support program, My LAP-BAND® Journey, available on www.lapband.com. My LAP-BAND® Journey is an interactive and personalized support program that offers tools and services to support patients pre-and post-surgery. The LAP-BAND® TLC Program will complement Allergan’s post-surgery support program.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Allergan on the LAP-BAND® TLC Program and take comfort in knowing that we share a common goal of helping those suffering from obesity become lean for life,” said Cynthia Graff, President and CEO of Lindora.  “We’ve been impressed by the extraordinary commitment that Allergan is making to their patients by launching this new service. It incorporates many of the proven dietary and lifestyle principles that Lindora has developed over the past 35 years. Patients will, no doubt, recognize just how much ‘tlc’ (tender loving care) has been put into this new online support program.”

The LAP-BAND® TLC Program was built upon Lindora’s medical expertise in weight-loss management and customized to meet the specific needs of LAP-BAND® System patients. The Program services include: daily counseling on dietary and exercise habits by nurse coaches and health educators, psychological support to provide motivation, tools to adopt optimal eating patterns, as well as educational seminars on LAP-BAND® System-related topics, such as importance of a support network and post-surgery follow up.

“As a bariatric surgeon, a post-surgery support program is a critical component to a patient’s weight-loss journey,” said Sunil Bhoyrul, M.D., Surgical Associates of La Jolla, California. “In my experience, the gap for patients occurs during the time after surgery, where a patient had a LAP-BAND® System procedure, yet does not always feel prepared and ready to take on the daily challenges of adhering to a healthy lifestyle and manage the emotional and physical changes that occur following significant weight loss. The early experiences my patients have had with the
LAP-BAND® TLC Program have validated that it is an invaluable program to use, in combination with the services provided by bariatric centers, to give the education and motivational support patients need to lose weight and cope with the life changes following surgery.”

To learn more about the LAP-BAND® TLC Program go to, www.lapband.com.

About the LAP-BAND® System
The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System is the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved adjustable gastric band for use in weight reduction.  Used in more than 400,000 procedures worldwide, this reversible surgically implanted device has safely helped severely obese adults successfully achieve and maintain long-term weight loss.  The LAP-BAND® System is approved for use with severely obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more or for adults with a BMI of at least 35 plus at least one severe obesity-related health condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and asthma. The LAP-BAND AP® System, launched in 2007, is an evolution of the LAP-BAND® System. The LAP-BAND AP® System was developed to provide an additional tool to meet the needs of a wide range of patients and represents the most advanced technology currently available in gastric banding.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELEVANT INDICATIONS FOR USE, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, AND ADVERSE EVENTS FOR THE LAP-BAND® SYSTEM.

Indications: The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System is indicated for use in weight reduction for severely obese patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 or a BMI of at least 35 with one or more severe comorbid conditions, or those who are 100 lbs. or more over their estimated ideal weight. The LAP-BAND® System is indicated for use only in severely obese adult patients who have failed more conservative weight-reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise, and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have this surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

Contraindications: The LAP-BAND® System is not recommended for non-adult patients, patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, (e.g., inflammatory or cardiopulmonary diseases, GI conditions, symptoms or family history of autoimmune disease, cirrhosis), who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, who have alcohol or drug addictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant.

Warnings: The LAP-BAND® System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required at some time. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill, or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Patients should not expect to lose weight as fast as gastric bypass patients, and band inflation should proceed in small increments. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin, should be used with caution and may contribute to an increased risk of band erosion.

Adverse Events:  Placement of the LAP-BAND® System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body.

Band slippage, erosion and deflation, reflux, obstruction of the stomach, dilation of the esophagus, infection, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required.

Rapid weight loss may result in malnutrition, anemia, or other complications that may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation.

Important: For full safety information please visit www.lapband.com or call Allergan Product Support at 1-800-624-4261.

CAUTION: This device is restricted to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” including the statements by Robert Grant, Cynthia Graff and Sunil Bhoyrul, M.D., and other statements regarding the safety, efficacy and market potential of the LAP-BAND® System and the LAP-BAND® TLC Program. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Allergan’s expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, general industry, economic and medical device market conditions; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in the research and development and regulatory processes; challenges related to product marketing, such as the unpredictability of market acceptance for new medical device products; inconsistency of treatment results among patients; the potential for product or program failures; potential difficulties in manufacturing new products or creating new programs; and governmental laws and regulations affecting domestic and foreign operations. Allergan expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors can be found in press releases issued by Allergan, as well as Allergan’s public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under the heading “Risk Factors” in Allergan’s 2007 Form 10-K and subsequently filed Form 10-Qs. Copies of Allergan’s press releases and additional information about Allergan are available on the World Wide Web at www.allergan.com or you can contact the Allergan Investor Relations Department by calling 1-714-246-4636.

About Allergan, Inc.

Founded in 1950, Allergan, Inc., with headquarters in Irvine, California, is a multi-specialty health care company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices that enable people to live life to its greatest potential — to see more clearly, move more freely, express themselves more fully. The company employs more than 8,500 people worldwide and operates state-of-the-art R&D facilities and world-class manufacturing plants. In addition to its discovery-to-development research organization, Allergan has global marketing and sales capabilities with a presence in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit Allergan’s Web site at www.allergan.com.

About Lindora, Inc.

Cited as an authority by “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America ” and CNN as well as a number of nationally respected newspapers and magazines, Lindora Medical Clinics offers a multi-faceted, medically supervised program combining diet, moderate exercise and motivational tools to help patients become Lean for Life®. Emphasizing the philosophy of “Eat Better, Move More, Stress Less™” ” Lindora helps thousands of patients each day at its Southern California clinics as well as via online and workplace programs, books, products and telephone coaching for those opting to lose weight from the comfort of their homes.

Lindora partnered with Rite Aid to establish Lindora Health Clinics in select Rite Aid locations to increase public access to medically supervised weight control services as well as offer non-emergency, acute care services. In addition, Lindora is a co-founding member of the Convenient Care Association, an organization representing healthcare facilities that provide routine, non-emergency services to walk-in patients at pharmacies and retailers nationwide. Lindora is a member of the Partnership for Healthy Weight Management, a coalition composed of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission, Center for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, call (800) LINDORA or visit www.lindora.com.

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