Public Service Announcement from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) regarding Discontinuation of the Ethicon Endo-Surgery Curved Adjustable Gastric Band (Realize/Swedish/SAGB)
Adjustable gastric banding (AGB) is an FDA and ASMBS approved bariatric surgery treatment. Ethicon Endo-Surgery ® has announced that they will discontinue manufacturing of the Curved Adjustable Gastric Band ® at the end of 2016. In order to facilitate protection of patient safety in the United States, ASMBS is releasing this public service announcement to facilitate communication and dissemination of information about availability of other AGB products, as ASMBS anticipates that patients and providers may wish to learn more about other available options.
Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. manufactures the only other FDA approved system for adjustable gastric banding in the United States. ASMBS has been notified that Apollo has no plans to discontinue the LAP-BAND® System. Furthermore, Apollo has suggested that they will facilitate transition to the LAP-BAND® System for those providers who wish to do so. Specifically, they will offer an inventory program that includes inventory exchange options with pricing considerations (in appropriate markets), and product training.
The following contact information is made available to the ASMBS membership to facilitate obtaining further information from Apollo.
Contacts:
United States: Brent Lloyd brent.lloyd@apolloendo.com 512 279 5161 (phone)
Canada: Cory Flaman cory.flaman@apolloendo.com 306 230 2345 (phone)
Latin America: Cristiane Puccini cristiane.puccini@apolloendo.com 5511 4280 2714 (phone)
Asia Pacific: Customer Service customercare.au@apolloendo.com 1800 082 586 (phone)
Europe/MEA: Customer Service orders@cs.apolloendo.com 0031 733 032 505 (phone)