Introducing the Easyband—
the Telemetric Adjustable Gastric Band (TAGB)
Since laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band) was introduced in the United States in June of 2001, thousands of overweight and obese people have had their lives changed for the better. In numerous studies, the Lap-Band has been shown to reduce or eliminate many of the health risks known to be associated with obesity and to increase life expectancy. For many people, the Lap-Band is not merely life-transforming, but life-saving.
The Lap-Band is a silicone device which works on the principle of hydraulics. An adjustment port is placed under the skin of the abdominal wall and, using a needle and syringe, the doctor can adjust the tightness of the band by either introducing or removing fluid from the system. Because adjustment always involves needle puncture of the access port, there is a risk of infection being introduced into the band and some patients find the procedure uncomfortable.
Now, there is a remarkable development in stomach banding technology which entirely eliminates the need to needle-puncture the access port with all the attendant risks. The Telemetric Adjustable Gastric Band (TAGB), also known as the Easyband, uses sophisticated electronics to close or open the band without the need for an access port of any kind. The access port is replaced by a simple electronic receiver or antenna, through which the telemetric signal is directed to either open or close the band.
The main advantages of the Easyband are: