Allergan comments on gastric banding study

Allergan has drawn attention to new research that suggests gastric banding can pay for itself in roughly two years for patients with diabetes.

Published in the Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases journal, the study indicated the cost of the weight loss surgery procedure should be offset by reductions in obesity-related medical costs within 2.25 years.

For patients who do not suffer from diabetes, the researchers found that initial costs of gastric banding should be recouped within four years.

Allergan believes the research should be viewed as an endorsement of products such as its Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System.

"This study is consistent with the vast findings from the published literature that support gastric banding as an effective and safe weight-loss surgery procedure," said Frederick Beddingfield, the company's vice-president of clinical research and development.

Led by Dr Eric Finkelstein of Duke University, the survey analysed healthcare claims data from more than 7,300 patients who underwent gastric banding and compared them with a control group of obese individuals who did not have the surgery.

Earlier this year, a study by researchers at the Center for Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery in Indiana was also cited by Allergan as evidence of the Lap-Band's status as an effective weight loss procedure.