Certification

Standards and procedures for prospective LAP-BAND AP^® System surgeons

Surgeons who want to perform the LAP-BAND AP^® System must meet certain standards. To begin with, they must already possess advanced laparoscopic skills. However, the obligations of a LAP-BAND AP^® System surgeon go beyond the operating room. Surgeons must be able to identify patients who would be good candidates for the surgery and must be prepared for long-term follow-up with those patients.

Allergan holds educational workshops on the LAP-BAND AP^® System to help surgeons learn about all aspects of the procedure from patient selection to access port adjustment. Prospective LAP-BAND AP^® System surgeons must be proctored on their initial procedures by an Allergan-approved proctor. Normally, two proctored surgeries are required before a surgeon can be certified to perform the LAP-BAND AP^® System surgery. Proctoring should take place within one year of the initial workshop date otherwise the surgeon will have to attend a second workshop.