The purpose of this study is to determine whether the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB) is safe, and effective in achieving weight loss in patients with Morbid Obesity.

Surgical treatment of morbidly obese patients is considered a reasonable option for achieving weight loss when more conservative measures, such as diet and exercise have failed. Not only can weight loss be achieved, but also reduction / resolution of a patient's co-morbidities associated with excess weight. Adjustable gastric banding provides a less invasive, reversible bariatric surgery option. The SAGB has been commercially available outside the United States for this indication since 1996. Commercial availability has led to extensive literature supporting the safety and effectiveness of the SAGB. Given the available literature, a prospective, single arm, multicenter, study in a heterogeneous population of morbidly obese subjects in the U.S. is being conducted.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Able to comprehend, follow and give signed informed consent;
• 18 to 60 years of age (inclusive);
• Five year history of morbid obesity;
• Body Mass Index (BMI) >40 kg/m2 and <55 kg/m2, or BMI >35 kg/m2 and <40 kg/m2 with one or more significant medical conditions related to obesity (co-morbid conditions of type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, or osteoarthritis of the hip or knee) for which the subject is being treated, and which are generally expected to be improved, reversed, or resolved by weight loss.
• 100 lbs. overweight or 1.5 times ideal weight;
• Documented failure of conservative, non-surgical means of weight reduction within one year prior to the Screening Visit, including failure of supervised diet, exercise and or behavior modification programs, and pharmacologic therapy;
• Willing to commit to significant lifestyle changes that include diet, eating, and exercise habits for the duration of the clinical trial;
• Able to commit to long-term follow-up, including band adjustment visits:
• Living within the contiguous U.S. and is within a 100 mile radius of the study center;
• Absence of significant psychopathology that could limit the subject's ability to understand the procedure, comply with medical, surgical, and/or behavioral recommendations, as documented during screening assessment;
• Agrees to refrain from any type of reconstructive surgery that would affect body weight such as abdominal lipoplasty or liposuction, mammoplasty, or removal of excess skin for the follow-up period following SAGB placement; and
• Candidate for surgical weight loss intervention (i.e., meets accepted health criteria for major surgery).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women of childbearing potential who are not practicing an effective method of birth control or who are pregnant or lactating;
• Previous malabsorptive or restrictive procedures performed for the treatment of obesity;
• Documented history of drug and/or alcohol abuse within two years of the Screening Visit;
• History of impaired mental status including, but not limited to active substance abuse, a history of schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, uncontrolled depression, suicidal attempts within the past two years or current suicidal tendencies or ideations;

• Presence of any of the following medical conditions;

  • Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including severe intractable esophagitis, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulceration, or specific inflammation such as Crohn's disease that have been active within the past 10 years;
  • Congenital or acquired anomalies of the GI tract, including atresias or stenosis,
  • Severe cardiopulmonary disease or other serious organic disease that makes the subject a high-risk surgical candidate;
  • Uncontrolled hypertension;
  • Portal Hypertension;
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus;
  • Chronic or acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding conditions, e.g. gastric or esophageal varices;
  • Cirrhosis;
  • Congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia;
  • Esophageal or gastric disorders including severe preoperative reflux, dysmotility, or Barrett's Esophagus;
  • Presence of hiatal hernia;
  • Prior surgery of the foregut including hiatal hernia repair or prior gastric surgery;
  • Chronic pancreatitis;
  • Immunocompromised such as that resulting from chronic oral steroid use, chemotherapeutic agents, or immune deficiency disorders;
  • Conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, may jeopardize the subject's well-being and/or the soundness of this clinical study;
• History or presence of pre-existing autoimmune connective tissue disease, i.e., systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma;
• Presence of terminal illness with life expectancy <5 years;
• Use of prescription or over the counter weight reduction medications or supplements within one month of the Screening Visit and for the duration of study participation;
• Acute or chronic infection (localized or systemic);
• Known or suspected allergy to silicone or other materials contained in the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band;
• History of intolerance to implanted devices;
• Not ambulatory; and
• Participation in another clinical trial within 8 weeks of the Screening Visit and for the duration of this trial.