A gastric band introduction device (10) includes an elongated support tube (12) having a handle (14) at a proximal end (16) thereof and an opening (18) for delivery of a gastric band (20) at a distal end (22) thereof. The introduction device also includes a transparent section (24) formed at the distal end of the support tube. A method for the pre-application inspection of a gastric band through the utilization of an gastric band introduction device is achieved by removing the gastric band introduction device from its packaging and initiating a check of the gastric band prior to introduction within the patient, the check including viewing of the gastric band through a transparent section formed in the introduction device.
