A releasably-securable gastric band (12) having a tail end (10a) and a headend (10b) for receiving the tail end (10a) is disclosed. The gastric band (12)also includes a releasable locking means (20) that releasably secures the head(10b) and tail ends (10a) together. The tail end (10a) may include a tooth(14) and the head end (10b) may include a notch (22) for engaging the tooth(14). Upon insertion of the tail end (10a) into the head end (10b), the tooth(14) mates with the notch (22) and releasably locks the tail end (10a) in thehead end (10b). The releasably-securable gastric band (12) includes a releasetab (24). When force is applied to the release tab (24) in a directionperpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band (12), the tooth (14) isdisengaged from the notch (22) to allow the gastric band (12) to be released.
