A releasably-securable gastric band having a tail end and a head end for receiving the tail end is disclosed. The gastric band also includes a releasable locking means that releasably secures the head and tail ends together. The tail end may include a tooth and the head end may include a notch for engaging the tooth. Upon insertion of the tail end finto the head end, the tooth mates with the notch and releasably locks the tail end in the head end. The releasably-securable gastric band also includes a release tab. When force is applied to the release tab in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the gastric band, the tooth is disengaged from the notch to allow the gastric band to be released.
