does anyone feel that one is better than the other? i've been told that oriz only uses the 10cc band, so i'm assuming that's what i'm gonna get when i get banded dec 13th. it makes me fear that i'll need more fills than a 4cc band before i feel restriction. anybody?

thanks,

suki

do you mean the 10ml band? there are three inamed band sizes--11ml, 10ml, and 9.75ml

the 11ml has a capacity of 10cc's (I think) and the other two both have a 4cc capacity. My understanding of it is that they use the one that best fits your stomach -(maybe your doc uses the middle one?) when it comes down to it--they all give restriction--it just depends--i.e my first fill in a 4cc 9.75ml band was a 1.5cc fill--and someone with the 11ml band might get a 5cc fill--we'd each technically be getting about the same restriction---I hope that helps--and I am sure if I am wrong--someone will rescue me here--lol

Happy Journeying,

Okay, here's what I think I know. There are several band sizes and the sizes are measured in centimeters (cm) and the saline capacities are measured in cubic centimeters (cc's). There's the 9.75cm/4cc, the 10cm/4cc, the 11cm/10cc???? (not sure about this one) and the VanGuard (VG) band which holds 10ccs??? (again, not sure about the capacity).

I have been confused about the sizes and every time I think I have it straight, I get myself confused again. The only thing I'm sure about is that the circumference is measured in cm and the saline is measured in cc.

Shrina is right, though, about the fills. 2cc worth of restriction for me is 8cc worth of restiction for someone with a larger band. The biggest issue I have noticed is that it seems to take folks with the VG band more fills to reach good restriction.

I hope that helps (although I doubt it )

Any more opinions out there? Just know that whatever band you get is the one your doc thinks is right for your anatomy. Success is up to you, no matter what size your band! Good luck. Go get 'em!

Well, I wll tell you about my recent experiences, but the jury is still out. Last week I posted my first post entitled 'Vanguard band too big...". I was at 10cc's and could still eat just about anything. Friday I went back down to my doctor (acutally, I didn't even see the doctor-I saw a physician's assistant). He had to make 3 attempts to access the port and when he did, he drew out all the saline to see what was in there. He said there was only 7 and that I may have a leak. He said there might have been another cc or so in the tubing. He put back the 7 and 3 more cc's. By the evening I was belching and vomiting constantly. I could not even keep down Water. I woke up during the night choking from vomiting. In the morning I called my doctor's office who told me to go to the emergency room at Westchester Medical Center in NY. (about 1 1/2 hours from my house) They told me a resident would take out a cc for me. They said if I could find a closer hospital that had someone who did fills I could go there. Well, since my banding I had moved and there is a local lap band doctor in the next town over. I called the local hospital and explained the situation. They said Dr. Kwon was in surgery and they put me on hold and asked him if he would see me. He said he would. I went to the emergency room and Dr. Kwon was not able to access the port. He tried with ultrasound and still couldn't hit it. Then he tried under x-ray and it was clear that the port had flipped over. Two hours later I was in surgery for an emergency port replacement (the old one had holes on the side from misses during fills. Anyway, he took out all the saline so I am back to square one. He said the port was still under pressure so he doesn't think there was a leak. He said he wants me to have an EDG to rule out band errosion before we start filling it back up again. One big question in my mind was answered though. The Vanguard band is not too big to reach full restriction!! As for what band the doctors use...The doctor who did my surgery said he always uses the 10 cc band. He feels it is safer than the smaller bands. Its supposed to have a much lower incidence of slippage and band errosion. We shall see. What ever band you get, it is up to you to make it work. It is not a magic pill just a hugely helpful tool. Best of luck to you.

Cathy