Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Dr. Kuri Put A 4Cc Band In Me - Is That Good



Recommended Posts

I know he knows what he is doing as he is the expert...but I heard some negative information regarding 4cc Alergang Lapband. Am I missing something here?

Surgery went great by the way...very impressed being that is is Iijuana, Mexico.

Blessings,

MD

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have never known of a person getting a fill at the time of surgery so I cannot comment... But glad to hear the surgery went well. My first fill to my empty band was at two mths post op.... I got 3 ccs ... I am now at 5.5 ccs

*******Editing because I realize I read your post wrong... Sorry... I don't know anything about that band but I am sure your dr knows what he is doing

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have never known of a person getting a fill at the time of surgery so I cannot comment... But glad to hear the surgery went well. My first fill to my empty band was at two mths post op.... I got 3 ccs ... I am now at 5.5 ccs

*******Editing because I realize I read your post wrong... Sorry... I don't know anything about that band but I am sure your dr knows what he is doing

The size of the ENTIRE band is 4cc. There was no fill in it at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Never heard of a 4cc total band. Wow. That's a lot of restriction.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A 4cc band is typical of ones they place in Mexico. To my knowledge, that size is no longer being placed in patients in the US.

Good to read that your surgery went well...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The 4cc band is the older model. It was superseded a couple of years ago. It seems they often use them in Mexico - presumably as they are old stock they got them cheaper. As far as I know they work but there is generally a reason for something being discontinued and a newer model introduced.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Best wishes and continued recovery on your band surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've got a 4cc band, never had a problem in seven years. What is likely is that you will find good restriction very quickly, unlike with larger bands. The trade off is that it is statistically slightly more likely to slip.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've got a 4cc band, never had a problem in seven years. What is likely is that you will find good restriction very quickly, unlike with larger bands. The trade off is that it is statistically slightly more likely to slip.

Interesting about the slip rate. I will say Dr. Kuri knows how to put extra sutres to make sure they don't slip. Not trying to defend but I do that he has a special technique to prevent slips and where the band absorbs into the stomach.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The old 4 cc band (like the one I had removed) is still used in Mexico and probably will go on being used there because Allergan sells it at a discount there, thereby increasing the profit made by bariatric clinics there.

My current surgeon says that the 4 cc band tends to be too tight even without fill in it, but some people feel it's "better" than larger bands because the smaller fill range makes it possible to achieve restriction faster. I think that's only the case when a surgeon doles out tiny fills to patients with the larger bands.

And at any rate, Dr. Kuri is the best person to tell you why he used the 4 cc band for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The old 4 cc band (like the one I had removed) is still used in Mexico and probably will go on being used there because Allergan sells it at a discount there, thereby increasing the profit made by bariatric clinics there.

My current surgeon says that the 4 cc band tends to be too tight even without fill in it, but some people feel it's "better" than larger bands because the smaller fill range makes it possible to achieve restriction faster. I think that's only the case when a surgeon doles out tiny fills to patients with the larger bands.

And at any rate, Dr. Kuri is the best person to tell you why he used the 4 cc band for you.

It was interesting to know that the girl who got banded the same day as me, also had a 4cc band in her. In fact, the 3 that got banded (the day after me) also had the 4cc band in them. I know this because we all rode in the van together on the way back to the San Diego Airport. So ....it seems Dr. Kuri primarily uses the 4cc band.

P.S. So far...so good...I lost 6 pounds so far in 3 days since being banded :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well since you asked for the truth, no doctor in the US will use the 4cc band because they were discontinued. They were found to result in a lot of problems and slips so Allergan discontinued them altogether in favor of the current larger ones.

However, Mexico still buys up the old discontinued model because they can get it cheap, hence why it's so much cheaper to be banded in Mexico than in the US. But, it's important to note this is also why so many US doctors refuse to touch or treat a patient banded Mexico. They don't want the medical liability of treating someone banded in a foreign country with discontinued, outdated equipment. (though obviously some doctors in the US do and will treat them).

Btw...don't shoot the messenger. I'm only answering your question ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well since you asked for the truth, no doctor in the US will use the 4cc band because they were discontinued. They were found to result in a lot of problems and slips so Allergan discontinued them altogether in favor of the current larger ones.

However, Mexico still buys up the old discontinued model because they can get it cheap, hence why it's so much cheaper to be banded in Mexico than in the US. But, it's important to note this is also why so many US doctors refuse to touch or treat a patient banded Mexico. They don't want the medical liability of treating someone banded in a foreign country with discontinued, outdated equipment. (though obviously some doctors in the US do and will treat them).

Btw...don't shoot the messenger. I'm only answering your question ;)

No ..your fine actually. One of the major reasons they have been discontinued (from my research) is their tendency to slip at higher rate than the bigger bands. I have amazing peace of the size of my band because Dr. Kuri (who is known for very slow slip rate) uses a technique of putting extra sutures ...suturing the band to the actual stomach. Apparently, very few doctors know or practice putting these extra sutures in.

P.S.

It was funny...my wife was taking a pictures during surgery...but was told to not take video. Well...she did sneak a video and was surprised he was playing classical music while he was operating on me. He must got this thing down to a science if he is playing classic music during surgeries. She said she was very surprised at what a family atmosphere the surgical team had in the operating room.....first greeting each other with a kiss. Definitely...a different flavor in terms of getting surgery in the US versus Mexico either way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×