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

My dad and step mom have had a 4 cc band for the past 6 years. Great success no complications at all!

Dads down 200 pounds and my step mom is down 120 both have hit their goal .

I'm definitely not an expert...but if I had to say if my band is kind of tight right now (perhaps versus how other larger ones would have been if I had a larger one put in me)....I would say have to say that would be true. However, just speculation because I didn't have a large band put in me.

The reason I say this is because I was looking at the x-rays from the barium swallow and not much barium got through over a 45 second span of the x-ray snapshots compared to what was still in my esophagus (yes...they gave me the xrays to take home with me). After asking the technician, he said it is less barium then normal that he has seen in the past the band...but the Doctor will give you the right opinion.

Well, when I asked the Dr. about this he said...."Yes...its lesser than normal...but you will be fine. We have seen that level before". For better or worse....that is what the doctors said and this is my personal assessment that these 4cc bands can feel a "little tight". Hopefully, this could be a good thing in terms of band success/restriction ...even when considering the negative potential (e.g. slip) is negated by special technique Dr. Kuri uses.

Just sharing all of this for what it is worth to you all....

Success,

MD

I have a 10 cc band and I've had alot of issues with it. My surgeon was awful.

Yes you are much tighter then someone like me who has a big band. But honestly the only diffrence really is a. 5cc in you is like 2.5 ccs for me. Follow your meal plan laid out by your doc for liquids and then mushies and so on and all should be well.

I have a 10 cc band and I've had alot of issues with it. My surgeon was awful.

Yes you are much tighter then someone like me who has a big band. But honestly the only diffrence really is a. 5cc in you is like 2.5 ccs for me. Follow your meal plan laid out by your doc for liquids and then mushies and so on and all should be well.

Thanks Krussell !!!

Thought this was interesting commentary about the 4cc band. The article came out yesterday. Not saying this is gospel by any means....but interesting information nonetheless. I would share the link...but the forum does not allow me to share a link for some reason. If you want the link....just pm me privately.

Main Snippets of the Article regarding the 4cc Band

1. Get a replacement band - My surgeon looked me in the eyes and told me straight up -- I WILL NOT LIKE the NEW AP BAND. He says the 4cc band IS A LOT BETTER than the newer AP bands, now this is first time a surgeon has admitted this to me. He says the problem is with the new AP band it's hard to get restriction and harder to lose weight with newer AP band than the older 4cc bands, because with the AP bands there is something built in, (I forgot what he told me..lol) that prevent pressure from the stomach. My 4cc lap band WILL STOP me from eating, sort of like a brick wall, he says there IS NO BRICK wall with the AP band. He says the primary reason for not using the older bands anymore is that they were more prone to band erosions long term than the newer AP bands, but it was a payoff – My surgeon says that the AP bands are less effective than the 4cc bands. But I mentioned some people are happy with their AP bands, but he says -- yes they are happy because they've never had the old bands to compare with. So I guess this could explain why there were NO band bashing prior to 2007, most lap banders were very happy when I got banded and I really miss that and the excitement of everyone, they either had the 4cc or VG bands.

That is interesting.

BTW what Dr Kuri does with sutures is not unique, all Drs suture the band into place to try to prevent slips.

That is interesting.

BTW what Dr Kuri does with sutures is not unique' date=' all Drs suture the band into place to try to prevent slips.[/quote']

Yep, My band was suture in also. Plus my hernia got a few stitches too!

That is interesting.

BTW what Dr Kuri does with sutures is not unique, all Drs suture the band into place to try to prevent slips.

Yes...but apparently he does 1 or 2 others that others typically don't do. He does boast a very low slip rate .02 versus the average 2-3% national slip rate. He is either lying or is he is telling the truth...I tend to side that is telling the truth. But who knows really in the end...

Success to you Elcee,

MD

Thought this was interesting commentary about the 4cc band. The article came out yesterday. Not saying this is gospel by any means....but interesting information nonetheless. I would share the link...but the forum does not allow me to share a link for some reason. If you want the link....just pm me privately.

Main Snippets of the Article regarding the 4cc Band

This I what I've kind of worked out myself through my years here. Back in 2005, nobody talked about taking monhs to get restriction.

But if it meant the inference between going 5 years with your band or 25, which would you choose?

My hubby has a 10 cc band and in my opinion, eats like a non banded person - slower and less than before but fast and large portions to my 4cc eyes. He lost about 50% of his excess weight, but he eats what he wants, doesnt diet and oesnt exercise. He looks fairly normal, meaning fat but not hugely obese. Not Roth the surgery if you add me.

My 4cc band is seven years old, but I do ave a slightly stretched pouch.

Yes...but apparently he does 1 or 2 others that others typically don't do. He does boast a very low slip rate .02 versus the average 2-3% national slip rate. He is either lying or is he is telling the truth...I tend to side that is telling the truth. But who knows really in the end...

Success to you Elcee' date='

MD[/quote']

Well to know for sure you'd gave to interview the other typical doctors right?

My surgeon stitched the bottom part of my stomach to the pouch also to prevent slipping. I've read on here that a lot of surgeons do that.

I'm just saying I don't think your doc invented the wheel, he just may be good at using it.

A lot of these techniques are developed in USA or Europe. I don't think they pass their developments on to doctors in Mexico first.

One of the issues with the old band too was with the inflatable part of the band. It didn't go all the way around and it was proned to kinks and erosion. . Also, the tube was made in separate pieces so it could detach from the port or from the band.

I studied in length all bands and their evolution before making my decision. I interview 3 surgeons as well.

I ended up settling on the realize band. I hear its takes longer to get to the green zone though which didn't matter to me until I got hungry post -op

A lot of these techniques are developed in USA or Europe. I don't think they pass their developments on to doctors in Mexico first.

Actually, surgeons in Mexico and Latin America have been doing band surgery a lot longer than surgeons in North America and I don't think it's fair to portray Mexican surgeons as snatching crumbs from the medical technology table.

Current band design, development, and surgical techniques originated in Europe and Australia. The Realize band is a version of the Swedish band, with its origins in (of course) Sweden. The United States showed up late to the adjustable gastric band party. I'm proud to be an American, but American technology is not necessarily superior technology.

From a business standpoint (since companies like Allergan and Ethicon Endo are in business to put money in the pockets of their shareholders), it doesn't make sense for band manufacturers to sell product in Mexico but withhold important product information from customers (surgeons/clinics) there. To do so would just about guarantee poor patient incomes, damage the reputation of the product, and kill the business potential of that market. Of course there's the whole issue of international dumping practices - the USA imposes high customs tariffs on cheap product from countries with a history of dumping product at below-market prices, but doesn't seem to have a problem doing that to other countries - but discussion of that would probably put everyone on LBT to sleep. (Next time you're suffering from insomnia, let me know.)

No one asked, but I'll say nonetheless that I wouldn't choose to have any kind of surgery in a foreign country, based on my personal experience of being ill and needing medical attention while traveling overseas as well as a number of other challenges that anyone (American, Mexican, Australian, Lithuanian, whatever) faces when visiting a country whose native language is not their own native language. Plus then there's the challenge of finding a surgeon at home to do fills and aftercare.

If we can say nothing else about MarketingDude, we can still say that he did a lot of research in the course of several years before choosing to go to Mexico for his band surgery.

I'm not saying I'm right by any stretch...but did a lot of research on the Mexican Doctors (e.g. called former patients, talked to staffs, heard peoples comments here ect...). However, I didn't research the bands that they place as I didn't think I needed to. But when I got the 4cc band....I took a step back and was kind of surprised as I thought I would get the 10cc band.

Needless to say...this is going to be one interesting ride.

God is good,

MD

I had my band done in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz on Oct 4th. My band is FDA approved Realize 11cc.

For those of you that didn't do your bands in Mexico please don't judge the entire country as using discountinued lap bands. That is not the case always. There are many reputable doctors in Mexico that use FDA approved bands.

I'm just saying if you choose to go out of the country I would highly recommend doing a lot of research as I did on the band & doctors.

I had my band done in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz on Oct 4th. My band is FDA approved Realize 11cc.

For those of you that didn't do your bands in Mexico please don't judge the entire country as using discountinued lap bands. That is not the case always. There are many reputable doctors in Mexico that use FDA approved bands.

I'm just saying if you choose to go out of the country I would highly recommend doing a lot of research as I did on the band & doctors.

My surgery with dr ortiz is dec 3/12. I'm so excited! How was your experience if you don't mind me asking? I was totally hesitant at getting a surgery in Mexico too initially, but after tons of research like marketing dude I am confident with my decision. For me I felt as though I had to do the extra research for myself, to put myself at ease BECAUSe I wasn't haven't it done locally. So the initial thought of some may be that us Mexican Laplanders jump to a different country to have less than excellent care or

Product for a cheaper price is false:) not that anyone said that, but that was my initial assumption way back when too before I did the work finding out otherwise:)

Yep, My band was suture in also. Plus my hernia got a few stitches too!

me also mad. many with my band, hernia repair and plication

call me suture princess haha

Oh, nice to hear from another of Dr. Ortiz's patients. My experience with Dr. Ortiz and his staff has been amazing. Very clean and nice facility. My travel was easy because I live in San Diego county. I was home same day....

My incision area is still sore to laugh, sneeze, etc. But I also had hernia repair so I'm thinking that's why... I am very happy and getting closer to Day 21 so I can finally eat....

I would highly recomend Dr. Ortiz if anyone is thinking of going to Mexico.

Feel free to send me messages if any questions. So far so good. Down 10lbs post op.