Hi, here is my update. Saw the Prof. this week after a slip. He informed me that they dont reposition the band but always replace it, so I will be getting a new band.

He also told me a few interesting things. First, I dont have a slip as much as an extended/ stretched stomache. I said, well that`s definately my fault because I know I eat too much. To my surprise, he said, no, that is my fault, because we didnt educate you enough after you recieved your band. He is ademant that these days they have learnt that they werent stressing the importance of eatting small amounts, chewing well etc! So I will expect more lecturing this time!

Also surprising is that the Prof. told me a new band will be released soon. He has personally put in 100 already as he is part of the design team. This band is newer than the VG band, and hasnt been released yet. He might put the new band in me (Sept 3rd). I dont know what makes it different, but that its an improvement and very exciting. He indicated that it was better tollerated???!!!!

I look forward to ending my relationship with my current instrument of pain & suffering!

Wow, interesting. I'd love to know what's different about it. Not that I can do anything about it if it turns out to be better than what I already got! Hmmm...will bands start coming out with model years like cars?? "What do you have?" "I've got an '06 with 500 treadmill miles!!"

Wow, interesting. I'd love to know what's different about it. Not that I can do anything about it if it turns out to be better than what I already got! Hmmm...will bands start coming out with model years like cars?? "What do you have?" "I've got an '06 with 500 treadmill miles!!

hehe, its when they start being traded by seconhand band dealers which would worry me. The advance in technology is huge for these bands it is making it a bit more difficult for me as i havent a date for my band to be done yet... i dont feel like being guinea pig, unless its free

Curley, What symptoms are you having that made you suspect a problem? ...and how did your dr. diagnos the slip/stretched stomach?

My understanding is there are several different band that are used in Mexico already, but only one is FDA approved in the US. Maybe one of the bands already used else where are being ok'd for use here

I know that Ethicon bought a company that makes a Swedish band that has been used all over the world except for here.. It willbe coming to the US this year.. Can't recall the name right off hand...

Well, as for the symtoms, it was more a general not working of the band, or, it was hard work!!!LOL. So, basically I had a year of the band being too tight or too open. Gradually the amount of fill needed to make me too tight was microscopic. This meant that the band could no longer be adjusted. ie it was empty or too full. It took me a long time to come to terms that there was a problem, as I had been sailing along very well. An exray proved straight away that the problems werent in my head. I had a definate `extra` pouch that wasnt there before!!!

To be honest, I was a complacent bandster towards the end. Although pbing was something I avoided in the beginning, by the end I was doing it more than 3 times a day, with the help of my fingers. It became my normal routine. I have been living really badly food wise for over a year too.

The new band I mentioned has not been released by inamed yet. I am not saying it is better. The old band worked fine for me until it slipped. I just wanted to let you guys know that there are new designs in the pipe works. Maybe some of the many complications we see here will be addressed in the newer designs. Here`s hoping!!!

Thank you for the update. I hope your Sept 3 surgery goes well and I would be interested in hearing what post-op instructions you get after this surgery and how they differ from the first one.

Thank you, I will definately update you on my progress!