Does anyone have any information about the differences between the bands?

Advantages to each?

Negatives to either?

I have read that American doctors do not like to work on the Swedish bands due to lack of FDA approval (I know its pending but do they have an eta?) so it makes it harder to get fills state side but are there technical differences that would make this a risky choice? etc.

Thanks guys!

Hi, Vera (currently at the Vegas Bandster Bash) has the Swedish band and can give you some info. on it. I have the Inamed, was put in by a local surgeon. Inamed has their own website. I believe Johnson and Johnson is pending FDA approval on the Swedish band for here in the states. You're very wise to do as much research as possible now! Best of luck to you on your journey!

Magster:

The only real "advantage" at the moment for the Inamed product is its FDA approval status. Once J&J's subsidiary, Ethicon, gets FDA approval for the Swedish band then there will be plenty of docs in the U.S. willing to do both the surgeries and the follow up.

I have read my weight in journal articles comparing the two bands and neither has any more of a significant downside than the other. Erosion rates are practically the same and both success and failure rates are practically identical.

Its more important for you to find a doctor that you are comfortable with who has significant experience in placing the band and has a good reputation for follow up.

Good luck in your search.

Hi,

My surgeon uses both, in Australia they are both readily available and have been for a number of years. I chose to have the swedish band for two reasons - one it is soft all over and I liked that as everything inside me is soft too, and two it holds more fluid.

Hope this is of some help...

Hi Mag, Marie, Jodie and Jock,

Difference in the Inamed and J&J Swedish band The J&J band is 11mm tall about a ½ inch. The standard Inamed band is 9mm tall about 3/8 inch tall. I don’t know about the Inamed Vanguard band, which is said to be larger, or if it’s any taller then their standard band? The J&J band is wrapped and clasped like a tiewrap with notches….avoiding a buckle. It will pop open under extreme vomiting apparently to prevent slippage. I don’t know if that’s a good feature, just listing this I’ve read. Also, the J&J port is titanium.

I spent my first few banded months comparing my band to the Inamed and the placement is the same, they work and function the same. I just get larger fills…I could be at about 7cc’s and will find out for sure on 11/11 under fluoroscopy.

As far as erosion rate between the 2 bands, I would like to see the documented facts.

I am fortunate to have a follow-up doctor within 20 miles that will service a Swedish band. I’m very pleased with my results thus far and happy with my decision to be banded.

Magster:

The only real "advantage" at the moment for the Inamed product is its FDA approval status. Once J&J's subsidiary, Ethicon, gets FDA approval for the Swedish band then there will be plenty of docs in the U.S. willing to do both the surgeries and the follow up.

I have read my weight in journal articles comparing the two bands and neither has any more of a significant downside than the other. Erosion rates are practically the same and both success and failure rates are practically identical.

Its more important for you to find a doctor that you are comfortable with who has significant experience in placing the band and has a good reputation for follow up.

Good luck in your search.

Slight hijack! Welcome back Laserjock! LTNS. How is your wife doing?

Slight hijack of a hijack. LOL Correct me if I'm wrong. But isn't our Tricia, Laserjock's "Better Half"?

Hijacked response....

Marie,

You are correct....I'm Laserjock's "better" half....hope to be half of Laserjock's better half soon

leatha,

I'm doing fine. Started struggling with some reflux problems at night that I'm thinking might be related to my last fill being too much. I'm going to have to break down and call the doc and possibly have some removed.

Hijacked response....

I'm Laserjock's "better" half....hope to be half of Laserjock's better half soon

So, Tricia, that would make you Laser's better quarter, then! LOL

Hey, please keep on top of that reflux problem! My second fill kicked in about a week after I got it. I started pbing on Water. Had just .2cc removed. It's fine now.

Marie

"better quarter" hehe

I called my doctor's office this morning about the reflux problem, he's in surgery, but I should hear something back today. I didn't sleep at all on Saturday, and got very little sleep last night. It's awful and a bit scary.

I'm glad to hear that removing a little of your fill has helped you. I PB'd on yogurt last week, I thought that was a bit odd. I tend to slime (eeeww) quite a bit also. It would not surprise me if the doc wants to take some out. I just don't want to lose the restriction, BUT it aint worth the reflux if that's what's causing it.

Thanks for the encouragement....

Tricia, try not to eat anything at least 2 hours prior to lying down. Also, have the head of your bed elevated. Those both should help w/ acids flowing back up your esophagus. Hope this stops very soon for you!

Tricia,

Thanks for clarifying. I do recall your posting this somewhere in the back of my mind. However, I must admit my total memory is definitely lacking in my advanced age . Seriously, I've had MRI's, EEG's, psychometric testing. It sucks, but I look better! lol.

leatha

I totally understand :laugh

Marie,

Reflux is much better. Started taking Prilosec and proping pillows under me while I sleep. I think everything is getting better. I don't seem to have that uncomfortable feeling when I eat anymore (whew)

I have a lot of restriction, but I no longer feel that I'm over filled. Thanks for your concern.

Sorry for the TOTAL hijacking of this thread.

Hi ya,

you may have already found all you need regarding this matter...I managed to find some pics - don't know if you are interested. The first one is the swedish one, the second one is the lapband.

I live in Las Vegas, where there are only 3 band doctors. They all refuse to work on any patients but their own as far as port problems, slippage, erosion, etc. But one of them will do fills on Mexican patients - just fills, but he won't do work on Swedish bands. I got my Inamed band in Mexico, so maybe that's why he'll do Mexican fills?