People keep asking me if I have the NEW band? What is that? All I know is I have the 4cc Inamed Lapband. Whatever the new one is, they keep trying to make me feel bad about having the "old" one - which I don't even know if I do...

Thanks

There are now a few different versions of the Lap-Band on the market, and another is coming out next month. It doesn't matter which one you have if it's working FOR YOU. There's no point in comparing one band with another. Your doctor makes the choice for you based on your anatomy.

Attended a seminar at NW hospital in Seattle. Have a consultation with Dr Chebli scheduled for the 21st. At the seminar he mentioned a Swedish band that expects FDA approval before the end of the year. If I learn more, I'll post, but interested if anyone knows anything about these differences - (although I do agree that if it works, it works!)

When I went to my pre-op appointment a week or so ago, they let me know that my husband and I will be getting a new version of the band.

This band will have the silicone ring all around the band. So basically the portion that did not "inflate" before is now the same as the rest of the band. My doctor said this led to a decreased chance of errosion and a "slightly more aggressive weight loss" due to increased tightening all around. I haven't been able to find ANY information about it online, so I'm really hoping he's right. If anyone does find any information online, I'd LOVE to see it.

I think Alexandra is right though, if your band is working for you, who cares which you have.

I think it might be called an "ap" band. i'd like to find out more too, since I'm getting banded in July and may be recieving it! I want to know what to ask my doctor about, or at least how to respond intelligently if he mentions it at my next appt.

Evilah

I was banded May 8th and recieved the samller AP band and low profile port... (I first heard about it on this board in April, talked to the company, my surgeon and doc.) ...the "selling" point for me was that in the even of complication/revision it is apparantly eaiser for the surgeon to unlock/access. The other thing that made good sense to me was the full 360 deg of compression as opposed to 280ish with the other band -- it just seemed to make good logical/mechancial sense. The company will be publically announcing the AP bands at the the week of June 11th at the Bariatric Conference in San Diego. Whether or not it's better -- who knows -- I just know it was the right decision for me.

With that said I recognize any band is just a tool and if you work with it it works -- if not, there lie the problems.