How many different sizes of bands are there?

LaNalga · July 10, 2007

I'm curious, and well, getting a little paranoid. My surgery is scheduled for July 17th and I was wondering if the Dr. starts out with a band that is smaller and I adjust to it too quickly, how long before they won't be able to fill it any more? I think maybe I'm obsessing just a little too much! I'm really excited about my band, but am really nervous about how everything actually working. On one hand, I want a smaller band because I want to have restriction right from the get-go and on the other, I wonder if I have a bigger one and then they can't adjust it enough to get a good level of restriction.

Please!!! Someone tell me to just sit back and enjoy the ride! Or let me know how your's went and that this can work. Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

littleroo1 · July 10, 2007

I'm certainly no expert here, but I just had a conversation this morning with a surgical group about this same topic.

I was told there are two band sizes - small 10cm and the VG. They basically told me that it wouldn't be until the actual surgery that they would know which band to give you because it depends on your current stomach size. I'm not sure the choice is up to you, or doesn't sound like it anyway.

Regarding the fills, I was told the small band usually takes 1-4 fills and the VG usually takes 3-7 fills.

Have faith in your surgical group! They will take good care of you!

faithmd · July 10, 2007

There's actually many more bands than that out there. If you are in the US (I can't speak for bands used everywhere) there is only the Allergan LapBand in use, that Allergan LapBand comes in the following sizes, (NOTE the "cm" is the LENGTH and the "cc" is the Fluid CAPACITY):

9.75 cm (4 cc capacity)

10 cm (4cc capacity)

11 cm (9cc capacity)

Vanguard (10cc)

AP Small (10cc)-no info found on length, it's not even on my band box

AP Large (14cc)-ditto above

Your surgeon will make the determination once they get in there what size band to use. Just because we are fat does NOT mean we need a large band. Most often women have a tendency to need the smaller sized bands, and men usually need the larger ones. The reason for the size difference is the thickness of the stomach wall. They thicker the wall (men tend to have thicker walls), the larger band needed. But rest assured your doctor will choose appropriately.

esummersett · July 16, 2007

I was just banded on 07-11-07 with an AP large. Wondering why? I'm 5'2" and 215lb. If at the proper weight I would be considered petite.

If I understand you correctly, the surgeon chooses the band based on the "thickness of the stomach walls"? So, my surgeon thought I had a "thick stomach"?

If I have an AP large, does that mean it will take "more fills" (ie. number of times it needs to be filled to find the correct "sweet spot")?

I'm not even 1 week post op and am ? afraid to eat, that I may vomit. I had a hiatal hernia repair at the same time and think that this repair is now causing me to have espohageal spasms more than 20 times a day. I hope it has nothing to do with the band. (And yes I'm calling my doctor tomorrow about the spasms, if not I'll not get enough nourishment or sleep).