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Large band VS Small Band



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Most of the surgeons like the larger bands better. You just have more room to adjust. Mine used the 4 on me because I supposedly have a very small stomach. He said the band was really loose when he put it on so he couldn't justify the larger band. Well I was swollen and couldn't get anything down for a while. Now I'm on my second fill (1cc total) and I'm really tight. I wish I had the bigger one and he said that in hindsight he should have used the bigger one anyway and wouldn't use much of the smaller bands anymore. I'm was under 40 BMI at surgery but my mother in law was a higher BMI and got the 4ML band too. She's not having any issues at all and has had 3 fills with very little restriction. Everyone is different I guess

I wouldn't agree with that Cyndi. The choice of size is compared to the size of the person it is being used in. They have to go on the size of the stomach, I was told by my surgeon. Having a bigger band doesn't necessarily give you better restriction because it is bigger, but because it fits your stomach better. Most surgeons will tell you that they will have BOTH sizes ready in surgery so that they can fit each person as that person needs. One size fits all is kinda like one size fits all underwear...need I say more?? lol....

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Thanks for the responce and all of the responces. Since my last post I have had emergency Gallbladder removal surgery!!!! That may have been part of my problem!!!! I now believe after my second fil of .5cc (first fill 1cc) I had a Gallbladder issue that inflamed my stomach??? Still not sure? My lap surgeon also took out my GB. Yesterday was the 10 day post op visit and he took the opportunity to re-fill the .5cc that I had un-filled. I on Clear Liquids for a couple days and have my fingers crossed all will go well.

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yep your right, its all about anatomy and what ya look like on the outside has NOTHING to do with what your parts look like inside. I think it must kinda be like feet or something. A Big person can have very small feet and visa versa!!

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Hi, I just had my first fill. I had 1cc and the dr. made some reference to my having the larger band, I think. I have been having trouble getting anything down, even aspirin. I've also had a lot of burping. Do you know if this eases, or is this the way it is. I'm trying really hard to eat small bites and go slowly. Today I had Water come back up. This is not fun. Any advice?Sandy

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after most fills its advisable to stay on clear liquids for 12 to 24 hours. then go to softs for a few days before attempting normal foods. My doctor suggested warm broth, he said it relaxes the muscle. also after PBing I usually swell for several hours. Hope this helps

Lynn

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be very careful about taking asprin or Advil, you don't want to chance band erousion... ask you doc about what meds you should be taking for pain.

Lynn

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Lyndsey,

Thanks for the reply. I was taking Advil, but have now switched to Tylenol. I've been battling a flu-like virus since before my surgery and it just doesn't seem to want to go away.

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Lyndsey,

Thanks for the reply. I was taking Advil, but have now switched to Tylenol. I've been battling a flu-like virus since before my surgery and it just doesn't seem to want to go away.

This is what I do when I get flu like symptoms and it should work for you, even with the band. The only problem is to gather the ingredients could be a bit pricey but will last you a long time... around $80.

ingredients are all liquid except for chewable Vitamin c.

Samucol (elderberry extract)

Greatfruit seed extract (bottle looks similar to visine bottle but white)

Ginsing

chewable Vitamin C

orange juice

echinacea

All ingredients go in a small juice cup

2 full droppers of sambucol

2 full droppers of ginsing

2 full droppers of echinacea

15 drops of greatfruit seed extract

2-4oz of OJ

I mix it up really well to make sure the thicker liquids mix well and drink it.

It is not a very tasty drink but it works every time for me. the most I have had to have is 2 servings (one a day) before my symptoms were gone.

Give it a whirl.

P.S. not medical advice, just a tried and true home remedy.

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This looks really interesting, thanks. I've been in contact with a homeopath and she recommended that I start colosynthis (I'm not really sure what this is) and then I am also going to start something called kali carb. Tomorrow I'm getting a massage to try to speed along the process. This virus has been hanging around for over 6 weeks!

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Has anyone heard of a VG 7.5cc band? Thats what my doc said that I have.

BWD

I have never heard of a VG that only holds 7.5cc

What does your card say?

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Hi,

this is my first time posting and I am also interested in this thread. I was banded on 8/27 and I have the new 10cc APS band. I am the first patient my MD used this band on. He said that all the old bands were taken out of the or and replaced with APS AND APL. He explained to me that in addidition to the band going around a full 360 degress, they are also ribbed (for her pleasure) to prevent kinking when fully inflated. I always wonder how easy it is to put it in the same spot on every stomach you do. I am 19 days out and dont feel much restriction. I can eat almost anything, bread, rice, Pasta, chicken, less size portion but not the half cup like people talk about. He said he will not fill me til 6 weeks, which I am afraid to wait that long. I think with the bigger fill size when it is not inflated it is pretty open. I dont know.

Just my thoughts

Slimminmom:rolleyes:

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Ok I am thoroughly confused now. I did not get a card but will be asking for one at my next appointment. At my fill I was told that I have the VG (vanguard) band. I was worried that I would 'run out' of room for fills before I was at my goal and she told me that wouldn't happen. She said your first and second fills are usually more and then it is just 'tweeking it' after that. Ok so my question is this I have the VG 10 CM (I thought that it was cc's but she informed me it is CM). My first fill was 4.6 and my second fill was 2.4 so I have a total of 7 CC right? How many CC does this band hold? Has anyone else every heard of running out of band to fill?

I too like others I have read was told that many doctors use the VG band over the other bands because they seem to have better success with them. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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