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Large band VS Small Band

Hi fellow bandits,

I wanted to start a thread on this subject because I have the smaller of the two bands. My freind has the larger of the two bands. We are about the same weight and dont know why some docs use one or the other.

I was banded on 4/9/07. Had my first fill on May 24th he put in 1cc.

I was VERY tight and had problems eating most everything for about three weeks, LOTS of PBING!! My next visit I refused another fill, knowing I was still pretty tight. I had my next fill on Thursday the 12th of July the doc put in .5cc. I had some loose cream Soup for dinner that evening. Woke up the next morning took my meds they immediatly got stuck, not enough to PB but was uncomfortable for some time. Anyway by Friday evening I was having problems swalling Water, this went on all weekend. I called the docs service. the doc called back suggesting warm broth to relax the stomach. that didnt work and I ended up going in first thing Monday morning to have the .5cc removed. I had lost 8 lbs in 2 1/2 days. Not weight! I lost 8 pounds of Fluid and was very dehydrated.

I'm wondering if these problems are more likley to happen to people that have the smaller band, because I keep reading about people have 3 or more fills since their April surgery date with no problems. My friend is on her third fill without any overfill problems she has the larger band.

I'm kinda scared to go in for another fill !!!!

Hope someone out there has some infor for me.

Sorry so Loooooooong

Lynn:confused:

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  • Author

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.

  • Author

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!!

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

  • Author

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

  • Author

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

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.

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.

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!

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?

  • 1 month later...

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:

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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