Hi,

I just had my first fill today. I was told I had 3.5 cc's in my band and it's a small AP band. I was so unprepared for a fill (due to a skin infection near the port area that I've been fighting for the last month) that I was dumbstruck and forgot to ask what a small AP band holds. I see that some people have a VG band - I don't know what that is either.

I feel fine but am curious as to what I have inside of me.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me.

Jane

Hi

I have the same band. This band hold 10cc on saline. I am not sure what a VG band is either. Did your Dr. give you 3.5 cc's or was that amount in your band prior to filling. My band had 2.5 cc of air in it prior to my first fill. The doctor removed it and added 3.5 cc's of saline.

Good luck with your journey, I was banded on the 11th of July.

Michele

Hi,

He gave me 2.5 cc's yesterday- He said they put 1cc in when I was banded. Luck to you too!

Jane

Hi, I also have the small AP band, I had no fill at surgery, got a 2.5 cc fill last week and had no restriction so I went in today and got another 2.5 cc's. I am feeling pretty good right now, how about you?

Jackie

Hi I also have the small AP band ... my fill was 3.0cc and Doc said it held 10cc.. I feel no restriction yet.. :confused:

<p>All I can say is that I started liquids for 2 days after the fill and the gassiness returned. I always get this great big gas pocket in my back. The only physical difference I feel is the gas, so I think I am drinking too fast and there must be some sort of reestriction going on. I'll let you if I feel more of a restriction after eating some mushy foods this day.

</p>

I found this information on the Obesity Help website:

Allergan/Inamed has a new band in the US called the AP band. There are a couple of differences in this band and the previous ones:

1. Cuff - the cuff on the AP band is 360 degrees around, as opposed to about 300 degrees on the prior bands (there was no cuff around the buckle on the old ones)

2. Cuff length - the cuff on the AP band is 18mm longer/taller than on the previous bands, so the surface area in contact with the stomach is much greater, hopefully increasing the speed of weight loss and maybe reducing the risk of slips

3. Cuff volume - the AP small holds 10cc, the AP large holds 14cc

Note that we do not believe that AP patients will lose MORE weight, just possibly faster. So those of you with the older models, it would definitely not be to your benefit to think about having your band swapped out!

• <LI class=MsoNormal>They are either APS (small, 10cc) or APL (large, 14cc). <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered by some to be "the next generation in AGBs". <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered less likely to cause blockage or obstruction than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered less likely to slip than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered to be less likely to cause band erosion than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>Like the VG band it is "Omniform" technology - i.e. the balloon has ribs or baffles and the band itself is curved. <LI class=MsoNormal>The AP has more of a 360 inflation around the stomach as opposed to the 10cm or 9.75cm (4cc) bands, which have more like 260 or 280 degrees inflation (the rest being the buckle), and the VG which has more like 280 or 300. It is understood that this was simply an upgrade to the existing band to make it easier and less traumatic to remove. <LI class=MsoNormal>The silicone material is much softer than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>They are more concentric (rounded) when inflated than other AGB types. <LI class=MsoNormal>The balloon is pleated to 'grip' the stomach better. <LI class=MsoNormal>The balloon goes all the way around the inner surface of the band, rather than missing a piece at the locking mechanism. <LI class=MsoNormal>The balloon is wider. A sideview of the band shows the balloon protruding top & bottom rather than sitting flush. <LI class=MsoNormal>They have an easier release mechanism to remove the band if need be. <LI class=MsoNormal>They have the locking mechanism isolated from the stomach. <LI class=MsoNormal>AP type bands have been FDA approved for the US, but will not be available until the summer at the earliest. <LI class=MsoNormal>We understand that there are NO plans at this time to discontinue any of the bands Allergan already makes. They still plan to manufacture and offer the 10cm and the 9.75cm (the 4cc) bands as well as the VG band. <LI class=MsoNormal>new : AP ( Advanced Platform ):
  
• APS ( small)

<p>Jane</p>

Hi,

I just had my first fill today. I was told I had 3.5 cc's in my band and it's a small AP band. I was so unprepared for a fill (due to a skin infection near the port area that I've been fighting for the last month) that I was dumbstruck and forgot to ask what a small AP band holds. I see that some people have a VG band - I don't know what that is either.

I feel fine but am curious as to what I have inside of me.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me.

Jane

Hi, the APS (Small) band holds 10.0CCs, as does the VG (Vanguard or Vangard)

The APL (Large) band holds 14.0CCs.

The 9.75CM and 10.0CM bands hold 4.0CCs each.

How much the band holds, and how much is in the band does not matter.

What matters is if the amount in the band gives you EFFECTIVE RESTRICTION.