I wasn't aware that there were different types of bands until after my surgery when my surgeon told me she use one type of band and not another.

I keep googling, but I am not having much luck. Can anyone point me in a helpful direction? :help:

TIA bandsters!

I'm also interested in this. Someone had recently posted thet the FDA had approved a Swesidh band. I replied requesting more info but did not get anything back.

THANK YOU for asking this question. I was meaning to get in and do a thorough search to see if I could find a thread here that explained it, I just haven't gotten to it.

I assume you're referring to AP & VG, right? I'm wanting to know more about them, as well. Because the surgeon I'm looking at says he does not have AP bands at his hospital practice, but my DH seems to remember hearing him say that he has them at his outpatient place. I want to know if I should wait for an AP band, or what?

here is info i located on ap band- I have the ap 10cc band...

AP lap bands<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P></O:P>

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!

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• <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)

My doc refers to the bands he uses as Small and Large... I have the small and my band is 10cm long and holds 4cc's of fluid (however can be overfilled to 5-6cc's) The large band gets fills every two weeks and can hold a lot more fluid. He makes the decision once he's IN and see's the patients stomach.

thank you stacy and tracy! very helpful.

i must have the smaller band, b/c after the operation i remember my surgeon saying "we used band B, band A would have been swimming on you."

of course i was barely awake and withit, so i didnt remember what she called the actual bands.

thanks ladies!