At our local Walk from Obesity last weekend, Allergan had a representative there who was handing out information and he had actual samples of the AP bands and the ports we could see and touch and he was really interested to talk with us about our experiences.

Couple interesting facts for the attached scanned pages of the brochure I thought were most interesting to me:

1. Comparison of the AP-S band to the AP-L band in side by side in one photo so you can see the relative difference of the two band sizes.

2. Comparison of the regular size port and the mini-port in one photo.

3. Comparison of Allergan's previous band versions to the AP band version.

4. Good close up photo of what the pillows of the band inside the band where the saline goes.

5. Good close up photo of what the buckle looks like.

6. Good picture of a band around a stomach forming the pouch.

7. Charts I've seen before comparing statistics on AGLB (Adjustable Gastric Lap Band) to RNY Gastric Bypass and also now to the VSG- cal Sleeve Gastrectomy.

8. I asked the Allergan directly about the potential for a bad fill episode where they miss your port if they are hitting the tubing and potentially causing a leak for the saline. He said no, look at picture of the port's plastic area that is a semi-hard plastic or silicone and see where there is a piece about 6" long that projects from the port and then after about 6" the flexible tubing begins that goes up to where the band itself is at. He said this was an improvement in design made by Allergan after they learned of some leak issues in early model ports if the tubing was nicked during a fill because the flexible tubing went right up to the port itself.

So for some of the newbies and longer term bandsters who may have tried hunting on the internet or this forum for good pictures of the band and ports, enjoy!

:smile2:

P.S. Hold on, the site is warning me to make the file attachments smaller so I'll repost the attachments.

Oh, WOW! I can't wait to see this attachments.

At our local Walk from Obesity last weekend, Allergan had a representative there who was handing out information and he had actual samples of the AP bands and the ports we could see and touch and he was really interested to talk with us about our experiences.

Couple interesting facts for the attached scanned pages of the brochure I thought were most interesting to me:

1. Comparison of the AP-S band to the AP-L band in side by side in one photo so you can see the relative difference of the two band sizes.

2. Comparison of the regular size port and the mini-port in one photo.

3. Comparison of Allergan's previous band versions to the AP band version.

4. Good close up photo of what the pillows of the band inside the band where the saline goes.

5. Good close up photo of what the buckle looks like.

6. Good picture of a band around a stomach forming the pouch.

7. Charts I've seen before comparing statistics on AGLB (Adjustable Gastric Lap Band) to RNY Gastric Bypass and also now to the VSG- cal Sleeve Gastrectomy.

8. I asked the Allergan directly about the potential for a bad fill episode where they miss your port if they are hitting the tubing and potentially causing a leak for the saline. He said no, look at picture of the port's plastic area that is a semi-hard plastic or silicone and see where there is a piece about 6" long that projects from the port and then after about 6" the flexible tubing begins that goes up to where the band itself is at. He said this was an improvement in design made by Allergan after they learned of some leak issues in early model ports if the tubing was nicked during a fill because the flexible tubing went right up to the port itself.

So for some of the newbies and longer term bandsters who may have tried hunting on the internet or this forum for good pictures of the band and ports, enjoy!

:smile2:

P.S. Hold on, the site is warning me to make the file attachments smaller so I'll repost the attachments.

Sorry folks it will only let me post 5 attachments on one post. I'll create the continuation.

Allergan AP Lapband Pg1.bmp

Allergan AP Lapband Pg2.bmp

Allergan AP Lapband Pg3.bmp

Allergan AP Lapband Pg4.bmp

Allergan AP Lapband Pg5.bmp

Continued a 2nd post so I could attach the last 2 files of Pg. 6 and Pg 7.

Allergan AP Lapband Pg6.bmp

Allergan AP Lapband Pg7.bmp

Are the Allergan and the Inane band the same? I have the inane band (old style). New one came out about 2 or 3 months after my surgery. Would have waited if I had known. It is my understanding it is wider and has the saline pouch all the way around the band. Didn't see how to click and see the pictures you are trying to show.

Allergan and Inamed are the company names of the parent company and the subsidiary company - its all the same.

Sugarbear - I think if you just click on the Attached file area for each pg, you'll have a window open up to view it.

Yes, look at the Pg 2 file image and you can see the VG style of the Lapband that Allergan had in use just before they got FDA approval in 2007 to start offering the AP bands that do have pockets 360 degrees around the inside of the band including by the buckle area.

that was interesting... thanks for sharing. Julie

This is an image off the Realize Band web site of what the Realize band looks like and it reminds me of the original Allergan bands with the smooth inside area or continuous area where the saline goes. See what you think.

Thanks for sharing. I was thinking of going with the Realize because of many people getting their tubing poked. The Realize has some sort of metal next to the port so if it's hit- it won't leak. I'll check out the port sizes too when I see my doctor next. I liked the Realize one as it was thinner but the port rubber part was bigger to find it.

Thanks for posting this. I have the APS.