Band size

lildarlin · November 9, 2005

How does the doctor determine what size band you need? Pre-surgery testing?

Also, how would someone know their band is not placed right? I was looking at the pictures posted.....curious how you'd even know?

Thanks!

theresa2mum · November 10, 2005

Hi

I think it varies from surgeon to surgeon. I know mine uses the same band on everyone...that is his preferred band for many reasons that he is happy to explain why. From what I've read some surgeons think different bands suit different people...size etc.

And, I don't know about America, but I think we'd be naive to think that drug company "sales tactics" aren't a factor somewhere in the process.

Just ask your surgeon, that's what I did. I think he liked explaining it...he did drawings and everything

DrHekier · November 10, 2005

And, I don't know about America, but I think we'd be naive to think that drug company "sales tactics" aren't a factor somewhere in the process.

The hospital buys the Lap Band and so far as I know all of the 3 different sized bands cost exactly the same, so I do not see any reason why there would be "sales tactic" factors involved.

theresa2mum · November 10, 2005

The hospital buys the Lap Band and so far as I know all of the 3 different sized bands cost exactly the same, so I do not see any reason why there would be "sales tactic" factors involved.

Yes, the hospital buys the band...the one the Doctor wants. They may all cost the same, but the supplier would want Doctors to buy their bands. After all we are discussing an item that costs a considerable amount of money...mine was $4000 AUD.

I believe my Doctor has the integrity to use the band that he believes is the best, both for him and his patients. I also believe he would have spoken to a representative from each company who would have explained the benefits of their band. As you would well know, medicine is big business. I don't believe the suppliers are making these bands simply for our health lol

Just my opinion

HarleyNana · November 10, 2005

My doctor and I have had this discussion several times. You would think it is based on size or weight of patient, but when my mom was banded in April (at the age of 73), she was a lot heavier than I was at band time, so I assumed he would use the larger band, wrong! He said it depends on the inside of a person, not the outside, his words to me were, "you're mom is small on the inside, so I used the small band on her as well".

Then when I kept having problems with too much restriction, I blamed it on the small band and so he further explained. This is my analogy, if he had tried to use the larger band, it would be like running a piece of plastic through a waist band that was much larger than the material and how the material wouldn't go around the plastic and sit right. Remember the stomach is now stitched around the band so it won't move as easily.

Gee I hope that made sense.

DrHekier · November 10, 2005

the supplier would want Doctors to buy their bands.

In the USA only one type of Band is FDA (food and Drug Administration)approved; that is the Lap Band from Inamed.

Kathy473 · November 10, 2005

I don't know what "brand" my Lap-Band is or what size it is but as far as seeing it on the stomach, my doctor gives each patient a color picture of "your" band on "your" stomach and the picture of the barium swallow that you do after the surgery. It is very cool!