Band Size

cashley · March 7, 2006

I went yesterday to my surgeons office support group and learned that they can put 5cc's in a 4cc band. That's kind of weird. I don't think they like to do it since the nurse tried to discourage the discussion on it.

I also learned several people are at the limit on fills and they can't go any tighter. Some aren't close to goal - this made me a bit sad.

The nurse demonstrated how the band looks empty, with 2cc's, with 3.5 and with 4 in it. She showed us the opening that the food can go though - it was really cool.

argon · March 7, 2006

Hey cashley,

I've actually been curious to know... how big would you say the opening is when the band is at 4cc, 3.5, 2? (ie how big of an opening for food to go through)

Thanks,

Mandi

the best me · March 7, 2006

If I'm not mistaken, the "4cc" band was originally designed to hold 5cc. Apparently having 5cc in there caused problems, not sure if they were with the band or the patient. SO! Inamed changed the stats on those bands (the 9.75cm and 10cm) to 4cc. some docs still refer to them as 5cc bands.

Disclaimer: the above is heresay based on conclusions I have made from reading stuff on this board and all over the internet for the past year, plus some. It ain't the Bible.

argon · March 7, 2006

Yeah, I knew about that diameter thing... BUT... is that the inside or outside diameter? and what's the inside diameter at various fill amounts?

argon · March 7, 2006

Something else... ok, lets say that once the band is on, the actual size of the opening that food can flow through is ... 10cm-ish. What's the width of that part of the stomach *normally*? I know it would vary by person... but roughly, does it cut the size in half?

I dunno, for some reason, I was thinking it would be about an inch across. I just don't get how, if you've got a 10cm outlet for food (what, maybe 8cm if fully inflated?) how anything could possibly get stuck, and/or not just fall through (to the bottom part of your stomach). :|

cashley · March 8, 2006

When she filled it up with 4cc's and showed us the opening it looked about the size of a quarter. She said to take in to account that your stomach flesh and fat is in there too. So that makes it even smaller. I can see why it could be so tight thinking about a size of a quarter with some meaty flesh in there.

When she changed it to 3.5 and to 2.00cc's I could tell a difference but it's hard to explain but the opening was a bit bigger. When it was completely open it was only about as big as silver dollar.

It was a cool experiement. I'm glad she did that. Do any of you all go to support group meetings? They had the exercise therpist talk this time but sometimes they do the dietian or just the nurse. It was nice to see so many sucesses that I didn't realize we'd have so many. Most don't use the computer or visit boards like this so I forget how many more people there are out there.

argon · March 8, 2006

Cool... thank you! That's good to know!

I live verrry far from where I'm having surgery, so I'm not able to attend any meetings (and there are none around here). All I've for band-support is this site and a couple other message groups. It would be nice to have actual meetings though.

Thanks again... interesting stuff... that would be neat to see. I think my surgeon does have a 'demo' lapband, so I'll have to ask when I go see him next.

Mandi