AP Band

dustout · November 8, 2007

Do any of you have the newer AP Lapband? I'm going to call my surgeon tomorrow and ask him if that's what I have. I hope so. Reading up on it, it seems to have some nice improvements over the older models of Lapband.

SheShe · November 8, 2007

Yes I have it... I am so weird that was the first thing I asked when I came out of surgery.

I was banded 2 months ago, and have lost 40 lbs! woot

dustout · November 8, 2007

Called Lapband doctor today and the nurse said I have the 10cc band so it should be the newer AP band. Woot.

SheShe · November 8, 2007

That is great!

babs0101 · November 8, 2007

I asked what band I was getting before the surgery. I do have the new AP band.

BuffettPhan · November 9, 2007

I have the AP 10cc what were the improvments?

Pattypoo1 · November 9, 2007

I also have the AP...I requested it and they special ordered it for me. I made them show me the box in the OR

dustout · November 9, 2007

The AP (Advanced Performance) Lapband was designed to address known problems with the original Lapband and attempt to mitigate them. It's new design is hoped to reduce slippage, erosion, and increase the speed of weight loss by blocking food more efficiently. They also say that they believe the new design will reduce blockages. It's new so they don't know how much these improvements help or if they even do. However, it's believed they will, hence the changes.

New features:

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

4. "Omniform" Technology. The inflatable silicon portion of the band in contact with the stomach is 'pleated' to reduce chances of slippage and grip the stomach better.

5. An easier release mechanism to remove the band. This increases the ability to use laproscopy should the Lap-band need removal.

6. Softer silicon is used in the new AP band.

New band:

Older bands: Normal on left; VG on right: