Do we have a choice in the type of band to get?

[rakes4321 0]

Apologies if this has been discussed already. I have read posts about different kinds of bands.....I have tried to research this and can't find any information about different models of the band. All I can find is information on LAP BAND. Can someone send me to a site that they know of or just give a brief description of the different kinds. Thanks a bunch

Amy

[harmony8411 0]

Rakes4321

go to the site realizeband.com. It compares the Lapband and the new Realize band.

[Mellis 0]

my choice of band is that my doc use whichever band he thinks will be best for me and that he is most comfortable using!

Mary

[faithmd 14]

Rakes4321

go to the site realizeband.com. It compares the Lapband and the new Realize band.

While I know your intentions were good, I went and read the comparison page, and I caution anyone against deciding to go with the Realize solely (or in large part) based on that comparison.

The Realize trial was fairly recent, the comparison was made using the information gathered in the FDA trial period for each band (Realize and LapBand). The LapBand FDA trial was (I believe) in either 1999 or 2000. The surgical technique for band placement has changed DRASTICALLY since then. The technique used now is just about the same that will be (is) used for the Realize (from what I understand). Here's a link to a VERY good journal article about the current banding technique:

http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu/assets/REN%202.pdf?RCD=J53039&NAME=Christine_J._Ren

There are different types of LapBand as well, as the poster above me wrote, your surgeon is your best guide for what band is the choice for you. The only thing I would add is that of the LapBands available, I insisted on getting the newer AP band (there are many threads about it around here), and I actually delayed my surgery a month to make sure I got it. The difference in the AP versus the other LapBands is small, but I wanted to be sure I had the latest technology (that has been in use in Australia and Canada for a long time already) available from Allergan.

For more info about the Realize band and its success do a websearch for Swedish band, because that's basically the Realize band.

[ThinDolphin3 3]

I want a band that is small because I gots lots to lose....I also have a kind of funny question...for the ppl that have already been banded (mainly the women)...did your breast shrink ALOT?? Becuz I do like my breast they just need to be a little bit smaller...LOL I will post a pic of myself tonite so you know who ur talking to...LOL

[Majj 0]

I was curious of the type of band I had so emailed my dietitian (I thought it was the Hage heard it mentioned when I had my firest fill) but wanted to double check seeing I was doing a bit of research..

Hear is part of her reply...

Hi Marion

You have the HAGE band which is the smaller of the 2 Heliogast Bands. It has a 7ml capacity for Fluid fills but we don't usually go to this level with any patients unless we are trying to establish if there is a leak in the 'system'.

I read the notes after Julie saw you yesterday so congratulations on going along so well. I'm glad you are getting into the exercise early on and not just relying on the band as it won't work on its own. Good food selection is the other area all patients must be aware of - but not in the sense of 'dieting' like you may have done in pre-band days.

P.SThen I did a little research on Bands ..

:smile2:

LAPAROSCOPIC ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING:

SLIPPAGE RATES OF HELIOSCOPIE HAGA™ VS

HAGE™ BANDS

Dr. Harry Quach, Victorian and Sydney Obesity Surgery Centre

Aim

Band slippages are the most common problem arising from LAGB requiring reoperation.

We sought to see if using a gastric band with a smaller inner diameter (ie.

HAGE™) would reduce the slippage rate.

Method

LAGB was performed on 486 patients between 5 Jan 2005 and 24 May 2007. All

bands were placed by the same surgeon using the HELIOSCOPIE HAGA™ and

HAGE™ bands via the pars fl accida approach. Between 5 Jan 2005 to 25 March 2006,

HAGA bands (with 27mm inner diameter) were used exclusively. After this period,

HAGE bands (with 26mm inner diameter) were placed routinely for all females. No

HAGE bands were placed in males because of concerns that the band would be too

tight. A total of 330 (68%) HAGA bands and 156 (32%) HAGE bands were placed.

Results

29 band slippages (5.96%) occurred with the HAGA band while only one slip (0.2%)

occurred with the HAGE band. All slippages occurred in female patients except

one. 80% of slippages occurred in those with BMI between 30 to 50. Band slippage

occurred varyingly at from 6 months to 23 months post-operatively.

Conclusion

Gastric bands with a smaller inner diameter produce a more snug fi t around the

proximal stomach. Such smaller bands (eg. HAGE™) have resulted in minimal

slippages so far. Smaller bands should be used routinely on females

No accurate number of adjustments required can be given. However, an average may be estimated to be between three and five fills (where saline/isotonic solution is inserted into the band via the subcutaneous port) for a person to reach the optimal restriction for weight loss. The amount of saline/isotonic solution needed in the band varies from patient to patient. There are a small number of people who find they do not need a fill at all and have sufficient restriction immediately following surgery. Others may need significant adjustments to the maximum the band is able to hold. Bands come in several diameters and sizes and can hold a total of between 4 cc (ml) to 12 cc (ml) of fill Fluid depending on the design. Band size is usually determined by personal preference of the surgeon who places the band together with what s/he is either able to use (e.g., specific bands approved in country of surgery) or what s/he believes to be the most appropriate. In Europe, for example, it is possible for the surgeon to use many designs. The size of the band used is determined by the surgeon during surgery based on the size and thickness of the patient's stomach.

It is more common practice for the band not to be filled at surgery—although some surgeons choose to place a small amount in the band at the time of surgery. The stomach tends to swell following surgery and it is possible that too great a restriction would be achieved if filled at that time. Clearly, this is undesirable.

[Majj 0]

I have just been told by a member in the 60`s group that in the uSA there are only 2 bands that are used ....

found this info...

Guess no one in the USA will have the type I have ...

Types of adjustable bands

In the US market, two types of adjustable gastric bands have been approved by the FDA: Realize Band and Lap Band. The Lap Band System (Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA) obtained FDA approval in 2001[16]. The device comes in five different sizes and has undergone modification over the years. The latest models, the Lap-Band AP-L and Lap-Band AP-S, feature a standardized injection port sutured into the skin and fill volumes of 14 mL and 10 mL respectively[17].

The Realize Adjustable Gastric Band (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH) obtained FDA approval in 2007[18]. Realize Band-C has a 14% greater adjustment range than the Realize Band. But both the Realize Band and Realize Band-C are one-size-fits-all. The device differentiates itself from the Lap Band AP series through its sutureless injection port installation and larger range of isostatic adjustments. The maximum fill volume for the Realize Band is 9mL, while the newer Realize Band-C has a maximum fill capacity of 11mL. Both fill volumes fall within a low pressure range to prevent discomfort or strain to the band[19].

Mine is a Heliogast ..the Hage they have 2 types Haga and Hage

Two other adjustable gastric bands are in use outside of the United States: Heliogast and Midband. Neither band has been approved by the FDA. The Midband (Médical Innovation Développement, Limonest, France) was the first to market in 2000[20]. In order to preserve the gastric wall in event of rubbing, the device contains no sharp edges or irregularities. It is also opaque to x-rays, making it easy to locate and adjust[21].

The Heliogast band (Helioscopie, Rhône-Alpes, France) entered the market in 2003. The device features a streamlined band to ease insertion during the operation[22].

Edited May 15, 2010 by Majj
typo