Any input whatsoever...

Actually that 10 Ft Pole is getting smaller. I know people that have gone to Mexico to get a band and have a surgeon in the U.S. that does their aftercare. Some don't have the option of paying the fees that the U.S. Surgeons charge. People go to Mexico for Dental work as well, which says allot about the United States and their HEALTH CARE.

But I digress..I can't and don't recommend a Band to anyone, just My Feelings on the matter.

AS I stated before GOOD LUCK on the OP's decision.

You are correct on one thing, Allergan made a BIG mistake when they discontinued the 4cc bands in the US, they should have given patients the option to choose between bands, they claim the AP band is 'safer', it does feel softer, and I have not yet vomited or slimed and my food goes down better, but it damn near took me 6 fills before I got to my sweet spot.

Weight loss with my 4cc band was rapid and I lost quicker than many Bypass people, many did when we got the 4cc bands. If you compare weight loss with the 4cc band and Sleeve, I don't believe the Sleeve can outdo the older 4cc bands, but they sure can with the AP bands. I was losing about 20-10 pounds a month with my 4cc band, but with my AP band I am lucky to lose 5 pounds a month...lol....because it barely helps with hunger unless I eat very dense proteins...

Inamed was the manufacturers of older 4cc bands, I had the INAMED band for over 7 years, for ME, the AP band CANNOT compare to the older 4cc bands, weight loss with the 4cc bands were compared to the Bypass and MANY have long lasting weight loss -- at least I did without much effort that is the truth, I ate sweets weekly and I still lost weight, also the older bands induced more satiety you were less hungry than with these HUGE a@@ AP BANDS...LOL...

Patients were more HAPPY and satisfied with their 4cc bands than the AP bands overall, the AP band works great for many too, but if you had the 4cc band and experienced the AP band you will know the difference.

I only had about 40 pounds to lose after my revision this is why I am ok with my AP band and I've lost most of it already, if I was a NEW LAP BANDER and experienced the AP band, I may not be as happy with banding experience....

I think who ever purchases the Lap band now after Allergan sells it... may have to go back to the drawing board on its design......

As I recall throughout her many IDs on this board, she had I believe.. over 50.

64

HA!  I was thinking between 50-60, I couldn't remember the exact number.

Oh wait!  That is just since 8/12, that doesn't include her 2nd band surgery and starting fills all over again.

Self payers beware! 

Well...when I had my 4cc band, I had restriction with NO fill for about 4 months, so I did not get my first fill until 4 months post op, I lost about 40 pounds before I got my first fill. After I'd lost some weight the band became loose around my stomach, so I needed more saline in my band, it took about 3 fills before I started feeling good restriction again.

I started off as a heavy weight, 326 pounds and about every 10 pounds lost I needed more saline added, I had LOT of fills, my surgeon at that time was new to banding to it was trial and error, some fills were too tight, some were hit and miss.

My pouch got dilated in my first year and I ended up getting my band deflated, totally unfilled, and then we slowly refilled again, this took several more fills about 8 more of refilling the band again, you can't safely fill the band at one time this has to be done every month a little at a time to prevent complications.

With the 4cc band most people get their first fill after about 6 weeks post op, some people need more, some less, but the average first fill for a 4cc band is about 1cc or 2cc, 1 or 2cc is a large fill, the first two fills will be the largest since the surgeon will start slowly filling the band, they can't do it in one big adjustment, it has to be done over a few months to prevent pouch/esophagus/ dilation.

Once you start to feel restriction your next adjustment should be smaller and smaller, for example, if your first fill is 2cc, your second fill may be 1.5cc, if you are not feeling much restriction, then your next fill may be .5cc and if you are feeling restriction but need just a bit more your last fill to reach your sweet spot may be only .1cc.

Once you've lost most of your weight and at your sweet spot for about 1-2 years, many long term banders will remove a small amount of saline ESPECIALLY in the 4cc band since they are higher pressure to keep constant pressure off the esophagus/pouch to prevent any long term issues. With the 4cc band many still will keep their weight down even with moderate restriction.

Remember if you are gong to Mexico, make sure that you have a surgeon here in the US that will give you adjustments and help you if you have a complication, those are the most important things.

Good luck.

AND some go to Mexico for their Plastics -- the care was 1000x better than anyone was able to offer here in the States.  Don't be fooled that the medical care in the US is the BEST, it is not!