VG Band Question

[GregNE]

Excellent information for those of us with the VG band! Thanks.

The info about the first 3.5 cc not restricting is especially good to know.

Thank you Roger.

I saw this on a post in the the Smarterbandsters yahoo group. It some info on the VG from the Inamed representative (from 2004).

Don Mills <don.mills@i. ..> wrote:

Subject: RE: new INAMED band

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 16:22:29 -0700

From: "Don Mills"

To:

Hello Sandy,

I'm afraid that some of the confusion was created by INAMED itself

with regard to the name of this band. The Vanguard band is the old

name for the LAP-BAND VG System. Same band. "Vanguard" had some

negative implications. So our marketing dept gave the band the name

LAP-BAND VG System. Turns out that is not a very good name either

because it can be confused with the VBG procedure.

The VG band is being sold in Europe and now in Mexico too. (Note from

Sandy 8/20/054 - used in US now too )

However, the VG band is quite different from the 11 cm band that has been sold

in Europe and Mexico. The 11 cm band continues to be available in

those locations.

We don't quote the circumference for the VG band as it depends how

the band is measured. It cannot correctly be called either an 11 cm

or a 12 cm band. The band is different enough that we really do not

want to measure it in the way we measure the 9.75 cm and 10.0 cm

bands. In any case the band is longer (when open) than 12 cm. But

please do not refer to it as either an 11cm or a 12 cm band! The VG

band has been misquoted by surgeons and others as a 11 cm band. This

is incorrect and probably comes from confusion with the 11 cm band

sold internationally but not in the US.

The LAP-BAND VG is available in the US to all band surgeons and also

now in Mexico. Several have already been installed in both the US and

in Mexico.

The fill capacity is 10 cc. The first 3.5 cc only fill the band and

do not increase restriction. (emphasis added by Roger)

The indications for the LAP-BAND VG are generally for patients with

BMIs larger than 45, OR patients with larger anatomy (i.e. thicker

gastric walls and/or substantial omentum), patients that may have

more fat in the immediate band area and for the pars flaccida

procedure when the additional tissues that are enclosed within the

band are larger than usual.

The surgeon will make the decision as to which band is appropriate

for a particular patient. The above indications do not mean that

patients with the 10 cm band or the 11 cm band have an incorrect

band. It also does not mean that a surgeon might choose to use the

LAP-BAND VG System when he/she could have chosen the 10 cm band.

As always, great to hear from you. We haven't spoken since the

Seattle Bash - keep in better touch! And congratulations again on

your wonderful LapBand success and dedication to the Band Boards.

You are helping to provide a very valuable service.

Don Mills

INAMED Health

[kym828]

I have the vg band and just had my second fill last Friday by Dr. Romero. I am now at 5cc's and the restriction is perfect!! The scale is finally starting to move downward and I am so amazed about the small amount that I am eating. I still feel like a stuffed pig all day long but at the end of the day when I look at the amount of food I have really eaten, it always seems to be right around 1000 calories a day or less.

After receiving my second fill by Dr. Romero I have decided that it is well worth the long trip back to TJ for his expertise on fills, not that the doctor who did my first fill in Denver was bad, but he certainly isnt as educated as Dr. Romero on the vg band. I really hope this restriction lasts a couple more months... this is wonderful. You guys with the vg band, hang in there, it does get better.

kim