I just received my Apple Watch series 7 and I cannot wear the sport loop band. Can I exchange it?

Just finished talking to Apple support. Said watch and watch band have to be returned in order to exchange the braided solo loop or I can drive 3 hours to the nearest Apple store. If they have the size I need they can exchange it. I thought this policy had been ended?

Apple Refund and Return policy

https://www.apple.com/shop/help/returns_refund

I had the same issue. Wanted to swap just the band out instead of paying $49 for the new band that I liked. I was told I had to send back the whole watch and band or I could go to an Apple store and swap out the band if they had it in stock. The store isn't as far away from me as you but it's still an hour and a half away.

I just exchanged the whole watch and band.