NWgirl

Good luck! My long-term boyfriend was diagnosed with Bipolar in 2009, and has gained a good 20-30 from the meds alone. He actually got up to about 50 gained, but had a medicine change and was able to drop some of it. It's a pretty terrible trade off, but considering the alternative, it's for the best. I am hoping you get your referral

I don't have a fill yet, but like to order a chili and small salad at a local restaurant I frequent. I ordered this before surgery, and the only thing that has changed is I eat about 1/3 of the chili and get the rest to go. I used to eat the whole meal plus a dessert... Never again

I was told it is common to have three to four adjustments to get to the "green zone"

I have the Lapband, but they are similar. From what I've read, the Realize is a low pressure band (one continuous balloon), which means it usually requires more saline to feel restriction. This one also has a lower profile port. The Lapband has inflatables pouches and has a slightly taller port. I would recommend telling the surgeon to put whatever one in he/she thinks will work best for you.

Good to hear you've got it figured out

Good luck!

Yes, I researched a lot before my appointments, so when I was told 40-60% by the surgeon I knew it was based on a lot of things, including people who do not have success. It's a way for the practices to cover their butts- can you imagine how many people would sue if their surgeons assured them they would lose 80-100% of their weight and the people chose not to follow the rules and lost little to none?!

My insurance covered at 80% too, but the catch is that it is 80% up to the out-of-pocket max for the year. My Out of pocket max is $3000 and my deductible was $2500. I racked up around $2000 with just pre-op tests and owed about $800 for the actual surgery. As for the IN FULL, I had to put down a $100 deposit for the hospital to get my date scheduled, and have yet to receive the bill for surgery. I just wonder how you could be expected to pay in full when they would not know exactly what you owe towards OOP because some claims may not have come in by surgery date?

The plication isn't a 100% permanent thing, for the most part. If your Dr is going to be cutting OUT your stomach, then I would refuse. Normally for plication, the stomach is folded onto itself and sutured together to create the banana shaped sleeve. I read somewhere the longevity of the stitches are about 3-5 years, depending on how you eat, etc. This is different from the sleeve, where they remove up to 80% of your stomach. I would clarify with the Dr how exactly they are doing this. I personally would have gotten the plication if my surgeon was performing it.

The statistic of 40-60% is based on everyone who gets the band, including those who never followup and those who never lose weight (or gain weight!). It is not just those people who have actually worked the band. Keep that in mind. I think if everyone comes into this knowing what to expect (in terms of rules for food, exercise, etc), then there is no reason you can't be 100% successful.

aerobic exercise does get rid of the visceral fat in the belly, so if you've been doing that, then it's possible. Whatever it is, I'd just keep on doing it

Lucky you! I don't think I'll need too many fills, as I don't get crazy hungry like I used to on the same amount of food... BUT I definitely need that first one

where you satisfied between meals? That would be my concern. I know I will opt for the first one because even though I am eating 3 meals and 1200 or less calories, I am still hungry in between.

Any store should carry it. I found the 5000 at Walmart. I had gone to a Fred Meyer (Kroger) before, but only found it in the 1000 or 2000 dose.

I would recommend buying the Lipton Cup-a-soup Cream of chicken in lieu of broth... It's so much better!

Just trim off the loose ends of the tape, it will come off on it's own.

Some older members say to make sure you get enough protein and take biotin. I started taking biotin 5000 prior to surgery as a precaution and am one month post-op. I have not noticed any hair issues.

Sometimes they schedule you for all in one day- labs, nutritionist, physical therapist, psychologist, and nurse practitioner (obviously who you see will depend on requirements of clinic). I had my visits over three appointments. I was also required to have a sleep study.

Usually the first fill doesn't do anything for restriction... I would say that you got the tool for a reason, so you should start getting it ready to use.

I wish you the best, but please remember that we were all on the same post-op diet, so we know how it is to be really, really hungry and the emotional strain it is to break bonds with food. I had no difficulty with pain or activity after the second day and was feeling 100% the first week, but the reason why we go on the staged diet is for healing of the internal body. We may feel ready to eat, but that does not change the fact that the stomach is still healing and that scar tissue needs to form around the sutures to create a better hold on the band so that the future chance of it slipping or other complications are lessened. If we eat too early against the advice of our medical doctors, we risk damaging the healing process. The diet has a real purpose, and is not just for torture. Like I said before, don't take the concern that people expressed as judgement. Perhaps your Dr didn't stress the importance of why you should follow the stages. I want nothing more for anyone on this board to find success, and when someone is doing something that may harm their success, it's important to make sure they understand why.

I had trouble getting in all of my fluids for the first week. After that, it all fell into place.

Make sure to be drinking water too. Sometimes dehydration can be construed as hunger pains.

I would write the letter, chances are you will only speak with a customer service rep and not the person/people who make the decisions. I would explain that my health continues to get worse,etc. List any meds, any problems (joints, pains, etc). Pretty much every terrible thing that happens to you and will cost them more money than approving you now and not 6 months from now.

Mmm I will write that down. Sounds yummy.

I was banded on the 20th. For a few days I had a sore area on my lower left abdominal area (not anywhere near my port or other incisions) that had me worried because it appeared 2-3 weeks after surgery. It went away and hasn't bothered me since.