Done

Hi all, just wanted to post an update. I had my second fill on Monday and since then I have lost approx. 10 lbs. Unbelievable. I was about 271 then weighed myself this morning and I am at 260.8. My total now is 26 lbs since Dec 28th. My knees aren't hurting as much when I go down the stairs now. A few days ago I had to grip the railing and go down really really slow. My knees feel soooooooo much better now. I am at 7.5 cc's in a 9 band.

That is unbelievable! Talk about overinflated health care costs. My surgery cost 12,812.50 which breaks down to: $5000 for the band $5000 for the hospital, anesthesiologist, etc. $2812.50 for my surgeon

I just had my second fill yesterday, I now have 7.5 cc's in a 9 cc band. I have already noticed that it has made a big difference. I felt almost no restriction at 6 cc's and was able to eat one - two cups of food at a sitting.

Well, you asked! If I don't want to swallow, but want to let him finish in my mouth, I just press down lightly on his main 'tubing' so that it can't come out as fast. Or .. he does it into my hands or on my chest or face or ........:thumbdown:.

Welcome to my world as well ... 100% of my weight gain was caused by medications. I have been on almost every single medication in all classes - benzodiazepines, SSRI's, tricyclics, MAOI's, atypical antidepressants, antiepileptics. This is over a 12 year period. I have to take trazodone to sleep to keep my cycles in check (difficulty sleeping, I think too much and my brain gets really wired, that's why I was so great at my job in computer science, my brain would start whirring away). Anyways the trazodone causes me to eat when I'm half awake. Other meds caused massive sugar cravings. Thank god for the band as I would be gaining weight again. Other medications, like carbamazepine, caused me to completely lose all sensation of satiety and fullness. I ate, constantly, was obsessed with eating, could never get enough food, food felt SOOO GOOD. It was scary. I lasted a week on those and gained about 15 lbs. Have you purchased a SAD lamp? I bought mine from northerntechnologies.com (I think). They work great. Maybe we should have a section for those who suffer from these conditions...

...although I should add sometimes I worry if he'll bump into my band... HA HA HAAA J/K!!!

Hasn't been a problem with me. :tt2: As long as he warns me first...

I'm still hovering about 268-270....go in for my third fill on the 3rd. I can still eat about 1-2c of food. I hope the third time is the charm.

Hi Doddie, do you have the link to that article? Thanks so much. Robby

How can somebody be 'mentally ready' for this procedure? If one was 'mentally ready', and had 'discipline' they wouldn't be obese in the first place. Nobody can anticipate the feelings of deprivation and hunger post-op before they achieve a successful fill. Even after a fill, it is still a huge issue to tackle being overcome with cravings yet not having the stomach capacity to eat it all. Jen, hang in there. We're going through the same boat, and we can make it through this!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I will be starting the same process soon (I've already had the surgery though). I'm in BC and I tend to not take 'no' for an answer!! It just takes one person to make a difference......

Thank you GK, I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me. We talked earlier tonight...he seems a lot more receptive with taking a buy-out when it comes and going back to school, or moving to Alberta to work in the oil fields. Who knows what the future holds in store for us!! Very exciting. With the darkness comes the light.

She wasn't arrested for assault? There is no way you should put up with behavior like that. The store might have security tape footage to back you up.

I was wondering about that as well. I didn't particularly like how they did not state that it was an old, inferior model of band.

This may help... I went in for my first fill a few days ago. I walked into my surgeon's office, very hungry with tummy gurgling. I walked out feeling full. He put in 6 cc's in a 9 cc band. This thing is amazing. A few days ago I thought I would never lose weight, then I got my first fill and now the ball is rolling!:tongue2:

I just received this response from them: -----Original Message----- From: customersupport@eesus.jnj.com [mailto:customersupport@eesus.jnj.com] Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:09 AM To: bert99 Subject: RE: Technical Question Request from www.RealizeBand.com SR1-3LC6EO <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Dear Roberta: Thank you for visiting us at www.RealizeBand.com. In regard to your inquiry about logging in to Realize mySuccess™, Realize mySuccess™ is available only to US resident patients who have their Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band surgery performed in the US by a surgeon that has completed the US based professional training program. However, it is possible, if you have aligned yourself for post-op care with a US practice that has been REALIZE™ trained to get you enrolled. You will need to request a New Patient Code from the REALIZE™ trained practice to get access to the pre-op part of Realize mySuccess™. Then, if you do not have the Patient Card ID number which came with the Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band, you would need to call us to obtain another Patient Card ID number by calling us at 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493). We would need to verify that the US practice is responsible for your post-op care. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Please call 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493) for more information or to request a free REALIZE™ Patient Guide. The REALIZE™ Patient Guide contains information regarding the REALIZE Band and how it helps you lose weight, as well as information on what to expect before, during, and after surgery. <o:p></o:p> Sincerely, <o:p></o:p> Bariatric Technical Support<o:p></o:p> Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc Phone: 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493) Email: customersupport@eesus.jnj.com Website: www.RealizeBand.com

Come on, I need more men to share their experiences. I appreciate the female responses, however that isn't what I am looking for. I need to know what other men have gone through, or what their friends have gone through, etc. etc. I have no idea how the male brain operates so I was hoping to get some exclusive inside information. I did talk with him last night and he said that work is just unbearable, that every day he just dreads going there. It's really that bad. I suggested to him that, after 20 years, he take a buy out and go back to school to become a machinist. Problem is we can't make our mortgage payment without this income, and it's not like we are living the high life here (we outside of a major city where it has the highest house prices in Canada). :-(((((((

I just emailed them as well, I'm up in Canada eh?

I didn't think of that, sorry! I can't figure out how to modify the poll settings. It lets me change the text but not the poll. Ugh.

ETA: simple question, condensed version. No need to reply to the poll. Just looking for info from other guys. Thxs

Does anybody mind sharing their surgeon # so I can at least get into the system? I'd like to check out their support system. Thanks!

WOW!!! You are looking great.

Paula, you are GORGEOUS! Your progress is amazing. I am so proud of you! Hopefully some day we'll get to meet for lunch with all the other bandits.

Why would a doctor 'fake' fills? Just curious. Thanks :eek:

OMG that has to be the funniest story I have ever heard! :biggrin: