Pizzaman

NukeChik, my doctor is probably about as cautious as they get. Both he and the hospital's dietitian gave me the same instructions. I'm guessing that the Realize band allows for quicker healing and transition.

Sandy, I've been very good about getting my protein in, but it's been a struggle to drink that much water. I feel like I'm gonna explode!

For all you future banders, it's been four days since my surgery. The pain has diminished quite a bit, but I get frequent headaches despite taking Tylenol. The doctor's office thought it may be because I'm not taking in enough fluids - I'm not - I'm taking in 40 ounces instead of 64. Even though I watched some Food Network shows, I only get brief hunger pangs that quickly go away. I have too much invested into this whole thing to blow it by cheating.

What I can tell you about the Realize band is that you go solid foods sooner. Rather than 2 weeks on solid liquids and 2 weeks on soft foods, I spend one week on each before transitioning to a normal diet.

Does the stuck piece of food readily come out (in the bathroom) or do you somehow need to induce it?

If you check the BC/BS OPM approved plan benefit book, the appeals procedures are laid out in section 8.

I'm back! Got out of the hospital yesterday and am as sore as hell. They put the "new" Johnson & Johnson band in me and I have six incision sites. Even though I have been through surgery before, I'm not having as easy a time as some posters. Thanks for you good wishes. Good looking nurses? Forget it! I had a witch with an attitude!

I have been on the pre-op liquid (but not the clear liquid diet) phase for about 4 days now and to my amazement, I am generally not hungry. Has this been the case for most of you? I'm hoping that my post-op liquid phase will also leave me not feeling hungry, but I see that other posters have not been so lucky.

I've gotta laugh. At 18 years old, I was 6'1" 168 lbs and was kind of on the scrawny side. If I dropped to 140 lbs, I'd look like I had just come out of a POW camp and was never fed.

John, I wish you well. You're doing it for all the right reasons. Steve, I get banded tomorrow. I'll let all you guys know how it went.

Thanks for posting that. It looks as though your doctor knew exactly what he was doing.

I'd like to thank all you guys for sharing your stories. I have surgery tomorrow and even though I've had surgery before (injury related), I'm still a bit apprehensive. It's more about waking up with a foreign body in me (the band) than a fear of the surgery itself. Best of luck to all of you in your Quest for a thinner you!

Forgve, who does your fills, the doctor or a physician assistant? Because if it's the latter, I'd appeal under OPM regs. I don't think PA's can do "surgical procedures."

Alan Geiss in Syosset, 516-496-2752. Many of us on L.I. are using him.

I'm not a big fish fan either - Orange Roughy is the way to go. A little expensive but delicious.

I am so glad that I found this post. I'm a law enforcement officer about to get banded but was having second thoughts because of the potential risks involved about being struck in the band area. The doctor told me it wouldn't be a problem but some confirmation is nice.

Hi Val. Did Dr. Geiss tell you how this new band is different from the "old" one?

I'm also 6'1" and while I am tentatively shooting to get down to 190 lbs, I think I'd be happy at 200-210. I think that chart (140 lbs???) is ridiculous.

I think you hit the nail on the head. If your clothes are looser but you're not losing much weight, your theory is probably right on the money.

Dave, this is a pretty safe procedure especially in that it is minimally invasive. I too am nervous, but more nervous about how the band will affect my body and my life in general. Obviously, I think it'll be for the best or I wouldn't go through it.

Yes, there are some hurdles, but your answer is above. From the time of my initial consult to date my surgery was approved it was a little less than 2 months and cost me about $700 in co-pays. I think it's well worth it. Hang in there.

Here ya go! :bounce:

Hi Dave. Haven't had it yet. It's scheduled for 1/10/01.

Good luck with your banding on Wednesday, Sunrise. I get banded the next day. Were on the liver cleanse for one week or two? I'm on it for a week.

I have a titanium steel rod in my leg that has never set off any metal detectors. There is no way that a port triggered it. Operator error. :confused: