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Yes, I have a 9cc Realize band. My surgery was January '08 and I'm doing great with the band -- no problems and I now have nice restriction after 4 fills. Although the Realize band has been used in Europe for many years, it is new to the USA. I believe doctors in the USA began using the Realize band in the fall of '07. My doctor uses both the Inamed and the Realize bands and says both are quality products. Good luck on you lap band journey.

I live in Tecumseh and would also like to meet with some fellow banders in the area. Meeting in Chelsea or Grass Lake works fine for me. Just let me know when and where. Thanks. Leah

Hi Rose, Good to hear from you and congratulations on your weight loss. That's terrific! Well... as of yesterday I can officially join this "over 67" thread. My surgery was on 1-21-08 and my lapband journey has been going well although frustrating at times. I've lost only 20 lbs even though I've been exercising and eating 1000-1200 good calories a day (except for 4-5 days in which I went up to 1600cal.) But, that's okay because I don't yet have good restriction. Some times I'm dying of hunger but thus far have been able resist any "bad" foods. But, I am getting tired of having to use so much will power. After my second fill three weeks ago, I had perfect restriction for about 5 days (it was so cool!) and then it went away. Had fill #3 today so we'll see if this fill does the job. Keep up the good work, Rose.

I hope you get a response to your post. I've seen similar posts in the past but they seem to get only a few responses from seasoned bandsters. But, I wouldn't take that to mean there aren't many long-term successful bandsters. I think it means that the long-term successful bandsters don't spend much time on bandster forums because they are too busy leading their much-improved lives. I have found a bandster site on yahoo groups which has many many long-term successful bandsters (9years even) who post about how they continue to successfully live with their bands. It was very encouraging to hear these long-term bandsters sharing their successful band journeys and dealing with their day to day lives with their bands. So... yes there are many many successful long-term bandsters out there leading much-improved lives who, unfortunately, just don't happen to frequent and post on lapbandtalk.

Did your surgeon mention the "Gastric Sleeve" as an option for you? When I went for my lapband consultation with my surgeon he described the "Gastric Sleeve" as an option. At the time I was a bit miffed because I had already decided on the lapband. Quickly, he realized I wasn't interested and was on board with the lapband for me. Surgery went great, 2 fills thus far have been great, and I now have very comfortable restriction. I have no regrets to this point. Although I certainly ate sweets and carbs before lapband my increased weight came mainly from eating huge portions of 'healthy' food. So the band has been perfect for me. I eat the 'healthy' food' and the band just keeps me from eating too much of the healthy food. Staying away from sweets and bad carbs has not been a problem for me. Having said that, I have read a few posts on this site from people who have been successful with the labband who say that in hindsight they probably would have opted for the "Gastric Sleeve." I haven't researched the gastric sleeve but the few things I've heard about it, sounds promising and it does not have the malabsorption issues of the RNY. Good luck in making your decision.

You say that you haven't had a fill yet. After I was banded, but before a fill, I was starving and felt just as you describe. But, now that I have had 2 fills (5cc.+1cc=total of 6cc in a 9cc band) the band is working very well. I have only mild restriction with this amount of fill but it is enough that I can eat any type of food and comfortably stay between 1000-1200 calories/day. The lapband tool is now working for me and allowing me to lose weight as I had hoped. Hang in there and get your fill/s until you have adequate restriction and you'll cease being disappointed with your band.

I'm sorry to disagree with you but... your story is very exciting and sexy. Any one who can start on this lapband journey and travel the LONG road to goal weight has an exciting story to tell. Although there are many bansters who lose weight with the band, the number who actual reach goal and maintain goal weight are much less. We certainly need stories of those who lose any amount of weight with the lap band but we especially need repeated stories from those who lose all their weight and stay there. Question: Do you get hungry since you no longer have a fill? Thanks

Thanks for posting Chickie. You are an inspiration. I visited coffee Talk to see your photos but wasn't allowed to use the site since I am not a member. I notice that once you made it to goal, you unfilled your band. Didn't the hunger return after you unfilled the band? How do you maintain your weight without some sort of restriction? Also, I'm amazed at how quickly you lost the weight since it appears that you are not very tall and we shorter ones with a little less to have weight to lose often lose weight more slowly. I'd really like to hear more about your story. Thanks

Thanks for the post. Good to know that you and your dad have had only minor complications and still love your bands. Any more long-time banders out there? Would like to hear from you and your experience(s) with the band. Thanks

I too would like to hear from people who have had their lapbands for an extended period of time. It is wonderful to hear the stories of successful bandits who have had their band for one and two years. But, I can't help wondering... where are the people who have had their bands for 3,4,5,6 years? Are they still successful and are just so busy leading their improved lives that they don't have the time/or need to read/post on this site, or have they NOT been successful so have lost interest in this site?

Wheetsin: You might want to check lapband material that explains where the band is placed. Unless I'm mistaken, I think the band is placed around the upper part of the STOMACH (which creates the pouch), NOT around the esophagus. Also, from my understanding, although the Realize band and the older Inamed bands do NOT have a fill at the time of surgery, the newer, larger Inamed band does get a fill at the time of surgery. If you find out otherwise, please let me know.

Jennifer, You are just a few weeks behind me in the lapband journey. I was banded on Jan.21st. First fill was Feb.20th in which I was given 5cc. in my 9cc Realize band. The first 2-3 days after the first fill I had some restriction and it was great--ate small portions and was very satisfied/no hunger. But then... restriction abruptly disappeared and I was ravenous with hunger and wasn't due for a second fill until 4 weeks later. I emailed my doctor and told him of the situation. He said I could come in earlier for the 2nd fill as long as it was at least 14 days after the first fill. Needless to say, I was in his office on day 14. At that time he gave me an additional 1cc bringing the total to 6cc in a 9cc band. And guess what, restriction appeared and is still with me 2-1/2 weeks later. I'm so excited because the band is working perfectly--I eat small but reasonable meals and 3 small Snacks and I am completely satisfied (totals 1000-1200calories/day). I'm scheduled for a 3rd fill in 1-1/2 weeks but I think I will cancel it because I'm at perfect restriction right now (meaning I can eat any type of food without problems and become satisfied on a smallish amount of food). I've had no sliming or PB's but interestingly, this evening I ate chicken without chewing it as well as I should have and got a big case of noisy hiccups, felt like food was stuck, and had a bit of mild pain. Actually, it was kind of a nice experience (my first) because it not only gave me a warning but also let me know that the band is working great. Right now, I love my band!!!!!!!!!!!! Your band journey might be similar to mine or it might be quite different. Time will tell. Good luck with your band.

I LOVE/HATE the Atkins program. I HATE it because it is so very restrictive (at least the induction phase is) being allowed to eat fewer than 20g. of carbs/day. That's a hard thing to do. You end up eating pretty much only meat. But... I LOVE it because it allows me to quickly rid myself of cravings for sugar and flour. If I'm strict on the Atkins induction phase for 2-3 days, I lose all my cravings for sugar and flour. So I like to use the Atkins Induction Diet to get back on track with from my out-of-control eating. 2-3 days of Atkins induction, then switch to a high protein, low carb, sensible eating plan that allows me to at least eat green vegetables and a fruit once in a while.