massa36

well once I am approved! I went to my eval yesterday and was given the opportunity to compare the AP and the realize band! There is definitely a difference! The Realize band is very soft and pliable ! Whereas the AP was more rigid and not pliable at all! Also the Realize band completely encircled the stomach (like there is no break once closed) and the balloon inside extends past the outside of the band so the plastic on the outside does not touch the stomach. Not to mention the Realize band is actually 18 mm wider than the AP which is said to give better restriction, even at the time of surgery without the fill. Also u can start out with larger fills in the Realize band. And according to research the avg. Realize band patient only need 4 fills for the first year and 2 for the next two yrs! Which to me is awesome because that means less money to be spent on fills, and hopefully finding the sweet spot sooner! My dr. gave me a whole book on the realize band that I just can't put down! I haven't even been on the site yet, but soon I will! LOL! Sorry I am rambling but I am so excited! If anyone as a ? I would be happy to answer if I can.

well once I am approved! I went to my eval yesterday and was given the opportunity to compare the AP and the realize band! There is definitely a difference! The Realize band is very soft and pliable ! Whereas the AP was more rigid and not pliable at all! Also the Realize band completely encircled the stomach (like there is no break once closed) and the balloon inside extends past the outside of the band so the plastic on the outside does not touch the stomach. Not to mention the Realize band is actually 18 mm wider than the AP which is said to give better restriction, even at the time of surgery without the fill. Also u can start out with larger fills in the Realize band. And according to research the avg. Realize band patient only need 4 fills for the first year and 2 for the next two yrs! Which to me is awesome because that means less money to be spent on fills, and hopefully finding the sweet spot sooner! My dr. gave me a whole book on the realize band that I just can't put down! I haven't even been on the site yet, but soon I will! LOL! Sorry I am rambling but I am so excited! If anyone as a ? I would be happy to answer if I can.

Hey congrats on your upcoming surgery! I can't wait until its my turn! as far as easing you nerves, I would say u are doing a great job already! keep up the good work and it will be a success! Pleas keep me up dated on your success ad I will do the sames

Thanks guys! I'm like you Colton, if I feel it it would drive me crazy. Oh and Colton what band do you have, how many cc's and how much did they put in it? I need to tell my doctor this in hopes that I will only need 1 fill!

I have a quick question that is driving me crazy! Can you feel the lap band on the inside? What I mean is do u constantly feel it wrapped around your stomach, or only when you are eating? For instance like when laying down or switching positions would u feel the band move too, or does it just feel normal? I just don't want to constantly feel this "foreign object" moving around all the time. Thanks for your time and I look forward to you replies!

I know I've said this before but check out Dr. Titus Duncan at Peachtree Surgical! they are excellent! I have my nutritional eval next friday and then my initia consult! There is no waiting list and the staff is great! Oh and Gloria please contact me I would love to talk to you! Agape' Massa

Does anyone know if Fill Centers USA, does fills for patients from any patient from any Dr? My dr. charges 275 per fill!

I want to feel my dgt wrap her arms around my waist and hug me tight for the first time in her 6 yrs. I want to ride a rollercoaster again! I want to get married and not have to wear a girdle under my dress, and on my honeymoon I want my husband to carry me over the threshold, strip we down, LOVE what he sees,(my guy and I are waiting until we get maried to make love. He's never seen me naked!) and make love to me standing up...ok TMI! LOL! I just want to to be the young woman that I am, and be here to enjoy getting old with my beautiful child, and the man who loves me! By God's grace I know this will happen!

Schewy, hope I spelled it right! I have a horrible memory! I hope the info I was able to give was helpful! Dr. Duncan is great! Curiousone, I'm sorry u are having a hard time! just remember life is full of many ups and downs. but the fact that u are even considering WLS, shows that u are conscious of what u need to do. Be proud of that! It took me 2 yrs to decide this is what I need to do. So take your time, be encouraged, and pray about the situation , work towards your goal and everything will work out! Not to preach to you, but when depressed remember Psalms 55:22, it says. Throw your burdens upon Jehovah and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous to totter! We all get down when our weight goes up and down just remember, you are not alone! We can do something about it! This tool the LB, can work for you! You are in my prayers. Agape' D.

Hey! Welcome 2 LBT! I am also pretty new to the site, I live in L'ville. I am going through Peachtree Bariatrics, Dr. Titus Duncan . I have already been t the seminar, turned in my paperwork, gotten all Medical and Psych clearances. I love his staff! they are very reassuring and caring! they return all calls, and even answered the questions I thought were stupid! Dr. Duncan is very experienced and was the president of the Bariatic assoc. in Ga. He also specializes in Laproscopic surgery!His complication.rate is less than .02%. He's awesome! He also does the med rev on Good Morning Atlanta on Thursday mornings. Check out the web site at peachtreebariatric.com . I know I am going on and on, but check it out! Again welcome, and please let us know how your search and process is going!

Thanks Lizalee. I am called my doctor today and I'm hoping for a return call today. I am praying this is not something that will hold me up! I am expecting an early May surgery date. Please keep me in your prayers and thanks for you prompt reply! I am really nervous about this!:biggrin:

I a on my thrird day too! And I am having the same symptoms,plus extreme fatigue! My dr. says it normal. I just hope it doesn't hold up my surgery. Does anyone know if having this can be a cause for postponing surgery! I am so worried that it will!

want_so_bad, I can definitely appreciate your opinion. I know what it is to see people take advantage of the system! But understand, I pay taxes, and have been doing so, for many years. I don't know if you think it was an easy decision to quit my job... but understand it was not! This surgery for me is a life and death situation! From what I was told in my training, Medicaid is there to help those who are desperately in need of medical care. Maybe, you wanted to have wls, to look good, maybe you wanted to have it to feel good. I need to have it to be here for my dgt! I have never "used" the system before, but I have most certainly paid into it! I am not saying this is the best way for everyone, but for those who honestly have no other choice...(and believe me this was my last resort, after even paying $324 a mo. for insurance) I say "GO FOR WHAT YOU KNOW!" We have spent billions of dollars this yr alone, year as Americans, on a senseless war! When we have millions of citizens who have no health care, and for those that do, the insurance will not cover preventative procedures, particularly WLS. I honestly do not see anything wrong with me getting help from the system so that I am here 10 yrs from now caring for my dgt, so she does not have to be a burden on "the system", or you! I will one day explain to my beautiful dgt why mommy had to do what ever it took to be here for her! And nothing , and no one can, or will tell me, that I am wrong to want to live! So again, I sincerely appreciate your opinion, but until you have walked in my shoes, and are out there alone... please try not to judge. As for AMG, thanks for your understanding. Have a wonderful night and thanks for your replies!:thumbup:

I was also diagnosed with H.pylori today after receiving my preop blood work results. I also rcvd the Prevpac and started it tonight. my concern is after treatment do I have to wait a longer amt of time to get banded? I am prayng that this will not hold things up! I am so desperate to begin this lifestyle change! Please any advice will be greatly appreciate . thanks so much!

I am 27 yrs old and ready for a life style change! So here is what I did and what I am doing...up until 2/26/08 I was employed as a social worker. I went to a seminar at Peachtree Bariactrics and decided I want/need to change my life. So first I contacted my insurance and found out although I worked for the state, they did not cover WL procedures. Well, while at another seminar I found out Medicaid does pay for the procedure if it is deemed medically neccesary! So I contacted my PCP and got all my medical and cardiac clearances,and was given a medical neccecity letter. So I began saving my money in August of 07. I filed my taxes for 08, and QUIT MY JOB! Now it may sound crazy,but I am a single mother of an active 6 yr old. I am pretty active now. But how active will I be at 30 and still weighing 324 lbs!(Wow! I have never told anyone how much I weigh! This is so freeing!) My mom has had 2 strokes and 2 heart attacks, she's only 55! I want to live! And I am determined to do anything to be here for my dgt! So I applied for Medicaid. And rcvd my cards today! I spoke to my surgeon's office today and I am on my way! I am PRAYING for approval! All my life I have fought for everyone else, and forgot about me! My child reminds me of what is good in me! I have to be here to teach her how GREAT she is. So right now I am flying by the seat of my pants! I'm excited, anxious, and so far not the least bit scared! God says to work towards our prayers! And pray incessantly! I am fighting my way there! I know I am rambling. But I would really appreciate some encouragement and some prayers! I look forward to getting to know you all, and I hope I can be of some encouragement to you all, we are all fighting for our lives!

I am so happy to find a GA forum! I couldn't find anyone who could relate! I live in Lawrenceville, and do not know of any support groups in my area. I was wondering has anyone had any experience with Peachtree Bariactrics ? Specifically, Dr. Titus Duncan or Dr. Hobson? I have heard nothing but good things about then. I would just like to know of any other experiences. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! I am so excited about my current journey! And I look forward to giving and getting much needed encouragement! Sincerely , Dekonte

I am in the process of getting the Lapband . I am definitely interested in a support group in Lawrenceville! is it alright if I use the link u provided? Also do you know anyone who had their surgery at Peachtree Bariactrics? If so could u please put me in contact withthem? Thanks and I look forward to hearing from u!

Thank you for this awesome post! I really enjoted reading my thoughts written by someone else! I am going for my referral on wed. I can't wait to show my PCP this thread! Thank you all so much... I know this site will continue to give me the encouragement I need!

Congratulations!!! On your band! You should be very proud of yourself for deciding to change and prolong your life! I am 27 yrs old and am on my journey to get my lapband! I would love to hear about your results! please keep in touch! Dekonte (that's my name it means everything has a time!) I figure its time to change my life for the better! Again congrats! I look forward to hearing about your success!

Wow! This is my first day on the site! and I have enjoyed your post so much! I am really excited for you! I haven't ben banded yet, but all I can say is with any addiction, prayer can and will change things.Pray about it. And remember how FLY you are going to be!

Hello friends! I am a 27 yr old single mom, from ATL, Ga. I am finally beginning my journey to get my Lap Band surgery done! I am so excited to find this site! My friends are so sick of hearing me talk about it! ( I think its because they really don't understand!And maybe because I have been talking since July 07) I am in the process of getting all of my clearances , and doing my pre-op! I have a few questions maybe you all can answer! Those of u who have had the band done, how is the loose skin? Are u loosing weight at the rate u would like? and do any of u all have any advice on making the procedure, more successful post-op? I am so excited about the procedure. and I am looking forward to making new friends and getting and giving the encouragement we all so desperately need during this transition! So here we go on this journey!

Hello I am new to the site! I am going through my clearances and I am so excited! Do u have any advice for a future bandster! I welcome all advice! I need it! And congratulations on your band!