Joy1

I just had my first fill of 3cc's in a REALIZE Band yesterday, and feel no restriction, well, maybe I fill up a LITTLE faster and stay full a little longer.....We almost went for 4cc and chickened out. The only thing I could not ever eat (since banding) is steak that is not rare and TENDER....it pops right up. I am ready for this thing to make me know it is there, even if it is one bad experience!

Hi, ur surgery date is my b-day! YEAH!...for us!....I think we r hungry at first because most Drs. put the band on w/ NO fill, they give u 4-5 weeks to heal from the surgery til 1st "fill" u, so u are basically with little to no physical restriction 'til the fills begin!.....Personally, I cannot wait for my 1st. fill! Best of luck to u! :smile: Joy

I CAN!...It scares me!...I've only lost due to will power, my first fill is Halloween day....WOW, huh?...Anyway....I have lost @ 25 lbs. but NOTHING gives me problems and I am hungry a bit of the time, not much , but sometimes!.... Joy

I smoked right up to the night b4 surgery and had a great surgery experience.....I was a half ass smoker anyway, only with cocktails. my Dr. says it (nicotine) can cause ulceration around band and possible removal.....UGH!...Pain & Misery!........I may give in down the road but so far (Sept. 15) NONE :biggrin: I have a few drinks one night of the wknd. ( I choose) and some Weds. Everything else I am BY THE BOOK. GOOD LUCK! :biggrin: Joy

I went to Palmetto Baptist in downtown Columbia, Dr. Benjamen Tribble, He is awesome. I was a self pay, his fee for me was $1,500.00 (him), Hospital, including 1 night stay was 12,000.00 including anesthesia TOTAL, and their "clinic fee is $500.00. ( for Nut, Psy, and weight consultant), $250.00 at first visit and $250.00 right before surgery. Baptist let us pay $6,000.00 before and $6,000.00 30 days after. Dr. Tribble let me pay $750.00 before and $750.00 30 days. You have 90 days of free fills and if his Nurse Pract., Judy (AWESOME LADY) can do it, she does not charge u! I have to say I had a much better experience than a friend who went to the Dr. Givens group at Lex. Hospital! Phone # is 376-5982. They are a Bariactic Center of Excellance! Hope this helps....I truly had NO problems! :biggrin: Joy

Some of u are WORSE than my high school students, and I TEACH SPECIAL ED!!!!!!..If ur hair is failing out, get a wig and deal w/ it.....u don/t like the band, get it off and stay FAT...Just for God's sake, QUIT WHINING.......It is totally REVOLTING AND ruins the spirit and intent of the board! :wub: Joy

You NEED to lose the attitude....who died and named u queen of the boards! :wub: Joy

AMEN!.......To the WATER, WATER, WATER.....I will think that I am hungry and go drink 16 ozs. of water and I'm OK! Joy

Well, I'm going to be NO help at all, as I was banded Sept. 15, but I WILL repeat what my surgeon said, he was trained on this recently and he said it is ALL he WANTS to use, but will vary if Patient feels strongly...I felt both in my hands & the REALIZE band felt sooo good, very different from the hard little bubbles on the LAPBAND. One drawback, it is one size fits all. I've seen, at some point, the outcomes from other countries, (WE are ALWAYS tha LAST!), and they went out 3-5 years and were very positive. Personally, I've had NO problems, but NO restriction 'til Halloween day. I am satisfied! Joy

I HAVE to jump in this insanity and say....it DOES sound like you made AWFUL ( NOT just poor) decisions.....and who goes that many years without getting a 2nd opinion? I am a Dr's. wife and he used to specialize in Gastro.....& he is VERY pro-band for the right people.....OBVIOUSLY....#1: U were NOT a good candidate, #2: U had an ignorant Doc, #3: U did NOT take responsibility for ur own body (HEY!...It is the only one u get & so r those teeth!) Ur story is sooooo OUT THERE I am not sure u r not just someone who thot making up a bunch of $%^@ and writing it here was a good joke. If u need attention that much, u sure got it! Joy

Thank u for the kind translation!...I have broadened my vocabulary!........I don't know WHAT they switch, but it sure does not have a good outcome.......the name even SOUNDS nasty! Joy

I have a friend who went thru this when she started her 2 wks. pre-op Adkins Diet.....but as Dr. Oz says on Oprah, The VGG is a "self-ceaning oven", if u will....so maybe the post about too much washing is right on.........About the BO, I, for some reason had a terrible problem in college, dancing the night away at frat parties in cute little outfits which had big WET circles under the arms in NO time.........I used Mitchum ANTI-Prepersant Roll On......and IT WORKED!....Anti-presperants at different than deodrants. I still use an anti, not deodrant....Hope this makes some sense! Good luck!....Wear lots of perfume! :cool2: Joy