REALIZEinCT

Like a lot of people here, I had 2nd thoughts right up until surgery (4/1/09)...especially week leading up to it. Because I was on the 2 week pre-op Optifast diet and weight was falling off I began to think "I don't need surgery, I can do this on my own!" Then I came to the realization that I can't live on Optifast forever and I haven't been able to lose weight and keep it off on my own ever so why could I now? For me, the surgery was a piece of cake. I never needed pain killers or anything. I have no regrets about the surgery. When I woke up from surgery the 1st thing the nurse said to me was "You've done a great thing! You're healthy and this is going to make you even healthier". That positive reinforcement was exactly what I needed and I haven't regretted it yet. I think it's normal to 2nd guess yourself though.

My surgeon gave me the option of the LapBand or Realize. He explained the differences and stated his preference was for the Realize band for me but he left the decision up to me and what I felt comfortable with. I chose the Realize band based on his recommendation. The main differences between the two are the port size (Realize ports are smaller/slimmer), the construction of the port (Realize port is hard plastic which my surgeon explained would not allow punctures and leaks if they missed with the needle during a fill) and how the port attaches to your abdominal wall (Realize ports don't need sutures which can break -- they "Clamp" on to your ab muscle). Realize also has the website tracker that the surgeon can utilize to monitor your progress and identify problems quicker. I'm happy with my choice but I don't think you can go wrong either way.

The same thing happened to me (banded 4/1/09). My surgeon told me that it was an allergic reaction to the glue that they put under the steri strips. He said I also had an alergic reaction to the glue (alcohol based) on the topical dressings that they put on. Once those dressings came off the itching started to subside and it's gone now. Check with your surgeon but that's my guess.

In any laproscopic surgery they pump your stomach full of gas which basically just gives the doc room to work in. At the end of the surgery they try to get as much out as they can by squeezing it out...kinda like a balloon. It's hard to get it all out and some remains which ultimately gets reabsorbed into your body. In the meantime it might form bubbles which move around and cause that pain. Walk and sit up as much as possible and that'll help. There's nothing else you can do beside that and give it some time (a few days). The pain will be worth it in the end so hang in there!

I just got a Realize band on 4/1/09. So far so good...down 37 pounds since I began the journey in 11/08.

Have you tried taking some Papaya Enzymes? You can get a bottle of it in the vitamin aisle at Walmart.

Congratulations Carbgirl! Keep us posted.

Totally makes sense! To put it another way, it's about feeling comfortable in your own skin! Congratulations on your great success...you look great.

I did 12 days of Optifast and 2 days of clear liquids only. My surgeon's standard protocol.

Good luck Shannon! Keep us posted!

I can't speak for anyone else here but I know for myself that the insurance-required psych visit was eye opening. I didn't want to go but was glad I did. I learned how to distinguish between hunger and "head hunger". I'm not saying it's been easy but just being able to identify it has helped and made me stop before eating something I really wanted to but shouldn't. I was only banded on 4/1 but have used this knowledge pre-op to help me lose some weight.

The band won't work by itself. I suggest that you get some counseling from the psychologist that did your pre-op. This is probably someone who understands food addiction and like any other addiction, it takes hard work to break but it can be done!! If you rely solely on the band you will be disappointed. Good luck!

I was just banded on 4/1/09 but I can say for sure that the whole experience thus far, from doing all the pre-op stuff to the surgery and now after has been 100% positive for me. I have no regrets. Along the way I learned a lot about myself and feel that I now have been given the mental tools as well as the physical tool (the band) to be successful. Good luck to you in your decision making and journey.

Sounds like your stomach is probably pretty swollen and creating more restriction than you'd normally have with an empty band. My guess is that as the swelling goes down in the next few days you won't have the restriction and the sliming will stop. But you should call your doctor is your not sure.

What questions do you have?

Hi Jodi, I was just banded on 4/1/09. I can tell you that between 10/08 when I started this journey up until the day of surgery I had a lot of the same questions and doubts. But, I figured that I have not been able to do it on my own for my whole life so what makes me think I can now? Also, unlike you, my PCP was very supportive. I was nervous about asking him as well but for no reason as it turns out. He also told me that he has several patients who have been banded and it has worked out well for them. As with most insurance companies, mine required a psych eval. I was hesitant to go because I'm not into those things but when I left, I was so glad that I went. The psychologist opened my eyes to emotional eating. She made me realize that (as I kinda knew) a lot of eating is emotional. More importantly, I learned how to identify when emotional eating is about to happen and then avoid it. Make the decision that's right for you but know that most of us (all?) had the same mind games leading up to the ultimate decision. I haven't regretted it for a second. It's been a great experience for me so far. Good luck!

Great tip for a new bandster such as me!

Yes, I am aware that many patients don't have insurance coverage for this proceedure. My point was simply that there is a huge variation in costs depending on the surgeon, hospital, area of the country, etc. I give all you self-payers huge props!! :glare:

Wow! You guys got bargains! It was $19k in Connecticut. Thank God for insurance!

I was just banded on 4/1/09 with the Realize Band. Everything is going very well so far. I think the main differences between Lap/Realize is the Realize website which acts as sort of a coach where you can track everything...weight, measurements, photos, food consumption, exercise, fill level, etc. The key is that your surgeons office can view your site and keep track of you. They also get alerted when something goes awry (ie. weight gain) so that they can get you back on track quickly. The other main advantage that I see is that the port is about half the size of the Lapband. And, it's made of hard plastic (except where the needle goes) which will prevent punctures in case they miss on a fill. Anyway, very happy with my band and the total experience so far.

Hi, Just wanted to introduce myself. I was banded on 4/1/09. I got a Realize Band, not Lap-Band. The surgery went far better than I expected it to. I've had minimal pain, the pain now is mostly from the "port site". Since I started this journey last November, I've lost about 24 lbs and look forward to losing a whole lot more. For me, the liquid diet has been easy. It's amazing how well you can function on 800 or 900 calories a day! :welldoneclap: I'm sure it won't always be this easy and that there are challenges to come so I'm glad I found this group.

I haven't had a fill yet (banded on 4/1/09) but my surgeon told me that the first 2-3 cc's of fill actually only fills the tubing and not the band itself. He says he does it that way to acclimate his patients to the "fill process".

Thanks for adding me to the list PharmaGirl!