REALIZEinCT

Personally, I'm avoiding all the "good junk" like the plaque. I figure that since I'm not really having cravings yet (or small ones that I can defeat) then why risk falling off the wagon? But, I think once you have a good handle on your new habits it's okay to have a treat once in a while.

I asked the clerk at GNC for the highest protein, lowest sugar, lowest calorie whey they had. This is what he recommended and it doesn't taste bad either! Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard - Chocolate Malt - OPTIMUM NUTRITION - GNC

I got my band on 4/1/09. So far no complications and everything has gone very well. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. I would do it again in a heartbeat. If you want motivation, take a look at the before & after pictures on this site! :frown: Let us know what specific questions you have. Good luck with your decision!

Banded 4/1/09!!

That happened to me when I started the pre-op liquid diet. It started day3, got worst day 4 and really sucked on day 5. Day 6 it started to go away and by day 7 it was gone and I have had no more problems. You might have to suffer through a few days but it's sooooo worth it! :glare: Good Luck and congratulations on your decision.

I just had my 1st fill today. My surgeon said to stay on liquids today and mushy food tomorrow then back to solids.

I just got my first fill today 3cc's into my Realize Band. The surgeon did not numb the site. There was absolutely no pain. I could feel the band during the fill. He put the Fluid in and took it out 3 or 4 times. Said he was "priming" it to get all the air out of the tube. I don't feel any restriction yet but I know from reading here that it may take a while. My question is: The doctor wants me back in 2 weeks for an additional fill. Is this the normal procedure? I thought they were spaced further apart. Not complaining and I trust him, just curious about others' experience.

Welcome Heather! Congratulations on being banded and having your 1st fill. I am getting my 1st fill tomorrow (5/8). Keep us posted on your progress.

Congratulations on what you've accomplished!!

I got the Realize Band. My surgeon does both. He was willing to give me either but he likes the Realize band because of the lower profile port and its' construction. The Realize port is hard plastic so if he misses with the needle on a fill (which is common) the needle can't puncture the Realize port like it can the Lap Band port which is a soft material and potentially cause a leak. The way the Realize port attaches to your stomach is also different. It "clamps" on with these sharp little teeth versus being stitched on to the muscle. The stitches, I'm told can break more easily. I think you'll be fine with either, go with what the Doctor that you trust recommends.

There's a doctor that seems more interested in making a buck than patient care.

I was able to sleep on my stomach after about 3 weeks.

Mine is located in just under the breastbone a little right of center. I can't speak to the bra issue but if your getting a Realize band the ports are much lower profile than the LapBand. If you are getting a LapBand, you might want to ask the surgeon to use the low profile port instead of the standard one. Good luck and congratulations on your decision.

Hi, I am 36, just banded on 4/1/09. Going for my 1st fill on 5/8. Very happy so far.

I'm with you acasner and Jachut but some would argue that if you eat b/c you just love food or are bored then that is a type of emotional eating. Guess it just depends on how liberal of a definition you have. It does not mean that you need to lay on an couch in an office 5 days a week!

52 gram protein shake?? Can you send me the recipe?

Thanks for the compliment sheshe! The process for me was very easy. I had the normal surgeon consult, psych, nutriotionalist and the usual blood tests, and abdominal ultrasound. I was on Prevacid (30mg) everyday but have not needed it since surgery! Because of my age and otherwise good health, my surgeon did not require any other tests like an endoscopy. He told me that when he does the surgery he checks for hiatal hernia (I didn't have one) anyway so he didn't feel it necessary to put me through anything additional. I went from seminar to surgery in 6 months but could have been there in 4, it was just more convenient for me to have the surgery when I did. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

I was banded on 4/1/09. I have Anthem BCBS (in CT). My BMI was 41.5 and the only co-morbidity I had is GERD. My PC had to submit a letter to the surgeon (which was forwarded to ins. co) stating that he agrees with the surgery and giving a historical weight and any attempts to lose weight. The psychologist did the same. Other than that it was smooth sailing; easy approval. Good Luck!

I was banded on 4/1/09 and had an allergic reaction to the dermabond and to the glue used to hold the topical bandages on. It was itchy as hell but all better now!

Hi Ashley, I was banded on 4/1/09! Congratulations and good luck in your journey. Keep us posted!

Sounds like you might have a leak? Has your doctor checked that? I assume since you've had the studies done that the band did not slip? What does your doctor think?

I don't think that there's such a thing as to much exercise as long as you're not injuring yourself. Keep it up, you look great and your an inspiration to the rest of us

JJ-- The pain on your left side is likely where your port is located. They stitch it to your abdominal muscle so it'll be tender there for a little while. You're stomach is also really swollen from the surgery so the swelling plus the band create some restriction which is probably what's causing the tight feeling. Take smaller sips of liquids to help with the dry heaving. As the swelling goes down over the next few days this will probably go away. Hang in there because it will be worth it in the end

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.