Hey folks, so I thought it would be interesting to tell you of my appointment with Dr. Pinnar (of Reston VA) yesterday. Anyway, needless to say it didn't happen because they wanted $250 upfront just for me to meet the doctor. I haven't gotten approval yet, I'm not even sure if I apprpriately qualify but that's what they wanted from me just to say "What up" to the doctor. So, I was lucky enough to get another consultation appointment with another doctor (costs is just co-pay) but here is the issue. This doctor has not only been referred by my PCP but he's also been approved by Cigna Insurance to perform the surgery. The only thing is that he does the Realize Band, not the lap band and he's done it about 50 times. Is this a good or bad thing? Does anybody have any thoughts of Realize vs. Lap Band?

The choice between Realize and Lap Band is not an issue. I believe they are both really good. It's a bit like choosing between granny smith or golden delicious apples.

What should be more of a concern to you is the fact that your surgeon has only done 50 bands. This is a really low number and may indicate that this surgeon is not very experienced in this area.

Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band

Good info regarding each type.

Not sure, but 50 times doesn't sound so good to me.

My doctor does both LAP and Realize; for me he chose Realize. He has done probably a thousand surgeries so I trusted him to decide. Personally I might do some research on doctors who have more experience than 50. The other question is this doctor a specialist in gastro surgery or is he/she a general surgeon? A specialist has to do extra study in their area; so even it they have only done 50 it's not like they are joe shmo off the street.

My surgery was done at a teaching hospital. I was seen by no less than 4 Med students while I was in the hospital who were doing a specialty course in weight loss surgery.

My doctor does both LAP and Realize; for me he chose Realize. He has done probably a thousand surgeries so I trusted him to decide. Personally I might do some research on doctors who have more experience than 50. The other question is this doctor a specialist in gastro surgery or is he/she a general surgeon? A specialist has to do extra study in their area; so even it they have only done 50 it's not like they are joe shmo off the street.

My surgery was done at a teaching hospital. I was seen by no less than 4 Med students while I was in the hospital who were doing a specialty course in weight loss surgery.

Yes, I saw Dr. Anez yesterday and he told me that he has done around 60 procedures for the Realize band. But he is a gastro bypass specialist so that gives him some credibility. Also my primary care physician referred him and my insurance company mentioned him as well. Not only that, but his office seems to move pretty quickly in regards to getting the procedure done. I was even given a possible surgery date of late December.

If your doctor is in a practice with other, more experienced, doctors (who've done banding), I probably wouldn't worry too much. After all...everyone has to start somewhere.

If he's on his own, I guess I'd be more comfortable with someone with more experience. Just my .02.

I have the Realize band because that's what my surgeon uses. The choice of surgeon was more important to me than which band.

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