:bored :bored :bored well well I guess this site has nobody from the chatt. area and let me also guess that no body has been banded at memorial hos. by dr. fromm-paynter-or ponce?? Geez I sure feel like the lonesome stud here lol.

That doesn't surprise me that Johnna isn't calling you back. The nurses are good at returning calls, but she's not.

Hi everyone,

The Memorial Diabetes Center has certified that my blood sugar is now well controlled (avg. about 120 right now) so it looks like my surgery will be around the second week of January (in Dalton GA). I don't know the exact date because they don't have the January surgery schedule for Dalton yet (I'll find out in mid-December). I guess I'll be stsrting my pre-surgery liver diet shortly after Christmas and Dr. Ponce (from the Gastric Band Institute) will be doing my surgery (self-pay). When do I choose my type of band, and which one did you choose (and are you happy with your decision)?

You choose your band type at the pre-op class that they have you come to. It is a 3 hour class that basically covers everything that the nutrition class covered. At that time, they give a form to choose your band. Tiffany went over the differences between the two bands. I chose the Lap Band. I am happy with my choice. There wasn't really a particular reason that I chose that one. As a matter of fact, I tossed a coin because I hadn't expected to have to choose. You will find that some people swear that there is a major difference, but really they work the same. You can do a search on here and find threads about both Realize and Lap Band. I think one of the major differences is the port. Realize band has a lower profile port than Lap Band. Also, I think Realize is stapled some how to your muscle where Lap Band is sutured in. I really think that is the only real differences as far as the bands themselves. Realize does offer online support tools.

I hope my limited information helped some. Congrats on getting your bloodsugars under control! I know that was major. I hope that you get a good surgery date!

I chose the Lap Band just because it has been around longer. I think one of the main differences is with the Realize band, there is an online support group. You can pick a model and see what you will look like when you get to a certain weight. That would be neat, but I just decided to go with the Lap Band since there is more research on it.

Slim, my husband would love you avatar!

I picked the avatar because of my husband. He is a HUGE fan!

I picked the Realize band for no particular reason. Tiffany (the nurse) and Dr. Ponce both said there really is no difference except for the online support. LapBand now has that as well, so really, there isn't a difference. I've talked to people with either and no one had complaints.

The LapBand has been around longer in the U.S., but the Realize band has been around almost as long in Europe.

Good luck with your surgery! I had a great experience with the surgery center in Dalton. Everyone was very nice!

I didn't know the Lap Band has online support now.

Apparently they just started it. They told us about it at the last support group.

I'll have to check that out. I don't go to the support groups because I live in Cleveland and it is too far. I wish someone would start one up here.

I wonder why my signature didn't show up in my last post?

Maybe you unchecked the box next to "show your signature" by accident?

I have been blessed to have been banded since 2003, used Walter Rose, MD at Chattanooga, I live about halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga. Lost 140 pounds maintained but with daily committment, you have to use the band as a tool and it will be that way until I pass on....I am still a food addict :wink2: but the band has been so helpful. You still have food demons even 5 years out like I am, but the band helps with that and you have to be committed every day for the rest of your life to maintain. :smile2:

I am a member of our local Curves for Women gym and try to go 3x per week and love the facility and the SMART machines and the support they give and the accountability. I currently follow low carb diet (combination of south beach and weight watchers core plan). I still need to lose 50 more pounds and with the band and the Good Lord's help, I will succeed.

Good luck to all of you and the ones about to be banded. I used Dr Rose and he is a very good surgeon and I would highly recommend him to anyone.

It is so nice to see someone that has done well with this for years from around our area. It makes it more real somehow. Thanks for posting your information.

slim, did you ever get your money back?

Heck no! Johnna just stopped returning my calls. I finally got a statement in the mail from Dalton so I am going to call them. I don't know what if anything is ever going to be done about this. I have a feeling I will never see that money.