I have been finding very little information/threads about the Johnson & Johnson band and I thought I could start a thread for those of us who have it. I understand that it is quite a bit different from the Invacare band being that it is quite a bit bigger. I had mine placed 8/30/07 and got a fill of 4.6ml 2 days later. I spoke with the lady at fill centers USA and she said that with the larger bands this has become more common but it still makes me a little nervous. I would love to hear from any one else with this band.

Kim

My friend had one.....past tense. She threw up for 12 weeks then the doctor removed it. He didn't blame it on the band, just on her particular reaction. She may try again in about 6 months.

I have been finding very little information/threads about the Johnson & Johnson band and I thought I could start a thread for those of us who have it. I understand that it is quite a bit different from the Invacare band being that it is quite a bit bigger. I had mine placed 8/30/07 and got a fill of 4.6ml 2 days later. I spoke with the lady at fill centers USA and she said that with the larger bands this has become more common but it still makes me a little nervous. I would love to hear from any one else with this band.

Kim

I had the JJ done on Dec 14 th in Monterrey Mexico, I was told to wait 6 weeks to get my fill. I think I can eat more then I should be able to. I'm not even sure who to see to get my fill. I plan to contact the fill centers USA. I've lost 12 lbs since my op. You can contact me at my e-mail dwalton1@hotmail.com

hi all,

I have the J&J. I was banded nov 10 2007. I have been doing great. No Pb's or nothing. i have lost a good amont of weight. I do think that it is time for a fill. Does anyone know how many cc's our band holds? I have stopped loosing. None this week so far. But all in all, I think I made a great choice in choosi, this band seeing that all the others are complaining about nausea/ vomiting/ pb.

I have the Realize band also. I've been told it is a 9cc band. I cannot believe the OP got banded 2 days after surgery??? That's basically unheard of. What about your stomach healing time? I would be kinda worried about that.

Otherwise, the Realize band offers longer-lasting restrictions, has a much lower rate of slippage, and my doc said his patients with the Realize (J&J) band are also losing weight at a much more steady pace. However, with all new products, it will be awhile before they know for sure if this band outweighs (pardon the pun) the older style bands in long-term performance. All studies that my doc has participated in up until now support the above findings...which is why he does Realize and only Realize bands now.

I'm comfortable in my doc's decision to use these bands. They sound like an upgrade and that makes me happy.

Where in Mexico did you go? I have heard about people going to Mexico and was curious where and how much cheaper it really is?

I have the J&J since 11/05, me and 2 other people that I know who have the same one. We have very little to no problems with it. My doc's said it was a 10cc. Was also banded in T.J. Cost was 7000. at that time.

I've got the Realize band. I was banded on Nov. 27th, and I feel quite restricted, so haven't had a fill yet. I've been steadily losing,at least 2 lbs a week for the past two months, had a few PBs, but otherwise, it's really helped to learn to make good choices food wise, so I'm ok with that. My doctor is happy with my results so far, and I just hope everything continues as it has! I've heard there was some sort of support group/resource and counseling available via the site, but I'm waiting for the information packet to come in from my doctor's office. Anyone been on the site yet?

I also have the J&J band... 10cc. I was banded on 1 Nov and had a 2cc fill on 12 Dec. I have very little restriction right now but have my 2nd fill this Wednesday. I assume that if I get another 2-3cc in it, my restriction should start to kick in.

I have the new REALIZE band...10cc. I had my fourth fill on Jan. 8th, and felt the "sweet spot". It seems to have wore off now. I have 5 cc's in my band right now. My next fill is on Feb 6th. So far since surgery I have lost 19 pounds, 7 pounds pre-op so I've lost 26 pounds total. I am never hungry between meals or even at meals. When I say it wore off, I mean now (like before surgery) I ate even when I wasn't hungry, which is why I was fat to begin with. When I got my fourth fill, I just could not physically eat much at each meal. Now, I do get chest discomfort when I eat a plate of food.

I can eat more now than I could when I first got the fill. I am hoping the next fill will give me the restriction I had.

I was banded with the Johnson & Johnson band in October in Monterrey, Mexico. I've had no problems so far. My first fill was after 6 weeks, 4cc. My second fill was one month later, 2cc. I have pretty good restriction now, but probably not at that elusive sweet spot. I haven't had any PBs, just some tightness in my chest a couple of times that let me know I needed to slow down and chew better.

I was banded with J & J on Dec 18th in Juarez. I was told it holds 11cc. I lost 30lbs in the first 4 weeks but have held steady between 25 and 30lbs since. Because of cost(ins. not covering) I am worried that I will get a good fill for my money...won't be able to go back quickly at $350 a pop! I planned on telling my doc to fill er up... I hope to hit the sweet spot the first fill! Maybe I'll get lucky....

About the "sweet spot" - another bandster told me that even after you reach your "sweet spot", as you lose more weight, you also lose fat around your stomach, so the band won't be as tight, so you'll need another fill.

Don't know if that's true, but it seems to make sense.

I'm confused...I have the Realize, and my doc said it was a 9 cc band. I read the website and all official information from J & J Realize direct, and they all say the band is 9 cc. The nurses on the Realize telephone support have also confirmed they are a maximum of 9 cc. They are all the same. I'm really confused as to why several of you are saying it is 10 cc. It's not.

I'm still waiting for the Doc's office to return my call to schedule an appiontment. :{ I've found it very hard to get after care when you've had the surgery in another counrty. I need my fill. when I call the Doc's office it just goes to voice mail and I've left 4 messages. I quess I'll have to drive down there and make an appiontment. Now I'm worried about paying 300 for the fill and getting cheated. I can't afford to keep going back for fills every month. Has anyone had got a fill the first time and felt it was working for them? Any tips on what to say to get the right amount? I'm really feeling alone here.

:cursing:

Thanks, Dawn

I have used the website "Realize my success". Its pretty neat. They even have a feature to link up with your dr's office so they can monitor you and catch you if you are "slipping" up. The website is ONLY available to people who have had their band placed in the US. I know this is an area of great frustration right now, but its just the way it is... for now. I have had one fill so far and was banded Jan7. My next fill is March 6. I have little or no restriction most days, but it does come and go for whatever reason.