URGENT! Anyone have the new REALIZE? Adjustable Gastric Band?

akapsi · October 7, 2007

I am scheduled for surgery on October 11th in Mexico. A few moments ago, I was contacted by the patient coordinator who said the older enamel lapbands are delayed in customs until October 20th.

They kindly offered to pay for the rescheduled flight, but also offered to keep the surgery for the current date if I were open to receiving the new REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band.

Thoughts anyone? It was just approved by the FDA in September and the official webpage will not be complete until December 2007.

I need to make a quick decision.. hoping someone has received this new band already....

Alexandra · October 7, 2007

I am scheduled for surgery on October 11th in Mexico. A few moments ago, I was contacted by the patient coordinator who said the older enamel lapbands are delayed in customs until October 20th.

I think they meant "Inamed" lapbands, right? There's no such thing as an "enamel" band.

As I understand it, the band that's just been approved has been in use under the name Swedish AGB for years now. Johnson & Johnson bought it, or the American rights to it, in order to compete with Inamed (now Allergan). And they've just received FDA approval.

Many, many patients banded outside the US have this band, and while there's nothing wrong with it they have found it difficult to get followup care here in the States because it was not FDA-approved. That may change now, but probably not for a good while. I'd be leery of getting anything other than in Inamed/Allergan band if you plan to have aftercare in the States.

akapsi · October 8, 2007

I am very new to the lapband terminology, so thank you for the correction. Now the that this is approved by the FDA, I will contact the doctor I planned to have follow visits with to make sure they can still provide services. Thank you for the heads up about US doctors. If this changes things about my ability to receive follow up care, I will just wait until after the 20th.

Here's the announcement about the FDA approval for anyone who's interested:

www.ethiconendo.com

WASaBubbleButt · October 8, 2007

If I had it all to do over again I would have gotten the Swedish band. With that said, keep in mind that with ANY new band there are usually kinks that need to be worked out of it. That held true for Inamed and every other band when they first came on the market. It's a new band, there are no studies or stats available for it yet. It's not exactly the same as the old Swedish band, J&J tweaked it here and there.

It might be 10x better than Inamed, it might be 10x worse. Nobody knows yet. So just know that before you make any decisions.

akapsi · October 8, 2007

Thank you so much Wasabub!

WASaBubbleButt · October 8, 2007

Thank you so much Wasabub!

If you have your heart set on an Inamed band and you have your heart set on your original surgery date, you might call some surgeons that do have the band. Some docs keep quite a stock of bands due to this very reason. This is not a new problem, it's an on going problem with the Mexican customs office. It's not just bands either, it's EVERYTHING that enters Mexico in a truck.

Just explain that you have a choice, getting the band later at "X" cost or going to them if they will match the price. :car: What do you have to lose?

akapsi · October 8, 2007

I actually don't have a preference. I'm just trying to make sure there aren't any extreme cases out there that I should be aware of. The doctor's office was very accomodating and offered a discount for the J&J band or to pay for the fee to reschedule my flight. My entire experience with Dr. Jose Rodriguez has been great. I think I'm going to go ahead with the J&J band.

Bullitt2410 · October 11, 2007

Good luck! I know your surgery is in two days, update us when you are able to

akapsi · October 14, 2007

I had my surgery yesterday and I feel great! No complications or extreme pains. I feel slight pressure in my chest - like a burp is stuck there, but other than that, I'm 100%.

My experience with Dr. Rod was great. The staff was warming and I was very well taken care of.

jamamama · October 14, 2007

Glad to here you were so well taken care of. My sister and I have a date in December with Dr. Rodriguez.

akapsi · October 16, 2007

I still have no pain or any of the symptoms I have heard others complaining of. The only pain I have is still that slight tightness in my chest. But, that's it. I'm actually considering going to work tomorrow. I drove to the post office today and it was somewhat uncomfortable, so that would be the only reason I don't go.

SpeechPath · October 17, 2007

I am flying out tomorrow to have the band placed in Tij, MX by Dr. Lopez. They called me also about the J&J band. I have been debating about this, but after to talking to some other docs I think i am going to do the J&J band also.