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Desperate Help needed...

rcruz

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rcruz    0

rcruz
Posted

I am so confused I am new to this site and I am looking ofr answers like yesterday, actually yesterday I went to pre-op and was told I could chose which band I wanted I was like what the heck?!?!?! He showed them to me and one looked like the one I have seen like forever but another one was wider and the port was smaller I am trying to find out which one is which and maybe better, I have been reading tht one may show a little more restriction and that is what I want or feel I want can anyone help with this? I need to make my decision in the next few days. One I have read is less likely to erosion?!?!?! Thanks!

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Brian    2

Brian
Posted

Hi, I am in something of the same boat, scheduled June 30th. I don't think the answer is known; i.e. the better band. J&J no doubt wants to cash in on the market and has come up with their own product. They made it a little different, wider band, (don't know how much) and the port is same diameter, but apparently a little "shorter". And the materials are different. My office nurse says our doctors have looked at both and are still opting for the Allergan band. Stated reason is what they think is the superior material, (long lasting). They are not impressed with any studies on slippage and erosion, no significant statistical difference. Ok, that may or may not be all true. What is true is that you are "buying" a 2008 model, (yes it was used in Sweden first...) new models are always riskier than tried and true established models, (think of cars). My doctor also thinks the securing mechanism is better on the Allergan LB. But what seals the deal for me, my doctor has never put on a Realize Band, and is not "factory trained", as he was for the Lapband. I don't care to be the guinea pig on his learning curve. I would change doctors, do anything, (I'm self-pay) if I thought the Realize was clearly superior,etc. If I change my mind, I'll write back.

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rcruz    0

rcruz
Posted

Hello Brian thanks! So your saying you might go with the Allergan band? I actually saw the 2 bands and well the realize one looked more flexi, and wider PLUS the port was thinner and the thought of that huge plastic round thing around the other band well, sounds painful!! I am not sure I am going to do more research, keep me posted on your thoughts though ok!

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Lunabeane    2

Lunabeane
Posted

Hmmm...that is an interesting predicament. I left that decision up to my Dr. I figured that he was the professional and was used to using one product over another. I have no idea what type of band I have.

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coltonwade    27

coltonwade
Posted

Honestly this is just my opinion but I have real issues with doctors allowing patients to chose their band.

At least the size . Manufacturer that's one thing . But size that's another. I think my response to him would be " Your the professional you need to decide which band is BEST For MY ANATOMY "

I was told that the docs do not know what size band they will place until they get into the surgery and see your anatomy .

Hence why I have issues with docs having pts chose the size band they get.

Also the "Claims" of less erosion I do not think are 100% found yet .

they are more for marketing right now . So I am not sure i would put too much in that on either brand .

really I would tell the doc he needs to decide for you !

mindy

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coltonwade    27

coltonwade
Posted

Hmmm...that is an interesting predicament. I left that decision up to my Dr. I figured that he was the professional and was used to using one product over another. I have no idea what type of band I have.

I know what type of band i have , I was told AFTER the fact by my doc once he went in and saw what kind i needed.

But I agree the docs are the ones that know

I just have big issues with this .

Mindy

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rcruz    0

rcruz
Posted

I agree however he did say they work exactly the same so that I don't stress myself out I will mark no preference so that if he does get in there and decided on previous operations that one in paticular would be better is is able to make that decision.

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Putty    0

Putty
Posted

My husband and I both had lap band surgery in November. We have different bands. I have the Lapband and my husband has the realize band.

He can tolerate more foods, but I have lost more weight. I hope that little tidbit helps. Good Luck. It is the best thing that I have ever done.

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coltonwade    27

coltonwade
Posted

I agree however he did say they work exactly the same so that I don't stress myself out I will mark no preference so that if he does get in there and decided on previous operations that one in paticular would be better is is able to make that decision.

I think i would do that . if there is an option " No preference" then that's better. A lot of times what happeens is docs get "deals" on certain brands so they push that brand more , that way they make more money .

It does not sound like that is what your doc is doing but im still more inclinced to let my doc choose

Mindy

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coltonwade    27

coltonwade
Posted

My husband and I both had lap band surgery in November. We have different bands. I have the Lapband and my husband has the realize band.

He can tolerate more foods, but I have lost more weight. I hope that little tidbit helps. Good Luck. It is the best thing that I have ever done.

do ya'll have different size bands ?

Mindy

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coltonwade    27

coltonwade
Posted

Thank you colton!! I really appreciate your experience and support.

NO problem . really either way you are going to be fine, the choice will be fine im sure. I just think the doc should make it and should not have a patient make it .

Good luck your going to be a great loser !!

Mindy

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kathystrick    3

kathystrick
Posted

My husband and I both had lap band surgery in November. We have different bands. I have the Lapband and my husband has the realize band.

He can tolerate more foods, but I have lost more weight. I hope that little tidbit helps. Good Luck. It is the best thing that I have ever done.

Do you think that has more to do with the band, your different approaches to the plan, male/female differences, or something else?

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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