Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Anyone had 1st fill with "Realize" band?



Recommended Posts

I have the realize band from Johnson & Johnson and had my first fill yesterday. I don't notice any difference as of yet and was just wanting input from anyone with the same type band. how soon did you feel restriction? did it take several fills..etc... Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I have a Realize Band and am getting my first fill next Friday. I am anxious to know what the restriction will be like because I am eating way to much. I'm mostly eating Protein but can down 6-8 oz. no problem.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my first fill today (about 1 hour ago). I guess I feel some restriction even though he put in 3.2 ccs!! I am concerned that tomorrow I am going to try to drink a Protein shake and vomit. The radiologist said to see how it goes and if I have problems to come back in asap. I hope to God I dont have any problems. I cant really describe the feeling I have right now. I am not in pain but feel full even though my tummy is growling from not being able to eat anything after midnight. I also feel like I need to burp but have had problems with that since I had the surgery. I am glad to hear from others who have had the Realize band. I didnt even know I got the Realize band until my first post op appt. Hey, does anyone know how many ccs this particular band can hold? Thanks.

Pre-op weight: 297 Weight today: 272

Surgery 4/23/08

J&J Realize Band

Dr. Katkhouda at University of Southern California

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a realize band, this is my third fill in 4 months. I started feeling some restriction at my second. I now have my third fill and i am eating so much less. chicken is really hard for me sometimes, but i now can actually see how the lap band is supposed to work.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have the realize band and had a small fill (2 cc's) 2 weeks after surgery. I do have some restriction but I have to eat very slow to recognize it or if I eat to fast...I feel it about 5 min after I eat. Loving my band though!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am so sick and frustrated with this thing. I have had 5 fills with this thing and I can still eat big portions.

The last fill I had (6-5-08) I was sliming when I had Water in the office. The doc took out half of what he put in that day and I felt much better. This is all fine and dandy, but now I can eat huge portions and not get stuck. Even though he did leave in a half of a fill.

I have only lost 30 pounds sicne DECEMBER, I am getting to the point where I think this just isnt going to work for me........

Any suggestions, similar stories....anything??? Please help

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am so sick and frustrated with this thing. I have had 5 fills with this thing and I can still eat big portions.

The last fill I had (6-5-08) I was sliming when I had Water in the office. The doc took out half of what he put in that day and I felt much better. This is all fine and dandy, but now I can eat huge portions and not get stuck. Even though he did leave in a half of a fill.

I have only lost 30 pounds sicne DECEMBER, I am getting to the point where I think this just isnt going to work for me........

Any suggestions, similar stories....anything??? Please help

How much did your doc put in that day? Maybe he can just add a slight bit more to see how you react. It sounds like you have a very thin line between too tight and "sweet spot".

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I had my first fill with the realize band and I am keeping Water down, but I am burping. I feel big time restriction, I was given 3cc. I am hoping and praying to God it is not to tight. I will be on liquids for days, then soft foods. I think I will be okay, I heard that you can be swolllen after the first fill.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi guys, I had my first fill in my Realize band today, I got 3 cc's. I can't really tell yet if I feel any more restriction than I did before. My doctor says it's ok if we eat "normal" food the first day (surprised me) so I just got back from having a chicken caeser salad for lunch (minus the croutons, and with just a little bit of dressing) -- ate it slowly and it went down fine. I feel pretty full. I guess I'll see how it does in the next couple of days. My next fill is scheduled for 2 weeks from today.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded March 28, 2008, and had my third fill on June 10th, one week ago. I now have 8cc in my Realize band. (First fill was 3cc, second fill 3cc. and third filll 2cc.) At first I felt too tight, but the past 2 days have been much better. I think I am close to my "sweet spot" but will reserve judgement for a while. bread is hard to get down but it is possible if I take tiny bites and chew a lot. I also feel stuck if I eat too fast or have overcooked meat.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded 6/13 and have had 2 fills now, the first was 5 cc one month post-op, the second was 2 more cc 2 weeks ago. I am now with great restriction at 7cc. I was PBing almost every time I ate because I was eating fast, too many big bites and choosing the wrong foods. I haven't PBed in a few days since I went back to Weight Watchers on the COR plan. I guess I need more accountability and I always felt that at WW.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my first fill a couple of days ago: 3cc's. I feel slight restriction, but clearly will need more in there. I can still eat around 6 oz. or so, and I think I need to get down to 3 oz. So I'll call for an appt. in 2 weeks, and see how fill #2 goes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my first fill on Friday (Halloween) 2.4 CCs. I don't feel much restriction. I got my Realize band on October 7th, so my fill was just three weeks and three days after my surgery. I'm still eating mushy Protein, so maybe once I start real solids (after Tuesday) I will feel more restriction. I am losing weight, but I can eat more than three ounces at each meal. I have not scheduled another fill, but see the doctor on Wednesday, so maybe I will schedule one then. I had my surgery at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois, Dr. Brian Lahmann. I started at 262lbs, lost nine pounds on the pre-op diet and now weight 238. I am happy so far.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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

        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.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×