Hi all,

I am about 30 days post surgery and am not scheduled for my first fill (and my next appt) until the first week of December. I really wish it were sooner! I have read a couple of posts voicing the same concerns and worries I have - not feeling much restriction, feel like I haven't made as many changes as I should, ... This is totally different than any other weight loss attempt I've done and I feel a little like I'm lost out here! Like I said, wish my next appt was sooner so I could 'connect' again with my Dr., dietician, etc.

Last time I saw my Dr (to remove staples), they gave me a couple of books about the Realize My Success website. I signed up (you have to have a code from your Dr). I am not sure how it works. I'm wondering if my Dr and other team members (dietician, counselor) can access it and keep track of my progress via the website. (As I type this, I realize how silly this sounds and will call them in the morning to see if they do keep track). It seems like a great site, but there doesn't seem to be any feedback. Anyone else have any comments or experience with this site? (It keeps telling me I haven't updated the weight in over 2 weeks. My scale is completely different from the Dr. scale - that's why!).

Mary

I'm getting the Realize done 1/14/09--three days into the pre-op diet and so far so good.

Donnainva, I would love to know how you are feeling/doing after haveing your band placed...I am still trying to decide if Realize is the right choice for me and I would love to know how it's going for you....and most importantly!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!! :thumbup:

~M~

Donnainva, I would love to know how you are feeling/doing after haveing your band placed...I am still trying to decide if Realize is the right choice for me and I would love to know how it's going for you....and most importantly!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!! :thumbdown:

~M~

I have the Realize Bend. Had surgery 2 DEC and still have no problems at all...Great decision... I had my first fill this week (3 ccs) but can't really tell much difference...but I haven't tested it much either. I'm not losing weight fast...only 13 pounds since surgery...but I've been consistent and made it through Christmas without any gain, so I'm really pleased...I wish you the best!

Donnainva, I would love to know how you are feeling/doing after haveing your band placed...I am still trying to decide if Realize is the right choice for me and I would love to know how it's going for you....and most importantly!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!! :thumbdown:

~M~

For me it wasn't a choice of one band over the other--kinda like getting a Toyota or a Honda!

Anyway--I feel great I've lost a few more pounds then the ticker says I have, back to work on Monday. Not having any problems eating or drinking, didn't really have any gas issues or any real problems. My port site is very tender but all the other incisions are great. I'm afraid to say too many good things as you'll think I'm lying!

I could've done with another few days of painkillers--I had some pretty bad CO2 gas in by back/shoulder and my abdomen muscles really ached.

I was banded with the new Realize Band-C (11cc version) Monday 1/26. No incision pain but my port site incision is a little tender. I had some gas pain in my left shoulder yesterday (I walked slowly on my treadmill and used a heating pad to help relieve the pain). Today my gas pain is gone. I think the fact that they use a special staple tool (instead of sutures) to attach the Realize Band port minimizes the pain at the port site. Or maybe I was just lucky. Anyway, I went back to work today (from home) and I'm doing great.

I've been using TheDailyPlate to track my calories and protein. I like the fact that it has an extensive library of pre-packaged foods, since my wife and I don't cook alot from scratch. SparkPeople is supposed to be good also. I've looked at RealizeMySuccess but it wasn't why I chose the Realize Band. I mainly wanted the low-profile port (my surgeon doesn't use the optional low-profile port for the Lap-Band, but he implants both.

They didn't give me my second set of numbers at the hospital so I called the 1-800 number and they e-mailed it to me. I'm going to check the website out tonight.

I'm supposed to go to a few meetings at the hospital this year, I don't do well at meetings (they feel like AA meetings to me) I like doing stuff online a lot better.

TI'm supposed to go to a few meetings at the hospital this year, I don't do well at meetings (they feel like AA meetings to me) I like doing stuff online a lot better.

That's too bad. I love my support group meetings. For one thing, my surgeon runs them so I get more interaction with him. That always gives me confidence to follow the program since he so clearly knows what he's doing.

They aren't like an AA meeting either. We have topics and speakers as well as the post-ops getting to ask questions and talk about what is bugging them.

I love online too (obviously, since I'm always here), but in person serves a different function for me.

I've had my Realize Band since 2 DEC. Had my first fill a week ago. I'm still really pleased with my decision...not losing weight fast, but really steady 1-2 pounds a week. I'm o.k. with that...want my muscles and skin to keep up! (A friend just had plastic surgery to remove 18 pounds of extra skin...ugh! Who would have thought that was possible??) I'm praying for elasticity!

I've had my Realize Band since 2 DEC. Had my first fill a week ago. I'm still really pleased with my decision...not losing weight fast, but really steady 1-2 pounds a week. I'm o.k. with that...want my muscles and skin to keep up! (A friend just had plastic surgery to remove 18 pounds of extra skin...ugh! Who would have thought that was possible??) I'm praying for elasticity!

It might not be as bad as you think. My starting weight and goal weight were almost the same as yours . . . and after I lost everything I have just a little droop at the bottom of my stomach and my derriere is a tad wrinkly . . . but I am decent.

I am not even thinking about plastic surgery. (Also I had my first child very young and got a lot of stretch marks at that time so my skin is not the greatest - but it has held up well even so as far as weight loss is concerned.

I think I might have scared myself by watching too many programs on tv with plastics after major weight loss. If you are looking for semi-normal and not bikini model looks, you might just end up pretty pleased in the end.

It might not be as bad as you think. My starting weight and goal weight were almost the same as yours . . . and after I lost everything I have just a little droop at the bottom of my stomach and my derriere is a tad wrinkly . . . but I am decent.

I am not even thinking about plastic surgery. (Also I had my first child very young and got a lot of stretch marks at that time so my skin is not the greatest - but it has held up well even so as far as weight loss is concerned.

I think I might have scared myself by watching too many programs on tv with plastics after major weight loss. If you are looking for semi-normal and not bikini model looks, you might just end up pretty pleased in the end.

HeatherO;

I really appreciate your response...You've lost almost 100 pounds in a year and that is SUPER! You give me great hope. I may not be as successful with the skin, since I'm much older (59), but I'll go forward with great faith that I'll adapt!

I congratulate you on your progress...and on your new pregnancy..Keep up the good work and don't let that baby be a good excuse to eat too much!