Ellisa

I copied and pasted the entire post above from the web site... did I break any rules? Copyright? Oh dear.

<table class="pt_doc_section"><tbody><tr class="pt_doc_section"><td class="pt_doc_section">Realize Band Laparoscopic Procedure - REALIZEBand.com The REALIZE Band and REALIZE Port<sup class="pt_doc_sscript">7</sup> The REALIZE Band is made of strong, flexible silicone and has a soft balloon that fits around the stomach. The balloon can hold up to 9 cc (1.8 teaspoons) of sterile saline which is medical grade saltwater. The amount of saline in the balloon controls the tightness around the stomach. </td><td class="sectionImage"></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="pt_doc_section"> <tbody><tr class="pt_doc_section"> <td class="pt_doc_section"> The balloon’s tightness affects how much food you are able to eat during a meal and the length of time it takes for food to leave your stomach pouch to travel through your digestive system. How does this help you achieve your weight loss goals and improve your quality of life? You’ll feel fuller sooner and stay fuller longer with the REALIZE Band. </td> </tr> </tbody></table> The band’s tubing is connected to the REALIZE Port. The port is made from an implant-grade medical plastic and silicone. It is usually fastened (or sutured) on the left or right side, about 2 inches below the rib cage. The exact location will depend upon your body shape and your surgeon’s decision. The REALIZE Port is attached during the gastric band procedure.

I figured it must be okay, never thought about why... The titanium thing makes sense.

What about screws and plates due to an ankle repair... does that metal cause a person to have issues if they are "shocked alive?" I never thought about it until someone mentioned the metal piercings here. Okay doctors, nurses, and meds students, what's the verdict? :thumbup:

I felt a lot of restriction post op, unfilled. Then 4 weeks later I had my 1st fill (under flouro) and had good restriction for a couple of weeks. 4 weeks later, had my second fill, and had good restriction for about one week. I go again in two weeks for my next one. My definition of "good restriction" is that when I take my first bite of food or swallow of liquid, I have the sensation that there's something in there around my stomach. Even when I don't have that sensation I still feel full at a reasonable point. I have 4 cc's of fill so far. I like that feeling that there's something down there, it's a nice little reminder. I guess that good restriction depends on your anatomy. As the swelling goes down following surgery and we lose weight, that point will constantly change. It seems that way for my DH also. Regarding how much is in the band, I'm not sure how other facilities do things, but DH and I go to different places. He goes to Barix in Columbus (where he had his surgery). He's never had a fill under flouro and my first one was under flouro. But after that at both places, before adding any fill, they remove what is in our bands to see what's there, then add additional. I think that's so they can tell if there's leakage.

I've only lost 30 lbs in a little over 2 months, with my "crappy" band. Just think with a LapBand I could've been at goal by now! Sure wish I had gotten the other one. LOL

Wasa, Right on! My port incision is less than 1.5" and shrinking; it was a little longer right after my surgery. I suspect a lot has to do with how we are built as well as our surgeon's technique. I don't carry most of my weight in my stomach area. My husband did. His incision, two years out (LapBand) is larger than mine (Realize) 2 months out. I doubt it's because of our ports. I don't think I've ever mentioned which band I have to people that I've spoken with who are considering getting banded. I'm not "con" either band; I guess I'm "Pro" both. I AM all about finding the best surgeon you can. I looked for one with a good reputation among his patients and peers who was highly skilled and experienced. In my case, I also wanted him/her to be in network for my insurance. I personally knew someone who had Dr. Curry for a surgeon before I checked him out. I don't mind people "knocking" my band... but they better not "knock" my surgeon. :blushing: I get a little testy about that, because I did my research there! In case anyone wants to know, I'm not on his payroll. I live more than 2 hours away so I'm not sending business his way because the folks I know who are considering banding prefer not to travel that far. But they have researched to find a reputable surgeon closer to home. Wasa you explained the anchoring system far better than I could have. And perhaps this is surgical technique by the individual surgeon, but I understood that it was more "deeply/securely" attached. And I trust that mine was done properly. But I also trust that my husband's was sewn properly!

No regrets here. Well, only that I didn't do it sooner!

My scar is smaller than my husband's. As you pointed out on the other thread Isuza, it's about surgical technique.

I don't know what Wasa was refering to, perhaps something altogether different. But at Dr. Curry's office we were shown and handled both bands. The port on the Realize band was anchored in a different manner. It has a self anchoring device. The LapBand is sewn in place. It was explained that the Realize band takes a little less time to place and is placed a little differently. I'm trying to remember, but I'm thinking it's anchored more deeply into the muscle. Also last fall, when I was in the pre-banding process, the Realize port was a little bit flatter than the LapBand port. I don't know if that has changed or not. Since I know someone personally who had her port "flip" before her first fill and had the sewn LapBand, I thought hmmm, maybe this other way is better. Some people in my group didn't like the thought of the self anchoring and wanted one that was sewn. But from what I gather, ports sometimes flip regardless of the brand. And my DH has the LapBand and his port is just fine after 2 years. Dr. Curry likes both bands and offers both. And frankly, I would not care which one I have as long as it works properly. But some people do feel strongly one way or the other and I suppose that's why we have competition in the industry. And that's a good thing in IMHO.

I think I'm the one who brought up the question of what college he attended, it was in the context of using YouTube and Wikipedia to back up his statements, and then saying I doubted his college would allow that on his research papers. When I asked which one, it was rhetorical. I didn't expect an answer, because of course no reputable college would allow that; except in a creative/rhetorical writing class. I wasn't actually trying to get the information about where he attends school. I agree that would be a stupid thing to do. Also when I asked about his surgeon, it was again rhetorical. Isuzu called my surgeon a moron and me a "fool" when my signature clearly states who my surgeon is. (Go back to page 1) That was a little over the top on the rude chart. By the way, I didn't choose Dr. Curry because of any bulletin boards. I had already chosen him before I ever knew the boards existed. I chose him because of a family member who had RNY about 5 years ago who thought the world revolved around him. LOL Then I checked to see if he was experienced with banding. I found out that not only was he experienced but he also was at the time (September) the only surgeon in the state certified by Allergan to teach other surgeons to do the banding. That was good enough for me. By the time I was actually ready to be banded he began offering the Realize Band in addition to the LapBand. He's a proctor for both. I opted for the Realize band.

Did the original poster lose interest?

THAT is encouraging! Good for you!

I'd have to agree, it's all case by case. My DH was not told 2 years ago not to drink with his meals. So he always has. He doesn't know what sliming or PBing mean. He's lost 140 lbs. He's a guy, of course it's easier for guys to lose. He doesn't drink a lot because he can't eat as much. I was told not to drink. Haven't been able to break the habit. So if I don't lose, it's my own fault! But I've also never PBed or slimed, ever. But I also think I don't yet have enough restriction, only two fills so far.

To infinity and beyond! When I play pinochle I don't win a car either. But it's fun anyway. And I even have fun when I don't win. When this quits being fun, I'll find someplace else to play. MacMadam, I should have said the older band predates Michael Donovan's 2007 YouTube video. Need to give credit where credit is due. Michael is a very talented guy.

I doubt the YouTube video is any medical device at all. If the device were from the '80's it would predate YouTube by a couple of decades. Buzz Lightyear (in the YouTube video) was quite convincing, don't ya think? It's cute and cleaver, and Isuza is getting extra hits on it. What do ya suppose it's rating is now? I think that is the whole game being run here. Isuza wins cause we hit his/her video.

Isuza, You know very well that the band in that video is not the Realize Band. The port looks like something some kids put together for a science project. It looks metalic not at all like the one on Johnson and Johnson's web site, which looks like the one I handled in my doctor's office. Do people get paid for hits on their YouTube videos? It's an honest question, I really have no idea. I would be surprised if the school you are attending allows you to use YouTube videos and Wikipedia as references on your papers. But if you can, let me know which school that is. And you've never told us who your surgeon is that showed you a Realize Band but doesn't use it, or where he/she is located. I trust my surgeon and proudly post his name on my signature.

Thanks Lee and Michelle for giving us the "real skinny." And Michelle, I'll be looking forward to seeing you as a bandit, whoa within 2 weeks! I've been on other boards and every so often a knight in shining armor pops in to tell the group how the plan they are doing is going to kill them, they know so much more than the rest of the world, always have some inside track on the "conspiracy," without providing any proof of course, and yadda yadda. So to sort out the real posters from the ones who just want a reaction or have an agenda, like Lee, I look for other posts by that person. When we don't see them posting about absolutely anything but their agenda item we know what's going on. They eventually move on and don't fool anyone. But hey, they are always amusing while they last. Okay, I'm old, it doesn't take much to amuse me.

Wow this is interesting... "each" company is paying our surgeons $5000 per "event?" That ought to help bring the price down. And since according you your research they are both paying this, the playing field is level. No need for the docs to recommend one over the other, just for extra cash, cause they are getting it anyway. I wonder how the companies are making any money. They must be reimbursing more than they are charging. Awesome. I hope more medical equipment suppliers start that.

Isuza, I think we all have gotten your message. Obviously the only thing you have accomplished here is to make some people, like ME for example, all the more satisfied with the choice we've made. I honestly didn't know I felt so strongly about it until you helped me to examine it more thoroughly. I doubt anyone is going to take advice from any anonymous poster who we know nothing about over the advice of the surgeons we have trusted with our health and lives. I hope next time you have a week off you have something more interesting to do. I can't imagine a busy pre med student with so much time for strangers. Perhaps you'll get some friends to take your mind off all this in time. Hang in there, deary. You are obviously compassionate and caring, it's just that while I enjoy my cyber friends, I don't take medical, financial, or other important kinds of advice from them. It might give me pause to investigate, but I don't fall for the "hey we're gonna give you a million dollars if you'll just give us your bank account numbers" any more than I would make a health choice based on the advice of someone I know nothing about. I think the rest of the folks here are that smart too.

Isuza, I'm sure that was an oversight, but you didn't post the links to those studies. You are such a caring person. I plan to call a couple of my friends who are in the process of getting bands to recomend that they wait until Allergan corrects the issue that needs correcting with this next generation band. I'd like for them to look at the studies. But what would be really helpful would be if you could provide a link about what that next generation LapBand needs to correct so they'll know what they are getting into if the have one put in now. That's awesome that you have researched that so thoroughly. Thanks in advance for you help.

Now THAT's a NSV if ever there was one! Good for you!

Isuza, Thanks so much for letting people know that there is an improved product in the works. Waiting might be the best thing to do if some are concerned about what needs to be improved about these contraptions. Hope all goes well. Where are you having your surgery? Who is your surgeon?

Shiny, I thought I understood you to say the doctor said yours is inflated all the way (360). Since you were banded so recently I can't imagine that your doctor would use the type that doesn't inflate all the way. But checking with your doctor is the only way to know for sure. But you'll be fine regardless. My DH has the older LapBand (for two years) and hasn't had any problems. Apparently the stomach doesn't care too much how equal the inflation is all the way around. At least his doesn't. LOL

What's your secret destiny? That is awesome!