Neugene

Yes, we are very close. I really like Dr. Gersin. I find him to be very connected with what my band experience is, and has always worked with me to maximize the benefit of the band. Just try to remind yourself, this is a process... for some it is quicker than others, but I am proof that it will work but you must be patient. For me it is about "re-learning" how to eat not just what to eat. Slow, Slow, Slow, Chew, Chew, Chew, and small portions. My bet is you will be amazed at the little amount of fod that it takes to fully satisfy you. Best of luck,a nd if you have any questions about the surgery or post-op feel free to PM me.

Have been getting fills every 3-4 weeks since surgery date per my surgeon's fill schedule. As you would guess these have all been small and I was getting frustrated and even worried that my band may have a leak since I was feeling very little restriction. Until last Wednesday I have only had restriction in the morning and when I did not chew or ate too fast. My surgeon felt I was getting close, and decided to go with another .5cc on top of the 7.0cc in my 9cc realize band. UNBELIEVABLE the difference. I can now see how this is the tool that I read about and hoped for. I am still learning to eat WITH my band, doing better with each meal, but am amazed that no more than 1 cup (and for some foods less than that amount) leaves me feeling very full, and not wanting any more food. I write this to be an encouragement for those of us who are still searching for that elusive "sweet spot". For me it was only .5cc's away.

I have had similar concerns, and had posed the question to my Doc. wondering if my Band had a leak... As of this morning I have 7.5cc in a 9cc band. Too early to tell if this is the sweet spot, but I can definitely tell a difference form the last fill eventhough I am on liquids for the next 24 hrs. I am not sure that everyone's experience is the same but your pace of fills to get to 8cc's was MUCH more aggressive than mine. Good Luck, and Here's Hoping for Restriction!

PB = Productive Burp. For me, it is similar to your body using its gag reflex to clear the food from your puch and esophogus. Unlike vomiting, there is no odor nor stomach fluids with it. It is the food with a lot of mucous. Sorry to be graphic in my explanation, but you asked!

Not sure why they would staple... maybe it is preference. Was banded last Monday and was sutured internally and the external skin was glued... no steri strips except on the port site which was considerably larger than all the other. Good luck!!!

Was banded on Monday, Nov 3rd with the Realize band. My surgeon confirmed proper placement with a contrast swallow test on the fluoroscope. He said I may have some restriction from the swelling, but generally I would have nothing until my first fill in 6 weeks or so. Anyone have restriction immediately following band placement? My band was placed with NO fill... empty.

You will find as much passion offered with answers to your question as we will see on election day! I am being banded with the Realize band tomorrow - Nov 3rd!!! My surgeon prefers it to the LapBand because it is a slightly wider than the Allergan band, which in his opinion may mean less risk for slippage (although he is quick to point out that there is no clinical trial on that comparison yet), and the way the port attaches means about 10 minutes less time under anesthesia for me, and a much easier process for him. Otherwise he says both are excellent choices. The Realize band does have a set of webtools that as a patient you can use, but for me that was not a factor in chosing the Realize band. You can search this site and get dozens of threads on the subject. My advice... trust your surgeon

Beginning my 2 week pre-op full liquids diet on Monday 10/20. Going to dinner with friends tomorrow night for my "last meal". OKay... I know that it is not my last meal, but the Rare Prime Rib is going to be awesome :smile2:! Truth is I am growing very tired of eating in the quantities I have been that have gotten me to this weight, size and health. I guess the mental changes that will help me be successful with the band are already kicking in. Guess my next venture into beef land will be the petite cut, with leftovers, or better shared with my wife :thumbup:!!!

Had the test today and asked the question I posed in my first posting. The tech said that with deficencies in both Vit. D and Calcium that many if not most obese patients tend to have, osteopersis is a concern. Good news is that the test is a non event. You lay there and a high-tech x-ray machine "maps" your entire body. Took all of 20 mins. and I was confirmed not to have any osteopersis. So there you have it...

I am in Charlotte, NC and also have United Healthcare. So far they have been great. I completed all of he pre-work my surgeon required and his office submited my paperwork on the 13th and was approved on the 21st, but it took a week or so to get the letter from them, which is what my doc. needed to schedule me. My plan with UH, requires a 5 year weight history, as recorded by a physician (1 weight record in each of the past 5 years), a 35 BMI with co-morbidities..got those in spades!:eek:, or a 40+ BMI with no co-morbidities. My plan does not require a weight managemnt program prior. I hope you have the luck I did with UH!

I am approved and schedeuled for banding surgery on Nov 3rd. I received a letter today from the Surgeon who wants to run me through a bone density test. Cannot figure this one out... I am a male, 38 yrs old, very much ambulatory, no history of broken bones, no spinal curvatures. Cannot figure out why he is interested in testing me for this. Anyone have a perspective other than "Your Surgeon just wants to be thorough and rule out any potential for complications"