jen414

I just had my surgery yesterday. When I went to my seminar back in June 08, Fairfield County Bariatrics was only doing LapBands and Bypasses. I was about 20 minutes from surgery when my surgeon said, so we're all set for the realize band. I said to him I thought you didn't do the realize. My surgeon explained to me that he as done 7 prior realize band surgeries and likes it better than the LapBand. He also said that the port doesn't puncture like the LapBand. That was what sealed the deal for me. I decided to go for the Realize. Thanks for everyone's info on the differences. I didn't research the Realize band before hand.

Just checking in after yesterday's surgery. My surgeon gave me a last minute decision...did I want to do the LapBand or the Realize Band. I ended up getting the realize band. He said that one didn't have as many puncture issues. My insurance only covers 80% and I don't look forward to having to fix a port at some point. I ended up being my doctor's 8th Realize and first person to use the brand new Bariatric operating room. Other than that I've been taking it easy. I was nauseous last night but I'm doing well so far today.

Congrats on everyone who's been banded so far. You are all reassuring me and making me feel a little easier. I get banded tomorrow. My only real worry right now is that my husband has to work a 12 hour shift the day I am released. I'll be in the care of my grandmother and her sister. I think I"m ready for the aches and pains of surgery since I just had my gallbladder removed this summer (by the same doctor). I think I'm all set. I don't know about everyone else diet but my doctor has me drinking Isopure Zero Carb for protien during the first week. It's about 40g a carb per bottle and they told me to dilute it with Water. I tried it yesterday and it's very sticky sweet. It actually reminds me of warm just made Jello.

I'm also getting banded tomorrow (the 14th) at 8am! I started my pre-op diet on New Years Eve, 12 days of Opti-Fast and yesterday I started clear liquids. Yesterday was rough being at work but I've taken today off. I'm down about 14 pounds. I bought the magicbullet just so I can puree my own food that's seasoned. My nutrionist said just add a little Water to the food to make the puree.

My surgeon has a twin brother who is in practice with him. The office scheduled me for the 13th and I was all set to start my pre-op diet yesterday. I went to my appointment on Monday and met the twin. They scheduled me with the wrong doctor. Luckily I was able to schedule my surgery for the 14th. Because of this I felt like I had an extra day of "real food" and went around yesterday thinking what should I have today? I don't think I did too bad but my mind was on food all day. I start my Optifast today. I get six shakes and two bars because my BMI is 53/54ish. I am also allowed sugar free popsicles and carrots. I couldn't sleep because I was nervous thinking about the Optifast (I never did like Slimfast). It's not too bad, the chocolate tastes pretty good. I froze them yesterday and put them in the fridge last night. It was slushy and took about an hour to drink.

The closer I'm getting the more nervous I'm getting and my surgery is not until the 14th. I just started my Optifast this morning and I couldn't sleep last night wondering if it would taste okay and if I would be hungry.

I go to my doctor's today for my preop appointment. My surgery is in two weeks and I haven't even thought about what I needed after surgery other than my Isopure and comfy pajamas. You all gave me lots of questions to ask my surgeon.

January 13th seems to be a lucky day. My surgery is scheduled for the 13th at 7:30 by Dr. Floch in CT. It's been a long six months. Although I'm a little nervous about my liquid diet.

I used Anne Mata in Norwalk for my Mental Health evaluation. She works with Fairfield County Bariatrics (they are surgeons I'm using...they also did my gallbladder). I thought she was really good. She wanted to make sure that I was going through this for the right reasons and wanted to make sure that my family was on board. I've had no problems with anyone at my doctors or people they recommended me to so far. Anne was for mental health. She has a website www.annemata.com - Anne Mata LPC, NCC, CCMHC psychotherapist 94 East Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 (2 The nutrionist was Lynn and she is right at the doctor's office. Both Anne and Lynn run the monthly support groups after surgery. My insurance required 6 months of medically supervised nutrition/weight management. If I knew that I would have made sure I went on the scale everytime I went to my pcp. I've been going to him for weight loss for years...sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. I even went to him while trying weight watchers (which insurance doesn't count as proof you're trying to lose weight).

Hi Tanya, I'm also from CT but I'm doing my surgery in Norwalk. I'm obsese but when I mention it to others I always mention that I'm a little chubby. I don't know about your doctor but I can share about what I have gone through so far... I began this process in June. I've gone through 6 months of doctor/nutritionist supervised weight loss visits. Although at each one they both said don't lose weight the bigger you are the better. I've only lost 3 pounds. I have gone through the mental health and the nutritionist appointist that go through the actual diet. Although reading here I've noticed that everyone has a different diet. My surgeon will have me on a 2 week preop diet. I also needed my gallbladder out, I did that in July. Now I feel like I've jumped through enough hoops and I'm waiting for insurance. Hopefully it will come soon. My original idea was to get the surgery done in August (I'm a teacher) as you see that didn't happen but I'm still optimistic. I'm hoping for a New Year surgery.

I am also from CT. I am currently awaiting insurance approval. I am using Fairfield County Bariatrics. They have offices in Norwalk and Bridgeport. They work out of Norwalk Hosptial and St. Vincients. A coworker had her lapband done last year at St. Raphael. She loved her surgeon. Hope this helps.