conztantlybuzy

As far as restrictions, do you mean food restrictions? Basically, there were food restrictions, but from what I have heard, they were not as restrictive as some others I have heard. I was eating egg beaters, tomato or split pea Soup, yogurt by week two, and by week three I was adding on more like cream of wheat and oatmeal, and by week's end...soft fish but that was my experience with my doctor. I am going to have my 2nd fill this Wednesday, and I just weighed myself, and I have lost 29-30 lbs...(not a digital scale). Regarding any food I eat now, its basically anything but in moderate portions, I just make sure that I chew well, and eat slowly. As far as knowing how much my fill was, my doctor doesn't tell me as he doesn't like his patients to get "hung up" on how much each fill is, and now that I am going in for my second and have read a lot of these message boards and see how many people talk about "how much their fills are" I can see that people do get hung up on that so...I guess I kind of agree with him. He knows and writes in down, and that's good with me, as he is concerned with the weight numbers either. He wants to know what I am eating and how I feel and what I am doing to feel better. To him, this is about the health issue, and not necessarily the numbers...as they will come along with the rest, but too many of us get caught up in the "numbers game" and get off the idea that we are going to be doing this the rest of our lives, so what we really need to do is change our eating patterns and how we look at how we see food and exercise. I will tell you, though...getting your first fill is weird, and an unusual experience...its doesn't hurt, its just a weird experience.

Taina good luck on your surgery. I am scheduled for my 2nd fill next week, and I am eating regular foods now and have lost around 28 pounds....I'll find out for sure on his scale next Tuesday. I am very comfortable with my Realize band and had no problems with my first fill and no pain at all. I have been able to eat a variety of foods and still lose weight...and am able to enjoy life.

Well that is your doctor's opinion, and if you agree then it is your choice. I made my choice and have the Realize Band and I have now lost 21 pounds in 4 weeks (Surgery Date was February 13), and am eating food without any problem, and haven't had any problems with throwing up and over eating and the only week where I felt any real discomfort was the first week after surgery, which I think any would feel with either band. So it is up to you as to what you would like, and as I had said before, if you agree, then you are set. If you don't agree, then you can talk to another doctor about a second opinion.

I've just had surgery 4 days ago, and I already feel the back pain, and the pain right under the left breast. I have been using a heating pad like its my best friend. But I am also wondering about the gas aspect too, as I am taking GASX and I seem to be able to release the gas, but so far I haven't been able to go to the bathroom. When will that happen? I was wondering if some of the pain is now having to do with that to.

Well, I would just like to thank all of you for this thread, as I am having surgery this Friday. I am a bit nervous and excited, and have decided on using the Realize Band after talking with the Surgeon and he said basically what you all said. I went a year ago to another seminar here for the LapBand and ended up not going through with it due to not really feeling comfortable with the whole process, the band and the surgeon. With the surgeon I am going to now, and his staff, and just the way that the Realize Band was explained to me, I am more comfortable and am looking forward to a new body. I do find it interesting reading all of your posts and seeing all of the different ways that each of your have experienced the Realize Band. I just hope that I will have success.