pennreporter

Congratulations on your decision to at least have one of the bands. I have the Realize band and my daughter has the Lap-Band. In the end, they all do the same thing and you still have to learn to live with it. We're both cheap dinner dates these days...give us an appetizer and we're good to go...lol Wishing you a speedy recovery and a new life!! Trisha

Astera, I didn't see this post until after my other message to you. At 5ccs in my Realize band, I wasn't losing at all. My daughter has the Lap-Band and she has 6cc and is going in for a small fill tomorrow. My fill is too tight and I'm trying to work through it...but I definitely didn't have enough at 5cc. So it definitely sounds like you need another fill. I've lost about 8-10 lbs since going to 7ccs, and would be more if I'd get up off my lazy butt and exercise...duh. :biggrin: Good luck girl Trisha

DanBar, talk about a banded home!! :thumbdown: I think, like, you, it probably does make a difference male vs. female also, plus just the fact that everyone loses differently. I know with last fill to 7cc it has made a huge difference and just learning now how to slow my roll down on the eating. I guess your food bill in the home has changed drastically, huh? :thumbup: Trisha

Great2bthin, I'm not exactly sure what my hospital/surgeons' issues are with the band. They're very big on bypass and don't believe the results are as good. I totally don't agree and during the whole six-month pre-op program, it was a continual pressure to have the bypass, which being a low-BMI patient with comorbidities, bypass was absolutely never an option in my mind. My daughter had almost a hundred to lose and did just fine in just under a year. Having now gone through the process, I know why my hospital doesn't have the best results. They're extremely conservative on fills. A friend I chat with online is from the same hospital and her surgeon is every two months for follow-up visits/fills. I got very lucky in going with a new surgeon who had only done under 10 fills but he has been much more aggressive. I'm very pleased with my decision and it's been great having had my daughter go through it first. She wanted me to do it at the same time but...and this sounds silly maybe to some...she had struggled with her weight from about the age of 4-5. I wanted to her enjoy her journey and to be the "star" and not have to share the attention. I wanted it to be "her time." And it has been nothing short of miraculous the changes it made in her life. For me, just the fact that I can go up and down stairs without hurting or being able to go to gap and buy a pair of size 14 pants off the rack without the drama of clothes shopping is a blessing. (Can't wait for the size 10 shopping spree...lol) Good luck to all Trisha

I'm 58 and was banded 6/1/09. My only regret is not having done it sooner. I did consider all the risks , but the risks of all my comorbities far outweighed the risk of the band. My daughter was banded Feb of last year and has lost 100 lbs and had reconstructive plastic surgery for the excess skin. I've lost 54 lbs through the whole pre-op and post op journey. I also don't put huge goals on myself. I gave myself a year to lose, but I'm halfway there and feel a good ten years younger with no aches or pains in knees and ankle. So I agree there are risks and there are some people that are going to be more prone to problems than others and you do have to weigh all your options that are out there. My hospital won't do a band for anyone with over 100 lbs to lose. And having a good support base is extremely important also. Trisha

I'm at 7ccs in what I thought was an 11 cc, but now I'm not so sure. But I have to say, since this fill, I've been pretty tight. I went for about 3 days, no problem eating, everything is going hunky dory and my first thought is oh, my gawd, I've sprung a leak, I've slipped ...surely something is wrong..never did it cross my mind that I'm eating foods that I know are "safe," eating slow, not drinking with my food...nooo that never entered my mind. I was really kind of freaking out, that is until I got up yesterday and tried eating scrambled eggs...well, all is good in my band world. They promptly came back up. So I can breathe a sigh of relief. Trisha

Don't worry, Deann...if you read enough on here, both bands can have some negatives. I was banded 6/1/09 ...no problems so far. My daughter was banded 2/08 with Lap-Band...I really can't see any difference between the two of us...we both can PB just about as much...lol. The Realize band is larger of course than the smaller Lap-Band, so where my daughter is pretty tight at 6cc, mine is at 7cc. So don't let yourself get crazy over which one you should have done. In the end, they both do the same thing. And if you have confidence in your surgeon, and he didn't discourage either one, then that's all you can go on. There are people that are just going to be prone to problems, no matter which band they get. And truly you can make yourself crazy reading everything on this site. Hang in there, life will be great when you get to the right level of fill. Trisha

I think I probably PB more than I should and spit back up food more than I should, but I blame this on my learning curve, teaching my mind that even though I really do want that slice of pizza, I should know I can't eat it. As long as I eat what I know I can, and stop when I know I should, I don't have problems with PB. So I think to get to the sweet spot you have to go through some PB'ing. I would run, don't walk to get your next fill. I am now only at the point where my amount of food is down to 3/4 to a cup of food and it takes me at least half an hour. good luck and, yes, it's still work, still calorie counting and my biggest part I don't do is exercise. But I know what you mean when you don't watch it for a few days. I went up like four pounds over last weekend and I like had no clue what I had eaten. In hindsite it may have been the huge container (18 servings) of caramel corn that I ate over two days...lol Trisha

NYGuy, if you can still eat bread, you need a fill..:thumbup:. I have a Realize band. I'm at 7ccs, surgery was June 1, '09, and this was my third fill. I'm probably borderline too tight, but I'm bound to make it work, especially since I'm losing. I can't eat any bread at all. Stopped for a fish sandwich, kiddy size, two bites and I hacked the rest of the way home. But strange things go down without a prob, e.g. popcorn, but not chicken...go figure. If you're clothes size is going down, you're clearly losing inches. I know I don't exercise anywhere like I should . But hang in there for the next fill, it will make a huge difference. My daughter and I are both banded. We are real cheap dates these days..lol Trisha

Michelle, my daughter didn't really have to do a pre- or post-op diet. Her doctor who has done 4k bands, pretty just had her on soft foods for a few days and then told her she would know what she could eat and couldn't and wanted her to get onto as normal a diet as quickly as possible. He basically told her why would he put her on a liquid diet, clearly dieting had not been successful. The first two weeks after surgery I drank a lot of protein drinks...then after swelling went down, assuming your surgeon doesn't leave some fill in there from the surgery (some do, some don't, mine didn't), then I didn't have any restriction...so for the next couple of months it really was will power on my part. My doctor was very conservative. So I didn't get restriction until this past month with third fill. I didn't give up caffeine completely. But maybe cut it in half...I can still drink occasionally a carbonated soda...so I try to do diet ginger ale. I still drink tea, will do half-caff on coffee, but I'm only a one-cup-a-day person anyway. The Isopure drink I kind of drink on all day long, plus lots of water. You won't miss all the caffeine as much as you think. Ask you surgeon though if he leaves any fill in at the time of surgery. That will make a big difference after. It really does vary. Mine didn't, but you hear of people on here getting left with up to 3ccs. Good luck and you won't be sorry. Pain wise, it felt like I'd done about a thousand situps and only in shape for five...my surgeon has a procedure where he sucks out as much of the expansion gas as possible, so I had none of that type of pain at all. We'll be saving a place on the loser's bench for you.. Trisha

Congrats Mich on your decision and good luck nancy on your recent band. I was banded on June 1, 2009, and absolutely no regrets...even when I'm spitting up what I just ate...lol. I was just filled third time three weeks ago and I'm at 7ccs and it's taking some adjusting to get used to. But, in reality, I'm at the spot that I was told I would be at, only about 3/4 cup to a cup of food, 30-45 mins to eat, no liquids while eating...it is just taking me a while to get used to it...now I can eat all the popcorn in the world but can't get a piece of chicken down...go figure. So I really keep the Isopure protein down. Mich, I had to do the liquid diet for two weeks before. I feel for you. It's not the easiest thing, and I can't say I was perfect but I also didn't beat myself up because I had a small salad every once in a while. Now, it didn't help to have my daughter reminding me that her doctor didn't require any pre-op diet...thank you very much...:thumbup: I also had to do the same diet for a week afterwards and then gradually add soft foods over the next three weeks, but after is a whole lot easier. I didn't feel like eating then. But no regrets at all. Good luck to you both. Trisha

My only choice with my insurance company which is Geisinger (an HMO) was the Realize Band, unless of course I self-paid. Had my insurance not approved and I had to self pay, I probably would have done lap-band with my daughter's doctor, Dr. Spivak, in Houston...but in the end, my daughter and i both get stuck on the same things, both PB, both lose weight...and I guess you can have complications with any band if you're in the percentile that's going to have a problem. I'm only 4.5 months out, but so far I'm okay with the Realize. I have a friend that had the Lap-Band with the same insurance company (which I found out later there still some surgeons doing lap-band at another of their hospitals), but she has had more "issues" with hers, but I don't chalk that up to the band but the inexperience of our surgeons at performing any banding procedures. Her port was placed down by her waistline which causes her problems and problems with fills. I would also suggest if you have the confidence in your surgeon, along with your own research, also trusting your surgeons recommendation. My surgeon had only done five procedures period and I think I was his first Realize guinea pig (he's done lots of bypasses) but he's been absolutely wonderful and I think he really is very concerned and very on top of everything just because it is so new for him. But he calls me at home after a fill to see how I'm doing and before a new fill he calls a few days before to check to see if I still feel like I need it. Trisha

I had to gain 10 lbs and I really needed to do it because then as part of insurance I had to lose 10 percent and I don't know if I could have done the math as to how many quarters to remove as I went along the 6-month path...:tongue2: Math is not my strong forte...so I just ate and ate and ate and then you know how usually if you have a temporary weight gain, it's easy to lose...NOT this time. I really then had to struggle to get it back off. Had I been independently wealthy, I would have taken my 13k down to Houston to my daughter's doctor and not worried about the 6-month plan, but I also felt like I needed the follow-up care because of comorbidities..So, yes, it's a slippery slope the insurance companies have you on. Trisha

The Master Cleanse isn't really for dieting...it's really to cleanse your body of all the toxins..there are some silly people out there that will do it for 30 days...aggghh...the only think I can say is that even just after three days, the knees didn't hurt. But since losing 52 lbs through my Realize band journey the knees don't hurt anymore...so not venturing into any cleansings anymore...lol Trisha

Isopure is a 20-ounce bottle, 40 grams of Protein, no carbs, low on sodium and because it's not a soy based drink, but a clearer liquid, to me it was just a lighter drink and I have to watch sodium and it's very low. I recently got the lemon tea flavored ones, and like it a lot...just don't pay attention to the floating stuff...lol...it's the whey protein. Good luck Trisha

Congratulations and welcome soon to the loser's bench. I had to do two weeks before on a liquid diet..(did fall off the wagon a couple of times) and then a week of liquid after, and then gradually soft foods... Be sure and take a pillow with you for the ride home and I would highly suggest, if they don't provide one, an elastic binder (should be able to find one at a local medical supply company) to wrap around your middle section. It helps so much with sleeping especially if you have a larger belly or a jiggly belly. It helped with sleeping on my side because it just kind of kept everything in place. My hospital provided it but I really think that was just because that's what they normally give to bypassers and they hadn't had many bandees stay overnight. Good luck! Trisha

How about the Master Cleanse! Awful tasting lemonade made with horrible tasting grade whatever syrup and cayenne pepper and smooth move tea at night....I made it four days...my daughter used to do it every year for 10 days. Beyonce did it for 10 days from Dream Girls and then promptly went to dunkin donuts or something like that...it was the worst. I think I've done everything that was listed in the other posting except the religious one...:smile2: Trisha

Hey, Poconomom, we are almost neighbors. I'm in tobyhanna, just up the highway from you. I was banded June 1 at Geisinger Danville and after 3 fills I'm at 7ccs, which for me will do it for a while. At 5ccs had almost no restriction and could eat at any pace and any amount. The 7ccs has finally slowed my roll down. So think positive and the next fill may do the job for you. Trisha

Banded 6/1. My last (third fill) was to 7ccs. I can definitely feel for you being overfilled. I'm borderline close. Although I think this is the first fill where I've had any "real" restriction. And I'm really at the spot that I was told I should be on the amount of food and length of time to eat. 3/4 to a cup of food and 30 - 45 mins to eat. So my getting stuck has been eating too fast, not small enough bites and not really paying attention to my body when it's giving me signs that I better slow my roll down. I've had an awful lot of food come back up, lots of sliming. I had stopped drinking the Protein drinks but because my calories are down so low and I wasn't really losing, I've added back the Isopure drinks and lost three lbs in just a few days, plus adding the Protein Drinks back helped with my energy level. But I think 7ccs is gonna be my spot for a while, but I do have a friend that she got overfilled her last time and did the same thing...had to be back at the surgeon's office the same day to remove some. Good luck to you. And, yes, once getting close, best to go in baby steps because I know from my daughter's experience a half cc can make a huge difference. Trisha

Isopure Clear liquids, any flavor...love the tea flavored ones and EAS Edge Trisha

I was "realized' on 6/1/09. Had my third fill two weeks ago and this one is happily kicking mah butt... I hadn't had any restriction at all since surgery. I'm at 7ccs. And I really am at the 3/4 to a cup of food, at least a half hour to eat and just a lot of foods that I can't eat at all right now. Calorie count has been down very low, which you would think the pounds would be flying off...but I wasn't getting near the protein I needed. So went back to my Isopure protein drinks and have dropped three lbs in the last two days. But the "stuck" feeling is not a walk in the park. But now that I have restriction, almost no snacking between meals, have a SF pop at bedtime. But before I added the protein drink back in, because calorie count was so slow, I was also feeling extremely sluggish. Feeling much better. So all is good and don't think I'll be needing any more fills anytime soon..:tongue2:: Trisha

confused, thanks. I'm not going to get real concerned until I go next time and see if I lose fill again and then I'll have some questions. I haven't gained any but only lost 3.5 the past month but that was just plain ol' dieting and some exercise. I'm at 5ccs right now (Realize band, which is larger than the lap-band). So we'll see what happens next month and then go from there. My surgeon didn't seem to be too concerned either right now. Nice to know that if it has to be revised that at least it's an easier procedure...would sure hate to do the 2 weeks of liquid again...ugh :) Trisha

question on the leaking. If you have a leak is it most likely in the port or is it the band? I was just banded June 1, 2009. Had first fill last month of 3ccs. Went for second fill and there was only 1.5 cc. So he brought me up to 5ccs. Is it too soon to think there might be an issue? I know my daughter's doctor said that even without a leak some people just lose some of their fill and there is a thicker fill solution they can do. I'm not getting freaked over it at all yet because I know if there's a problem it can be fixed. If you had to have the port replaced and part of the tubing, I'm assuming the same surgical pre-op comes into play again? Sorry to ask questions but I knew when I could eat just about anything, something was going on. Second fill yesterday is okay so far but I will know within a week if things start to change because after first fill I was kind of okay for about a week. Thanks Trisha

Ddorman, my daughter's dr didn't numb her either, but seriously if you could see the needle you'd know why...lol. I swear I'm going to take a picture this next time. My daughter says I'm exaggerating but I'm not. so I'll take the number shot first. And I too believe experience is the huge difference. My doctor has done under 15 himself. The hospital has done quite a few but not my doctor. My daughter's surgeon who did the surgery has done 4k. Her doctor she follows up with has done a thousand. But if we all end up at the same place at the end of the day, that's all that matters. Although I may have to bully my doctor to get at least 2ccs this next tiime. They are uber conservative. Good luck that it worked this time. trisha

Ddorman, I went with my daughter last month while she got a fill just so I would know what to expect. Unfortunately I wish I hadn't. Her doctor was wham, bam, thank you ma'am and she was done in no time. My doctor who has not done hardly any bands (lots of bypasses), takes a tad bit longer than that. Plus, he uses a horse needle (not really but it could pass for one). Another patient who I chat with goes to the same clinic but different surgeon. Last week, she goes in for a fill and he lets an intern attempt to do it...notice I say attempt. Finally her surgeon, who is chief of surgery, had to do it and he even had a problem. The guy that normally does my daughter's fill (not the doctor), she says you don't even know he's done anything, that he's that good. Thanks god, my doctor does a numbing agent first. I got 3ccs on July 4 which has been no restriction at all. So I'm hoping for at least 2 ccs when I go next week. So the doctor not being able to do it I don't think is totally unheard of. My doctor said he only uses fluoroscopy when he's having a problem finding the port. So now you know which person to make your appts with!! :biggrin: Trisha (pennreporter)