Any Long Islanders?

[msjessy 0]

I think Dr Giess uses the J&J band now and you get to advance in the food stages quicker? Right?

I think so. The paperwork I received from the consulation included a booklet on the Realize (J&J) band. I don't recall seeing anything about moving thru the food stages quicker. I didn't know that had anything to do with the band, though. I thought the food stages were so that your new stomach can heal properly, and so that you can get used to the amount of food it takes for you to feel full.

[ajoneen 0]

The information J&J is giving out shortens the progression of the phases. I think it is because their Drs are not seeing any problems with this new band and it is less off putting to prospective banders. I think LapBand is still using the old information to be on the safe side and because they aren't putting any more $$ into research on LP band like J&J(BIG company) with Realize. Just the difference in the web sites is big. Lots more $$ going into J&J launch.

As you will see here at LBT there are a multitude of different "instructions" with the bands. It seems every practice uses a different pre-op diet(some folks don't even have to diet before surgery while some are on liquid for a month), post-op diet(liquid for 2 wks, soft two,then on to solid, while others move through a 1 week or 3 weeks at in a phase), fill policy and prices(starts at 4 weeks out with the next in the following week while others have to wait 6-8 weeks for the first fill then 6 to 8 wks in between), support group setup(some have support groups included free, others have to pay for each meeting or don't have them at all).

These are all questions you should ask of the Dr or office you choose.

Good luck.

[Ellen11703 0]

Thanks Amanda!

I appreciated the thumbs up!!

[Ellen11703 0]

Hi Candle!

Although Dr Geiss did give me info about the Realize Band along with the Lap Band system info, it is the Lap Band System that he used for me.

I would imagine that he uses whatever suits each patient best.

What I didn't get when I left the hospital was an implant card.

Did any of you get one??

I didn't remember to ask till the day after I got home.

I will ask when I go for my post op appt on the 21st.

[ajoneen 0]

thats right, I didn't get one either. I will have to ask about that.

[Candle 11]

I got the AP band in Aug and I had to do 2 weeks of liquids and then 3 weeks of mushies before solids. I saw another patient of Dr Geiss post recently that he had gotten the J&J or Realize band and he progressed much quicker.

I DID get the implant card but it's for the 4cc band, not my band.

[Ellen11703 0]

The day of discharge the hospitals (i think) dietician came in and she gave me another book of the diet.

It had basically all the same stuff in it I'd heard before and was given by Lisa Gentile.

The book had 2 set of rules, one for Lap Band System and the other for Realize.

She told me I had the LB Sys and those gudelines were highlighted in my book.

The realize sys did have a faster progression.

Of course I am on the 2 week liquid, followed by 3 week soft diet.

But ya know what I am fine.

And 16 lbs down sure feels great!

I made my self a list of lots of options so I don't really feel deprived.

But I'll tell ya, I have my Dr appt on Wednesday and the thought of a thumbs up for a bowl of applesauce or bowl of egg drop Soup or hot Cereal (grits!!! Yum!!!) is starting to seem gourmet!

I can't wait to Celebrate my wedding anniversary with a bowl of clam chowder ... pureed of course!!

In fact I think this week I will start making an in depth list of all those soft and mushy things to enjoy for the next 3 weeks!

[ajoneen 0]

Ellen

16 lbs thats great!!

When you make a list of mushie foods just try to stay away from the ones high in fat. That stuff will stall your loss REALLY fast.

Good luck

[Ellen11703 0]

Thanks Amanda!

I will definetly do that!

I have been keeping a food journal since the week before my surg and have logged my Water intake, Calories, Carbs, Fats and Proteins.

Might as well start off making all the right choices!

[VINNYDH 1]

Hi all, i am just finishing all my pre-op stuff, i will be using Dr. Geiss, i am getting scared, now waiting to have my christine appt. I have made a couple of the info groups at the ritz,,, found them inspriational, but still scared, i have no date for the operation yet. is it "normal " to be scared? (silly question)

Vinny

420lbs

[MSMAURANY 0]

holy crap it better be normal. im petrfied. whatu should be happy about is that dr geiss' office works fast. i ha my consultation 4/22. Im being banded 6/30

[ajoneen 0]

Welcome newbie!!

The best thing to do is inform yourself on the band and what you are in for. Usually we fear the unknown so look around LBT, ask questions, get your support system in place. Go shopping and get your Protein stuff for the preOp and postOP. Start logging your food and not drinking with meals to get a head start on the Bandster life. Maybe start taking walks or going back to the gym. Losing just a little weight and being more physically active will make your recovery much faster/eaiser.

My advise here at LBT is stay to away from the complications threads. It will just worry you unnecessarily. Also stay away from the posters that are whiners. When you get your band date visit that month(or start the thread) on the general support area, as everyone will be going through the same stuff you will be at the same time. I love the folks I have met on my month (Shrinking ShamRocks of March!!!)

Good luck.

[JoanieP 2]

Howdy from Texas...I was born and raised in Hicksville, Long Island, NY and saw that there was a lapbandtalk thread for ya'll and just had to join in. I had my lapband done in Houston,Tx.

Anyone on this thing from Hicksville? That would be so "small world" huh? Apparently this dr Geiss is pretty popular up there.

I wish everyone up there all the best. Later, Joanie )

[msjessy 0]

holy crap it better be normal. im petrfied. whatu should be happy about is that dr geiss' office works fast. i ha my consultation 4/22. Im being banded 6/30

WOW. How did you get your surgery date so quickly from the consultation? I had my consulation on May 2nd and I'm going thru almost all of the appts in one month. Even with that they told me there is already a 6 week wait from when I get my insurance approval. So that will put me into July/August.

Are you going thru insurance or self-pay?

Which reminds me...I'm going to have to give them a call to make sure they received my clearances thus far.....

[MSMAURANY 0]

WOW. How did you get your surgery date so quickly from the consultation? I had my consulation on May 2nd and I'm going thru almost all of the appts in one month. Even with that they told me there is already a 6 week wait from when I get my insurance approval. So that will put me into July/August.

Are you going thru insurance or self-pay?

Which reminds me...I'm going to have to give them a call to make sure they received my clearances thus far.....

nope i have oxford insurance, they dont require a monitered diet or anything. here is what i did. i called after every clearance and told them ok this is done ok this is done. I went on all my appointments within 2 weeks. i even found a great therapist out of it. then when i called last week they told me they have everything and its on so and sos desk being reviewed and she would call me with a date. the next day i called so and so...cant remember her name and said is everything good with my insurance? am i all set? she put me on hold and made me a date. 6/30 was the soonest and i took it. Just be sweet. Im a med office manager so i was a pain in the ass but not in an obnoxious way. make sure u stay on top of it and good good luck. also if ur waiting for appointments for clearances just call those places everyday and ask if they have any cancellations and maybe u can get it done sooner

hope this helps. i hope they dont hate me for telling people to call so much lol :tongue: