It's Done, Banded At LAST

[JohnC 31]

I am now the proud owner of a Realize Gastric Band.:cry_smile: Surgery started at 1205p. and ended at 1225p. I don't remember a thing. Feeling pretty good so far, not much pain to speak of. Not hungry at all but trying to get in my Water & Protein. I'm so glad that I went through with this so I can finally start my new healthy life.:rolleyes2: Will keep in touch.

Edited April 25, 2008 by JohnC

[crazycat 2]

Good for you John on starting your weight loss journey. Hope you do well!

[yvonneb3 0]

Hi all,

I was banded on Wed 4/23rd, everything went quickly and I was in my room recovering by 1pm. I had a bad time with the pain meds making me nauseous and after trying several different types, I said forget it and just have been on Tylenol. The stuff you have to drink so they can xray you and make sure there are no leaks was pretty horrific and almost made me puke. Came home yesterday and just took it easy. The pain from the surgery is not that bad like John says below. I get Migraines and for some reason had 3 in the last 2 days so I am dealing with that too. Feeling ok at this time and I am on stage 2 diet already as of today and had some thin Cream of Wheat, oh it tasted so good. Had about 10 baby spoon fulls and was full..... I don't want to get on the scale until I go to the Dr's on May 2nd for my post op. I am glad I did this and would do it again. Take care all.

Yvonne

[Charlene K 1]

Congrats! to both of you! Hopefully, I will get banded in May. I attend my last nutrition class on Monday. I will be watching for a progress report.

[isabelle290 0]

Yea! I have a Realize Band too. I've been doing great with mine! Good luck to you. Keep up with the forum. It will keep you motivated when things get difficult on the liquid/ mushie stage. We are all your support! Let us know if you have questions::thumbup:

[Charlene K 1]

What is the difference in the lap band and the realize band?

[MacMadame 81]

I wrote this really long post about it and of course I was too dumb to save it. I'll try to find it and post a link.

[Charlene K 1]

Thanks! I googled it and read obout it, but I still don't see the difference.

[MacMadame 81]

Well, one difference is that the Realize band is made from a softer plastic and is wider than the Lap band AP. This is supposed to help with erosion and slippage. In fact, the AP band was made wider for the same reason.

Another difference is with the port. The Realize port has these little claws that make it stick to the stomach muscles instead of being stitched in. (However, the surgeon can choose to stitch it instead.) This is supposed to help with port flipping. It is also a "low profile" port so when you lose your weight, it won't stick out as much. The Lap Band has a low profile port option but you have to ask for it.

The buckle is different too. I have no idea if it matters though. I just noticed that watching lap band surgery videos. :smile2: The Realize buckle is big and it scared me a bit.

The Lap Band AP has its reservoir divided up into sections ... it's like it's pre-creased. The Realize band does not. It does crease when it's filled with liquid, but ends up with less creases. The sections in the Lap Band AP are supposed to help with slippage.

The older lap bands had a reservoir that did not go 360 around while Realize does. That's why the AP band was changed. 360 around is better.

The Realize band is not put in pre-filled with saline. Sometimes the Lap Band is. From what I've seen here, it's completely variable how soon and how easily someone gets to restriction so I don't see that it matters much.

So there are some differences just off the top of my head.

[Charlene K 1]

Thanks for the information. I will ask my doctor about using the Realize band.

[yellowroseaz 0]

My surgeon uses both bands a lap band and a realize band. McMadame put it very well. I went to a class last week ABCs of Lap Band. At the class they showed us both bands and it is true the Realize band is bigger but the port is smaller. And I was told that the Realize band comes with a computer program that is very helpful. So I think I want the Realize band.

GoodLuck in your new bandster journey JohnC. Keep us posted on your progress.

Edited May 19, 2008 by yellowroseaz
add more text