Hello from Wichita

[MidWestGal 0]

Hello Everyone:

I just received approval from my insurance and will have surgery sometime this month or so. Has anyone been banded by Weight Loss Surgical Centers? Any advice on what to expect both pre and post op? Any advice on choosing Realize or the Lap Band? I appreciate your help and am glad I have found this site as I have no idea on what to expect or what comes next. I will have my surgery date in the next couple of days or so. I am soooo excited!

[MacMadame 81]

Welcome to LapBandTalk!

If no one who used WLSC pipes up, try doing a search and also looking in the "Doctors & Hospitals" section.

[Jaffa 5]

I am being banded at WLSC on the 14th.

I know several people who have been banded there. Do you have any specific questions?

[Jaffa 5]

Lap band versus Realize??? Well it can be debated all sorts of ways, but for me it came down to just a few differences and personal choice.

The realize band has a thinner port, making it easier to place in theory, although I don't think they are hard to place anyway.

The realize is one continuous tube where the lap band has sections.

I went with the Lap Band becuase I liked the way the port was attached surgically, versus the weird little system the realize uses for attaching the port.

When you talk to them, have them discuss the differences in the two, but that is really the difference.....which is better??? I don't think one is really better then the other so much as they are just a little different.

I have no expertise in this, but the lapband just seemed to look a little more durable and maybe a little less likely to move or slip, because it is slightly wider, but that could be all perception.