REALIZE BAND NOT MEANT TO RESTRICT

Just got my 3rd fill in less than 2 months. Thought I had restriction and then BAM, it left. So, three $70.00 co pays later, I'm there for 1 cc today and the PA tells me right before she administers it that she was arguing with the a Realize Band representative at a televised conference that it didn't make any sense that they are saying that they never intended for their product to restrict like the lap band. Realize band claims to just keep you fuller longer and not restrict the food up into the pouch for a longer period of time. They said that they don't want any food to stay in the "pouch" or stoma for any period of time to avoid reflux and stretching. She as well as myself want to know how in the heck can a person feel fuller longer with NO RESTRICTION!!!! I hate realize band for misleading even though I did all the research I could possibly do! Wish I had went with lap band products. SO WHEN SOMEONE ASKS IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, THE ANSWER IS HECK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course to add insult to injury, she added she was glad that she herself had gotten gastric bypass. SMDH!!!!!!!!!

My Realize band restricts me let me tell ya.  I have the 11cc band and have around 8cc's in it..
I didn't have any restriction until I got to 5 cc's. 

If your surgeon is slow with fills, then it will take you awhile to get restriction.  Just keep at it.  I'm sure others will chime in here.  I made goal (it took over 2 years, but i made it).   It can be frustrating, but it will happen. 

I am guessing Realize is saying that to prevent law suits or something down the line.  I wouldn't have been able to lose if I didn't have restriction ;o)

Okay, I feel better about that. I mean I did have a longgg way to go coming from 288 the day of my surgery. It's just frustrating that I got down as low as 175 and gained weight back before reaching my goal weight of 150. I've decided to change my goal weight back to 175 though because that is more realistic for me. However, looks like I may have to free wing it since my tool is at 9cc with a 11 cc capacity and nothing is happening! Oh well.....still glad I had the surgery though because it holds me accountable mentally if not physically at this time.

forgive me if you've answered this before, but have you been checked for a leak?

2 fills ago, she withdrew all the fluid in the syringe to make sure it wasn't leaking and sure enough, it was all there. I really believe that my pouch has gotten stretched from all the vomitting I did earlier this year. That is a possibility right?

i would suggest a barium swallow - that will for sure determine if a leak exists.    was an EGD done to see if there is a slip?   with the vomiting, i would think your more likely to develope a slip vs a stretched pouch.

sorry for what your going thru.

Thanks for the support. I'm just through with paying for a bunch of stuff and not getting resuls so I'm going to just do the weigh****chers and work out from here on out and hope for the best. Of course, it'll be difficult for the holidays but I've come to far to keep back tracking.

I have great restriction with my realize band,.3 yrs out...everyone is different....you need to talk to the surgeon again and ask if you can have more fluid put in at one time. once you get it you will know and it is wow....1/2 cup of food or less and Done!
good luck to you and liten to the doc not the PA....Have   a discussion with the doc ....

My Realize band gives me GREAT restriction.

I had fills every 3 weeks for the first few months --- 4cc at first, then 2cc, then 1 or 1/2cc as needed.

I just got a small fill yesterday (about .25cc) and I feel it today ----- I love my Realize Band

Well that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, they are both supposed to be restrictive. I bet they are trying to cover their rears because both bands cause horrid reflux and gerd if too tight and sometimes even when they aren't too tight. Trust me Allergan is certainly no better about being honest! They are all in it for the money and nothing else! They could care less if they work, they just want to make their $$$$ and the heck with us once they get theirs!