Realize Band FAQ

Realize Band

• What to Expect

  The REALIZE Band® Procedure usually requires only a 24 hour hospital stay.  The procedure itself takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half and results in very little post-operative pain.  In fact, most patients who undergo the REALIZE Band procedure do not need to take prescription pain medicine - Tylenol or Advil usually is enough.
  
  The process begins with an informational seminar and a pre-operative visit with your surgeon.  To see a list of our upcoming seminars, click here.  At the seminar, you will receive more information about the process and have a chance to ask the surgeon any questions that you may have.  The pre-operative visit is a one-on-one opportunity to meet with the doctor to review your medical history and again ask any questions that you may have.
  
  The major determinant of the time until surgery can be scheduled is your method of payment.  Most insurance companies require an extensive pre-operative evaluation before they will authorize REALIZE Band Surgery.  This evaluation frequently includes a medically supervised diet for 6-12 months, a cardiology evaluation and a psychological assessment.  The necessary steps vary from insurance to insurance and can only be determined by contacting your carrier directly.
  
  Any patient with a history of significant heart disease would clearly require a cardiology appointment before undergoing lap band surgery, but those without any history of heart disease or any symptoms of heart disease would not require this evaluation.
  
  After your surgery is scheduled, you will be given instructions on a pre-operative diet.  This diet is designed to shrink your liver to decrease the risks of this very safe surgery even further.  The length and extent of the diet depends on your pre-operative weight.
  
  All operations are performed at Harper University Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.  We recommend a follow up visit approximately one week after surgery.  Your first band adjustment appointment is typically anywhere from 4-8 weeks after the operation.  This provides an opportunity to review your diet and go over strategies of the successful REALIZE Band patient.  At each subsequent adjustment (usually a total of 4-8 post-operative adjustments are necessary), we will review your diet and your medical health and make any changes necessary to ensure your weight loss success.

• How does the REALIZE® Band differ from the LAP BAND®?

  Both the REALIZE® Band and LAP BAND® have been proven to be safe and effective methods of obesity treatment. While the two provide very comparable results, there are a few minor differences involving the structure of the gastric band and the injection port as well as a difference in the amount of saline each will contain. To fully understand which may be better for you, speak with your bariatric surgeon.