REALIZE Personalized Banding Solution

The Realize banding solution is more than just a gastric band that is designed to help you lose weight. This gastric band is a solution that will help you get on the road to a new life. Realize will help you attain a healthier life, give you more confidence, energy and the ability to live the life you've always dreamed of.

The REALIZE Band was designed and developed with your safety and comfort in mind. The band is a strong, flexible silicone structure made entirely of biocompatible materials. With the REALIZE Band, weight loss occurs at a natural and healthy rate— ranging from 1- 2 pounds per week.

With the REALIZE Band, weight loss occurs at a natural and healthy rate— ranging from 1- 2 pounds per week on average. The Realize personal banding solution makes you feel full sooner which results in less food that you consume at one time and makes it easier for you to adjust to healthy eating and lifestyle habits.

The adjustable Realize Band divides the stomach into two parts: a small upper pouch and a lower stomach. The upper pouch can only hold about 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of food. For this reason, you will feel full sooner and longer than usual.

To maximize the benefits of the REALIZE Band, you should eat several small nutritionally balanced meals each day. Remember it will still be important to eat foods that are low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sugar. Also:

• Remember to chew slowly and take smaller bites and
• Include protein in your meals which will help you feel full longer
• Avoid high-calorie drinks
• Drink more water

The more you know about the surgical procedure, the less anxiety you are likely to experience on the day of surgery. Gastric banding is a specific type of bariatric surgery that limits food intake by causing you to feel full after eating a small amount of food. During gastric banding surgery, an adjustable band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach. The band divides the stomach into two portions: one small and one large portion.

Since the stomach is divided into smaller parts, most patients feel full faster, thereby decreasing their need for large amounts of food to satisfy their hunger. No part of your stomach is stapled or removed during surgery. Likewise, the intestines are not rerouted and can continue to absorb nutrients from food.

The REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band is implanted using laparoscopic surgery through several small incisions while you’re under anesthesia. A laparoscopic procedure involves smaller incisions and less tissue trauma than open surgery which results in shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures.

To perform laparoscopic surgery, a small incision (less than 1/2 inch) is made near the belly button. Carbon dioxide (a gas that occurs naturally in the body) is introduced into the abdomen to create a work space for the surgeon. Then, a small laparoscopic camera is placed through this incision into the abdomen.

The camera sends a picture of the stomach and abdominal cavity to a video monitor. This gives the laparoscopic surgeons a good view and access to key structures in the abdominal cavity. A few additional small incisions are made in the abdomen. The surgeon watches the video monitor and works through these small incisions using long handled instruments to complete the procedure. The surgeon creates a small circular tunnel behind the stomach, inserts the gastric band through the tunnel, and locks the band around the stomach.

The balloon’s tightness affects how much food you are able to eat during a meal and the length of time it takes for food to leave your stomach pouch to travel through your digestive system. How does this help you achieve your weight loss goals and improve your quality of life? You’ll feel fuller sooner and stay fuller longer with the REALIZE Band.

The band’s tubing is connected to the REALIZE Port. The port is made from an implant-grade medical plastic and silicone. It is usually fastened (or sutured) on the left or right side, about 2 inches below the rib cage. The exact location will depend upon your body shape and your surgeon’s decision. The REALIZE Port is attached during the gastric band procedure.

The REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band Is Intended for Long-Term Use

The REALIZE Band is intended for long-term use. At this time, no evidence suggests that the REALIZE Band will need to be replaced, except in the event of a complication.

Because gastric banding surgery does not permanently change the anatomy of the stomach and intestines, the REALIZE Band can be removed if necessary. Please keep in mind that reversal surgery is not simple, and weight gain is usually observed in people who have their bands removed and do not continue a healthy eating regimen.

Qualifying for the Realize gastric Band Surgery

There are many different factors that affect your qualification for the Realize™ Personalized Banding Solution. There are health related requirements to consider, such as your BMI and the presence of any obesity related health conditions you might have. You must also be prepared to deal with the significant changes and weight loss that will happen after the surgery. You must be ready to commit to healthy, active lifestyle, you may experience unexpected emotions, and your relationships with others may change. Additionally, you have to know the facts about adjustable gastric band surgery so you have a full understanding of what to expect.

As with any medical procedure, there are also financial considerations to be made. Some insurance companies cover gastric band surgery, some do not. Before your surgery you will need to confirm your insurance coverage and create a financing plan that will work for you.