Hi Damon,

Welcome to the board,

Can you Feel the band when you move, exercise?
I can't feel the band at all, I can find and feel the port if I'm looking for it, but when it comes to daily exercise I can't feel it.
How Long before you started losing weight, I am 290, would like to know what I can expect to lose 1st month, then monthly (following rigor of post surgery diet etc)?
Everyone is different when it comes to losing weight, there isn't a set amount anyone can tell you. They normally say if you are losing 2 lbs per week you are in the green zone. I lost weight faster than the average band patient due to my size. I weighed 454 lbs going in to surgery, and lost around 35 lbs the first month.
What foods can you definately...NEVER Eat Again?
I try to avoid bread, pasta, any type of food similar to that as much as possible. Some bandsters can eat these with no problems, others can't. I probably could if I really wanted to but those aren't really foods we should be eating anyways.
Anyone ever get stopped at Airport/Cruise when getting scanned/wanded (do you carry card from Dr about having band)?
The band isn't anything that will set the detectors off, I have went through metal detecotors and had MRI/CT Scans done many times since being banded without a problem. I do keep a realize band card in my wallet, I have never has to use it, but I guess it's good to have just in case of an emergency.

There isn't a really a difference between the 2 bands, they just have different manufacturers. I actually thought I had the lapband until I went to my first post-op appt, then I was told I had the realize band. Good Luck with your appointment and your WLS journey, with whichever surgery you choose!