Move over gastric lapband. There’s another weight loss surgery that’s making headlines these days.

Dr. Moses Shieh, Lee County’s only full-time bariatric surgeon says, “We’re the first one in Southwest Florida that has that option.” It’s called the Realize Band. Much like the lapband, it’s a band that is wrapped around the top of your stomach. The band controls how much food enters the stomach to avoid weight gain.

Those who have the surgery then receive personalized after-care online. “Also, they’ve provided an internet online support group, online journaling, online nutritional fitness, goal planning and its linked to our office directly,” adds Dr. Shieh. He and his team already provide support groups for their procedures, but this online support can help patients get the help they need in an instant. “So if we see alerts, it actually tips it off for us, and shows us things and things we can help them on before the situation gets worse, in their sense of weight regain or if they really get stuck in a rut,” explains Dr. Shieh.

His already extensive support group is what drew the Realize Band makers to his office. “We’re fortunate enough because of our program being so complete and comprehensive, we’re actually the first they granted permission to do with their Realize Band.” The online program allows patients to converse with nutritionists, therapists, and other weight management professionals at any time from the comfort of their own home.