Hi everyone!

I am new to the site. I recently got approved for the lapband by my insurance company and am awaiting my surgery date. When visiting my doctor, he asked me which band I preferred, the Realize or the Lapband. I wanted to know if any of you know the difference?

I have more questions but I figured I would start with this one and see how the responses come before I ask anymore.

Thanks.

From what I understand it is just a brand name. I'm sure if you look around forum you will find someone who knows. I thought I would answer you since nobody had and I seen your post yesterday. Best of luck. I am not banded so I dont have all the answers....lol

Your doctor should be able to tell you what the differences are. Realize band has a more low profile port meaning it doesn't stick out as much. Then again that was a year ago. I don't know if Lap Band has changed their band since. I would ask your doctor to tell you what the differences are and what they'll mean to you.

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I have a Lapband with a low profile port. My doc selected it and only uses Lapband. She said that the Realize bands are "older technology" but I don't know what she meant by that specifically.

Hi there,

I had similar questions. The research that I did was both on here and youtube. Also, check out the lap band site and the realize site. The only difference I saw was that the lap bands inner piece is sections and the realize is one continuous "balloon". I asked my surgeon and he said that he uses both, but has been doing more with the realize. I know that the realize patients i saw got fills more frequently. i decided to go with the realize band. hope that helps.

That gurl!!

Hi everyone!

I am new to the site. I recently got approved for the lapband by my insurance company and am awaiting my surgery date. When visiting my doctor, he asked me which band I preferred, the Realize or the Lapband. I wanted to know if any of you know the difference?

I have more questions but I figured I would start with this one and see how the responses come before I ask anymore.

Thanks.

I hadn't heard of the Realize Band prior to my first appointment with my Doctor and was surprised to hear there was another option out there.

My Doctor suggested the Realize Band for me due to my body structure. He explained the Realize Band is another brand, built slightly differnt but works the same way. It does have a smaller port, which is why he suggested it for me. I get banded on the 16th, I can go with either the smaller Lap Band or the Realize Band. My Doctor is letting me make the decision on which one to go with...

Patti