What have you all found to be the difference between the Lap and the Realize band? I'm hoping to be banded in April, by Dr. Spivak in Houston,Tx.

What have you all found to be the difference between the Lap and the Realize band? I'm hoping to be banded in April, by Dr. Spivak in Houston,Tx.

Good question. I have Lap & very happy. I picked it only because it has been around longer.

I have realize. Picked it because - my doc said he mostly uses it in women.

Also Realize has smaller port - less bumps on my tummy after I loos all the weight.

And more evenly distributed pressure on the stomach wall from inflatable inner part . I think it means a lesser risk of erosion into the stomach but it is totally my impression and not something I got from medical research.

According to this website: http://www.wlshelp.com/lap-band-vs-realize-band.html There aren't any long term studies yet to determine which is better or what the real differences are if there are any and it's basically all determined by the patient's anatomy.

Personally, I think I'll take my surgeon's suggestion on this one because I think I think he'll know more about this particular area that I will. I feel a little perplexed by the two choices!

My surgeon only uses lapband and she said because she feels like it's more sturdy, she said to her the realize looks a bit more flimsy but that's just her opinion. I told her it didn't really matter to me so I have a lapband.

What have you all found to be the difference between the Lap and the Realize band? I'm hoping to be banded in April, by Dr. Spivak in Houston,Tx.

I think Dr. Spivak just uses the lapbad. At least that is the only model I have seen floating around his office. I am being banded by him Monday morning!

Tracy

My surgeon told me that the only difference in his opinion is the cost; that Realize is more expensive. He uses the Lap most often but on rare occasions (patient preference??) he uses Realize. I have the Lap. I'm not sure if insurance is a factor or not. Beyond that I'm not sure of differences...

I'm getting banded on 4/18 and when I met with the surgeon I had the same questions. His response was they both do the same, AGAIN...it is how you use it and he told me that honestly 90% of the work is up to the user and not the band. I'm going with the REalize because of the low profile port. I know the Lap Band has a low profile port too but the physician assistant told me that they don't use the low profile port for Lap, just the regular one..so I opted and told them I want the Realize band. There are supposedly pros and cons with both. I liked the low profile port and the fact that they say the Realize is a low pressure vs. high pressure band. But, that can be a negative because supposedly it might take me a little longer to get good restriction? It's a crap shoot, so my winner was the low profile port. If they used a low profile for Lap, I wouldn't have cared which he put in me. Not that I've helped you at all

I think Dr. Spivak just uses the lapbad. At least that is the only model I have seen floating around his office. I am being banded by him Monday morning!

Tracy

Tracy,

We need to keep in touch. I have a consult with him on 04/05 for the first time. Maybe I can pick ur brain?

Melissa