When I attended my orientation, the bariatric coordinator explained that we would have to choose between the two and we pick them. The Dr uses both and it's up to the patient. I have been running searches but to no avail.

When they passed both around the room, the differences that stood out to me were the way the band inflates. The Lap Band has sectioned pieces on the ring and the Realize has one continuous band (non perforated) if that makes any sense.

My question is - Did others have options between the two? Are there pros and cons to each? Are they the same in results?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

I am sure that they are both effective. The Realize band is marketed as a low pressure band. What I have noticed from reading this board is that typically people that have a Realize band need more fill before they feel restriction.

I did not get to pick. I am sure that my surgeon uses the 2 different ones, bu the determines which is right. I have the Allergen, lapband in me. Good luck. Karen

I got to choose and I went with the lap band. The way they explained it to me was the lap band was a little bit more "unforgiving" than the realize band. I need to have that structure lol so I decided to go with lap band

I was given a choice and the only thing I noticed (and like) is the port on the Realize is not sewn in and is thinner. I actually gave my surgeon permission to choose which one he thought was best for me. He gave me the Realize band and I am very happy with it.

I wasn't given a choice either, but the Realize band ads are all over the office, the one they had on the plastic stomach was segmented, not sure if that was a Realize band or Lap-Band system band.

I found these sites with information about the differences.

http://www.realize.c...-comparison.htm (Realize vs Allergan Lap-band system)

http://www.lapband.c...ompare_lapband/ (click on the Allergan Lap-band vs Realize system tab to see the line up)

http://www.obesityhe...tric-Bands.html

http://www.bariatric...-procedure.html

http://www.wlshelp.c...alize-band.html

It's funny to see how each "nudge" each other in their line up.

Edited November 2, 201114 yr by Matt Z

I got the Lapband, not the realize. They did give me the option but I just clicked the box to let my doctor choose. I dont know if there is any difference, but I can tell you that I am having great success with the one that I got. (See the ticker below). And btw I am not a super large person, so that weight loss is really great. I am now at 194. Good luck with your decision!