Hello everyone! Was just curious to hear you guys weigh in on this. I have the Johnson & Johnson Realize Band, was placed on Feb 20 of this year. So far, I've lost 43 pounds. I have no restriction whatsoever in what I can eat, and I have never gotten "stuck." I have 7.6 cc right now in my 11 cc band.

My in laws both have the Allergen Lap Band, placed 3 years ago. It seems that they lost their weight much quicker, but they are very restricted in what they can eat and are always getting stuck, even to this day.

Are all of you having similar experiences with either the Realize or the Allergen? I'm wondering if the differences between my weight loss journey and theirs are attributed to individual differences, or differences in the bands.

I have the Realize band, 10 cc. I have 5.3 cc in my band, and I do get stuck if I am not careful how I eat. I just got my second fill so I don't know how much restriction I am going to have this time, after I get off liquids today I'll find out though.

~~~Stephanie

The band size may effect how many fills you need before you have adequate Fluid in your band, but it has zero effect on actual weight loss.

Think of it like this: Would a loose bracelet on your arm make you lose weight? No? Ok, how about a tighter bracelet? Still no? It's no different with the band around your stomach.

It's just a silicone band there to control your hunger but the band itself doesn't make you lose weight. You lose weight as a result of eating less because you're not nearly as hungry.

It sounds like their bands may have more of a restriction due to the fills.

Hello there. I have the 10cc Allergan band. I personally do not believe it matters which type of band is placed in your body that allows you to get stuck or have restriction. We become stuck because we forget to chew our food to a mushy state. Everybody's stomach is different and that determines how many fills can be done around (in your band) it ergo the reason why some people have restriction on fills sooner or later than others. I'm no expert nor a medical doctor but based on experience and reading other people's stories, this is the conclusion that I have come up with.