I called my doctors office last week to ask which band he used. I was told the Inamed Band and that it was the only one that was approved right now. That doesn't sound right because so many people are mentioning other bands. Maybe that was what the nurse was told to say if anyone asked. Does anyone know the truth about this? I guess I don't really care which one he uses because I trust and like him and his whole staff, and all the Journey Lite staff as well. Just wondering what you have heard.

As far as I am aware it is the only FDA approved band as of right now. There are other bands on the market, just not fda approved ones. ~Mandy

Thanks for the info Mandy.

Inamed is a division of Allergan. Until recently, the Inamed/Allergan band was the only FDA-approved band. However, the Realize band was approved on September 28 of this year.

FDA Approves REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band For Morbid Obesity

Inamed is a division of Allergan. Until recently, the Inamed/Allergan band was the only FDA-approved band. However, the Realize band was approved on September 28 of this year.

FDA Approves REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band For Morbid Obesity

Thanks for the up to date info. Do you know the difference between the two? ~Mandy

Thanks for the up to date info. Do you know the difference between the two? ~Mandy

I can't seem to find a direct comparison. However, it's my understanding that the Realize band is only new to the U.S. -- that it's the Swedish Adjustable Band that has been used in Europe for many years. Even the Johnson & Johnson website doesn't have info yet and they say it will be available in December. However, I'll bet some of the Mexican sites have info because I believe a lot of them have been using the Swedish bands. One reason they haven't used them as much on U.S. patients is that U.S. doctors are more used to the Inamed/Allergan bands when it comes to fills.

J&J bought the Swedish band and tweaked it a little. So there are changes and you really can't go by old stats for the band because it is a different band today.

The upside to it is that it is now made by J&J, a very good company that has a history of standing behind their products. The downside is that there are no stats for this particular band. No slip or erosion stats. There are theories and sales pitches but no hard proof yet.

WASaBB ... where have you been able to find info about J&J doing some tweaks to the band? I'm getting banded in Monterry on Monday and my surgeon is using the J&J band because there is a problem getting Inamed bands in Mexico right now. I haven't been able to find any info other than the Realize press releases ... not a photo of the band or anything!

WASaBB ... where have you been able to find info about J&J doing some tweaks to the band? I'm getting banded in Monterry on Monday and my surgeon is using the J&J band because there is a problem getting Inamed bands in Mexico right now. I haven't been able to find any info other than the Realize press releases ... not a photo of the band or anything!

J&J couldn't even discuss the band until it was FDA approved but those that invented it to begin with and were part of the changes (outside the US) could discuss it.

I was in touch with them months ago asking questions about the new and improved version.

I'm back from my banding with the J&J band. The doctor showed me the band in the box right before surgery. It doesn't mention the Realize tag on the box ... I guess those won't actually be produced until they are produced for the U.S. market in a couple of months.

He gave me the box with all of the details and surgical instructions and everything after the surgery. To me it looks very similar to the Inamed AP band: a smooth inner balloon surface. It also comes with a low-profile port.

The box is marked Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a Johnson & Johnson Company. SAGB QuickClose Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band including Velocity Injection Port and Applier. I was suprised to see the applier for the port ... I thought it was just put in by hand and stitched.

I'm back from my banding with the J&J band. The doctor showed me the band in the box right before surgery. It doesn't mention the Realize tag on the box ... I guess those won't actually be produced until they are produced for the U.S. market in a couple of months.

He gave me the box with all of the details and surgical instructions and everything after the surgery. To me it looks very similar to the Inamed AP band: a smooth inner balloon surface. It also comes with a low-profile port.

The box is marked Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a Johnson & Johnson Company. SAGB QuickClose Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band including Velocity Injection Port and Applier. I was suprised to see the applier for the port ... I thought it was just put in by hand and stitched.

The new AP band is not smooth on the inside. It looks like this:

Oops ... thanks for the correction Longhorn. I definitely don't want to be putting any incorrect info out there!

Oops ... thanks for the correction Longhorn. I definitely don't want to be putting any incorrect info out there!

Oh, no problem! I wish there was a site that compared the various bands, new and old versions, etc. My doctor went through it all with me and he had a couple of versions that he could show me but, except for posts on boards like this one, I haven't been able to find a site that directly compares them, with photos.

Even the J&J Realize site says, "Coming Soon," or words to that effect.

The new AP band is not smooth on the inside. It looks like this:

Isnt that the new AP band?I think Crikkit is talking about the J&J band that just came out.

Isnt that the new AP band?I think Crikkit is talking about the J&J band that just came out.

Yes, but she thought it was smooth like the AP band so I was showing her that the AP band is not smooth. That's the one I'm getting.

Gotcha!!

Thanks for the pic's