am i right in thinking the only difference betwen the allergen band and the realize is the way its sutured in there? is there any other difference?

My work here is done - GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!

The LapBand APL is the widest, highest fill volume available. Even the standard is larger than the Realize Band. It's 360 degrees with 7 mini reservoirs to ensure an even distribution of Fluid and a custom fit. No folds or creases so fluid is easily removed added to the band.

The LapBand AP System has been available since the summer with 87% of all accounts nationwide converting to the AP exclusively.

Is the APL model also available in the US now?

YES Both are available - your doctor should wait until he or she is in your stomach before deciding to use a standard or large

Oh wow, should I call you redstar or isuza... Unbelievable. I guess you didn't realize that it would change your name on all your past posts too.

Oh wow, should I call you redstar or isuza... Unbelievable. I guess you didn't realize that it would change your name on all your past posts too.

This is really terrible. I'm trying to make a life-changing decision and I have no idea if what I'm reading here is real or total crap! I've already emailed my surgeon's assistant with my worries about the Realize band. I hope she doesn't just tell me to find a new surgeon, now 6 months into this. :thumbup:

This is really terrible. I'm trying to make a life-changing decision and I have no idea if what I'm reading here is real or total crap! I've already emailed my surgeon's assistant with my worries about the Realize band. I hope she doesn't just tell me to find a new surgeon, now 6 months into this. :cursing:

I don't know who Redstar or Isuza is - but I read this thread yesterday and realized there was just to much "Evangelizing" going on to not be suspect of Her/His intentions.

I'm sorry you came somewhere to get support / informed, and got sidetracked by someone with an agenda. Wish you the best,

I'm in the same position as many of you and was very confused. I did months of research in order to find this information out. I have no agenda other than to help inform and share my knowledge with others in order to help them make an informed decision. I don't see what changing my username matters to anyone.

michelle in ca: this is your life and your body that this device is going into. You need to be comfortable in your decision. Do not take anyone's word, get everything in writing and ask to see proof. Any doctor can get clinical proof. Do research like I did and just don' t do something because your doc says its ok. My doc is regarded as a guru of this surgery but I still did my due diligence.

Okay...I can't seem to figure out how to quote these posts, so I copy/pasted them:

"My goal is educate people against J&J's unethical practices" um...what goal? Why would anyone on this forum have that as a goal?

and what about this? "My work here is done" Who does he/she work for? I sure hope not any of the companies that sell gastric bands...WOW. Do people do this for knees? hips? pacemakers?

This is ridiculous. We need to be able to trust our surgeons. Of course doing your own research is so important. Ask questions...take a list to your doctor so you don't forget. Check out the websites from both companies...they both have videos and pictures. Make an informed decision.

I personally still want to know what criteria a patient has to have that makes a surgeon decide which band to use. Anyone?

I'm just a med student, getting a band, trying to help- that's all

Isuza: Changing your name could appear deceptive. I think your intentions were probably to educate as you stated, but you came across very aggressive and hurtful. This really is supposed to be a supportive forum. There's no reason all of this information couldn't have been delivered in a different manner. Just curious...Do you have a LapBand? If so, how have you done with it? I will be banded in April with Allergan LapBand.

It's hard for people to make an informed decision by going to J&J's website when they are leaving out important facts. My goal was to make people aware of the truth. Do you think they are going to advertise their product is an old band with a new name or that in their comparison vs the lapband it was putting experienced surgeons up against inexperienced surgeons? Wouldn't you want to know that so you can make a decision you feel good about?

It's hard for people to make an informed decision by going to J&J's website when they are leaving out important facts. My goal was to make people aware of the truth. Do you think they are going to advertise their product is an old band with a new name or that in their comparison vs the lapband it was putting experienced surgeons up against inexperienced surgeons? Wouldn't you want to know that so you can make a decision you feel good about?

Whole heartedly agree, however your posts come across Aggressive, Angry & Insulting...you can educate w/out doing either, and be much more effective. If your intentions are true - your added value of knowledge is appreciated, but not at the cost of slamming individuals who may have made an informed/educated decision for "Them" w/their Doc. Just because it's not your choice *or your Opinion* of inferior product does it make it so.

Sorry if I offended questioning your identity.

Isuza:

Why are you so passionate about this?

I have seen the website Realize has...pretty basic, just as Allergans' is. The journaling they offer to patients is a great feature, but not a selling point for me. Hopefully it wouldn't be for anyone!! I am sure Allergan will have something comparable soon, especially if they are losing business over it!

Keep in mind...people choose how much they want to know. They can become proactive about their healthcare and do the homework. Most of the people on this site have done just that. They have decided to take an active role in getting healthy. The road to getting a Gastric Band is not easy. There are seminars, months of dietician visits, exercise physiologists, tests, etc...the list goes on. I don't think anyone here is just letting doctors 'stick' something in them without regard for their overall health.

I am passionate about this because I was a victim of malpractice from a company who did not disclose everything they should have about their product and don't want anyone else to have to go through what I did.

I agree, I got too fired up and I'm sorry if I came off too aggressive.

I'm getting banded in the spring