Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone can tell me the difference about the normal Lap Band surgery versus this new Realize band that I just recently started hearing about?

Thanks.

:welldoneclap:

You can read about the Realize band at www.realizeband.com

I have the Realize band. My doctor told me the difference was really in the extra support resources availble with the Realize band than anything. He said they are medically the same, but Realize offers lots of online stuff.

Ok, thanks for the info. I will check that out. I appreciate you guys sharing.:eek:

Getting back to eating regular food also happens faster with the realize band.

I think I have some pictures. Let me see if I can upload them. The AP or Inamed/Allergan band has puffy pillows (non medical term!) and the Realize looks smooth to me all around the inner circle where the fill water goes.

Here are the pictures I've collected for my own info.

AP New Band Type picture.bmp

Bands filled and unfilled.bmp

Sorry but I didn't have the graphic of the Realize band when I posted the first entry above and I can see the second picture was a little grainy but you can hopefully see the difference of the inner circumference of the two types with this second picture.

I was just banded on 2/4/08 with the Realize band. At this point, I'm still trying to feel good. Can't begin to tell you if there is any benefit yet, but I look forward to finding out!

How the Realize Band Works - REALIZEBand.com

Watch the animation!!!

Yvonne72,

Are you getting the Realize band? I am on May 9th! Can't wait.

I'm just getting the Lap Band on the 20th... I found that for that animation for this thread...

Best of Luck to you! You must be so excited!!!

Hello,

I am looking into the Band Surgery. I am 315, 5'7 and im 25, ive tried diets but they dont work. how does everyone feel about the band, is it worth it? any draw backs? any comments would help.

thanks

Like everyone said, there is more web based support for the Realize. I think the best part is you can get back to foods you can CHEW must faster. I am down almost 60 lbs. since 10-10-08 and I really am never hungery. Best of luck to all.

My surgeon and his staff could not offer any medical reason of whether to go Realize or for the Lapband. It was basically a toss-up and they were willing to place both. I looked everywhere to try and make a final decision but did not find anything that really pushed me strongly one way or the other.

I chose the Realize band and I have lost almost 100% of my excess weight in less than a year. However, I may have done just as well with Lapband and will never know any real difference.

However, I can say that until I got to my sweet spot, I didn't have any restriction. It was like being unbanded until restriction hit me like a ton of bricks. Once I finally did get restriction with the Realize band - I stayed at the same fill level almost six months before I got an unfill due to pregnancy.

I can't speak for the Lapband, but for my Realize band . . . it takes a while to get to where you can feel it, but once you are there you stay there and adjustments are just very narrow changes in fractions of a cc. It worked for me.

Heather, Congrats on the baby, you must be thrilled. My only problem with my procedure is reflux. I had it before. Prior to the surgery I might have a minor problem 3 times a year. Since the surgery my voice is always hoarse and the acid drip causes a soar throat frequently. As I said I lost 60 lbs. since 10-10-08 and still have not had a fill. The weight loss is great but I just want to feel like myself. I know in time I will.