Lap Band vs. Realize Band

Short n' Sassy · June 3, 2008

My doctor is now offering both bands. I don't know which way to go. Any advice folks?

Northwest_Nance · June 3, 2008

There are quite a few recent threads on here with people asking the same question. If you do a search for "Realize" they probably will all come up for you and you can access a good variety of responses.

But to make it easy..... my doctor gave me a choice too. He said there is virtually no difference between the two, so he had me check out the website for each one. Realize has a website designed to let you use it along your weight loss journey and it's a pretty good site, although I found I prefer to use the food diary on The Daily Plate. I went with the Realize band partly because, well, I had to choose one or the other. And even though the Realize band was just recently approved for use in the USA by the FDA, it's been used in Sweden for many years and has a good track record.

NEWME10 · June 3, 2008

I went Realize because it was just a tad bit shorter where the port site is. I am in Richmond are you coming down here for surgery? I think it's supposed to attached to the abdominal wall a little easier too. I think when you're that close to the big day a lot of what the Dr. says to you kinda of bounces off. He recommended the new one. I had my surgery on May 14th. Good Luck.

Susie

Short n' Sassy · June 3, 2008

Thank you for your fast responses. I will look further. I'm new to all of this and still finding my way.

Susie: My surgeon is Michael Trahan in Charlottesville, which is where I live. He just recently started offering Realize. I haven't spoken to him about it because he started doing them after my visit with him. It is nice to have some folks close to home that have been through the banding already.

mickeymammoth · June 5, 2008

I'm considering Realize as well; I think I have this silly thought that since it's new (just to the U.S., I know) that it might be better in some way. It does have a lower-profile port. They claim less slippage and erosion, but the numbers are super close so it's probably a wash. it just appeals to me.

Short n' Sassy · June 5, 2008

I'm still on the fence about it. I figure I will talk to the surgeon about it when I go for my next appointment.

moonshadow2468 · June 7, 2008

hi, I got the realize band on March 25th. I love it, down 50pds. Both bands are good... each band has it's zealots. Do your research and talk with your Dr. I haven't heard anyone who got either band say they were sorry and wish they had gotten the other.

monnie · August 10, 2008

sorry, I just seen your message. I'm getting the realize band in sept. in Christiansburg, Va. My surgeon is Dr. Chavis. Sept. is when they will beging the realize band so I will be one of the firsts. How are you doing?

katiebug · August 14, 2008

I wish we had the Realize band website for Lap Band. The features they have on there make me very curious.

cmdagf99 · August 14, 2008

My doctor is now offering both bands. I don't know which way to go. Any advice folks?

I just had surgery on August 12th, Dr. Trahan is my surgeon also.:tongue_smilie: I had the Realize Band placed.. I liked the website that came with the Reaize Band and Dr. Trahan did not have one band choice over another, so when it came time to schedule my surgery they asked if I minded the Realize Band and I said that would be fine...Like I said I like the website that you use with Realize. Dr. Trahan and his team are wonderful..You are in good hands...good luck with your surgery...

Christi:thumbup:

Melisa R. · August 15, 2008

I was banded on July 8th with the realize band. I had done some research on the two bands and found their successes and failures similar. So I chose the realize. Then I found this thread about a week ago and have been very concerned about some of the negative feedback that 1 or 2 people have posted. I was questioning whether I chose the right one.

Today, I had my first fill!!! When I was in the office I spoke with my doc about a few specific statements in this thread. First, the the Realize is a first generation and the Lapband is third generation. He stated that the realize band is a low pressure band and has been since it was first introduced. The first generation lapband was a higher pressure band had many issues with erosion. Since then Allergen(Lapband maker) has made changes to the band to make it low pressure. He state the newest AP band is almost as low pressure as the Realize. He believes that Realize hit the nail on the head so to speak when making their product the first time. Allergen did not and now (3 generations later) they have a similar band as Realize. He said that the Realize band may change in terms of tubing or port but the band itself with most likely not require a change because it is correctly made to avoid as many complications as possible

Also the discussion about the shape of the band. He said the Lapband is circular and more rigid. Anything slightly too big will get stuck. The Realize band is more oval shape and the pockets have more give and take and will adjust easier to the size the food passing through the stoma. This is an advantage.

To say the least, when I left the office I felt very secure that I had made the best decision. Keep in mind that my doctor will place either band and the patient is the one to decide. He is not a Realize doctor only!

I hope that any of you who have read this thread and had concerns about your band of choice will be relieved to know that you made a great decision.

rockbandster · August 15, 2008

My doctor who has used both says the new lapbands have about 50-60% weight loss in 1 year vs 45% weight loss with the realize band in 3 years.

Keep your fancy website, I'd rather lose more weight.

Melisa R. · August 15, 2008

Both the realize and allergen bands are tools to help you make a lifestyle change. If you are truly ready then your weightloss will be awesome no matter what band you choose. The band alone will not cause weightloss. What you put in your mouth makes all the difference. Plus exercise!

cmdagf99 · August 15, 2008

My doctor who has used both says the new lapbands have about 50-60% weight loss in 1 year vs 45% weight loss with the realize band in 3 years.
Keep your fancy website, I'd rather lose more weight.

My physician also uses both bands, and I have read that the studies are the same for weight loss at 3 years out which is what the band is for long term weight loss....

Your weight loss has nothing to do with which band you have chosen. It has to do with your lifestyle. The website is just another tool to help aid you in that choice. Im not downing Labband by any means, my cousin has the Allergan LabBand and I have the Realize, they are both there to do the same thing, aid you in weight loss. I dont think this should be a my band is better than yours issue, or as you said "Keep your fancy website, Id rather lose more weight":thumbdown:. Kind of thought we where all on the same boat here whether it be LabBand or Realize......