Hi do any of you have this band? I think most doctors in the US are using Realize band and that the old band of choice was an Emnad (or something like this) band. Whats the differences? Im going to Mexico and I want to make sure that Im getting a good band and not a "discount" band.

Alot of doctors use the Allergan AP band now, I think its about 50/50 on Realize vs Allergan. The older model Allergan band was replaced with the AP and there is an AP-Large and AP-Small and I have the AP Large and am doing fine. I relied on my surgeon to choose the right band for me.

"I think most US doctors are using Realize..."

"I think its about 50/50..."

Let's get some REAL facts and statistics instead of throwing out random ideas of what you *think* may be the case. Please do research before posting.

One clarification: Lap-Band is the brand name of the gastric band produced by Allergen and Inamed (same company, one is a subsidiary of the other). Realize is the name of the gastric band produced by Johnson & Johnson and is new to consumers in the past year.

Banster... don't be so rude with your reply. If we expected "REAL" advice on this lap band information site, we would be discussing these thoughts with our doctors and/or the manufacturer of the bands. This is an internet chat site.. not the doctors office. Your offered information is correct and and has value for this site, but, you would do well in the future to deliver your ideas in a more positive way... unless of course you are a surgeon of lap band placement; in which case your bedside manner would leave much to be desired.

I concur and said so in a pm earlier. (And if Banster were a surgeon, wouldn't she know the stats?!?)

Hello headin to mexico... I do not know which band is used most in the US. My doctor gave me information on both to look over before our next visit and will answer any questions I have at that time. After looking over the information, I decided to leave it up to him. Good Luck with your decision!

"

One clarification: Lap-Band is the brand name of the gastric band produced by Allergen and Inamed (same company, one is a subsidiary of the other). Realize is the name of the gastric band produced by Johnson & Johnson and is new to consumers in the past year.

This is what I wanted to know. I am no longer confused. I had heard of Inamed several times when I researched the band several years ago. I now hear Realize a lot. It is comforting to know that Allergen is made by Inamed and not a generic brand of band. I have more research to do, but the quicky answers are perfect to get me going in the right direction so I can get more facts.

Hi do any of you have this band? I think most doctors in the US are using Realize band and that the old band of choice was an Emnad (or something like this) band. Whats the differences? Im going to Mexico and I want to make sure that Im getting a good band and not a "discount" band.

Hi,

I don't have anything yet, I am still trying to figure out which I want band vs sleeve. And I am looking a Mexcio due to cost. Why did you go south? Let's talk, I can not find anyone that gone or going to Mexico.

Thanks Gay

:wink2:

Hi do any of you have this band? I think most doctors in the US are using Realize band and that the old band of choice was an Emnad (or something like this) band. Whats the differences? Im going to Mexico and I want to make sure that Im getting a good band and not a "discount" band.

Hi

I am still trying find out which is better for me Lap band vs gastic sleeve. I am looking at Mexcio due to cost. Why did you pick the band and go south? Please write back, I have been posting these questions for the last 3 weeks and I am getting no feed back or help. Please pass these on if you know anyone or place that could help me.

Thank's Gay

850 322-5628 gdwh1@yahoo.com

Hi do any of you have this band? I think most doctors in the US are using Realize band and that the old band of choice was an Emnad (or something like this) band. Whats the differences? Im going to Mexico and I want to make sure that Im getting a good band and not a "discount" band.

Hi headin_to_mxico! :biggrin2: I have the new Allergan AP band and it is a 12. This band is new and as a matter of fact I am one of 500 people nationwide in a research study program for this band. My band was put on in Feb of this year and so far I can tell you that I have had no problems with it. My biggest problem I have is my inability to remember to chew chew chew!!:wink: I too went through a lot of research and from what I have read about this new band it should prove to be very USER friendly. From what I understand and I'm not a specialist, but the band is made a bit wider to help prevent erosion and slippage which seem to be some of the most frequent problems that occur with a band. I get checked every month and have not had any problems so far. :wink2: I definitely would recommend a band but I have no idea how the sleeve works or what is involved in having the sleeve put on. I can tell you that my digestive disease doctor told me under no circumstances would he approve the gastric by pass so we chose the lapband! Good luck on your research and your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted on your progress!

:confused:Who did your surgery and I know it's very rude but can I ask the cost? Thanks again!

Gay

:confused:Who did your surgery and I know it's very rude but can I ask the cost? Thanks again!

Gay

I chose band because I cant stand the thought of cutting my stomich and having parts removed. I am also low BMI so I think that such an envasive surgery is not warrented for me. My BMI is only 32 (But goes between 32-34 depending on how good Im being), so my insurance will not pay. Mexico has experianced surgeons and good prices. I am prob going to use Dr Kuri who has a great reputation and thousnds of band surgeries under his belt. :wink2: I have not gotten my sugery yet and still researching. I have been considering the band for several years, but not been in a financial situation to do it. I finally have more financial stability so I am re-researching (lol) and seeing these new band brands.

Check out the doctors and hospitals forum here. There is a lot of info there on people that have used Mexican doctors and how to check out the doctors south of the boarder.

BANSTERYNC

Yikes glad for the information, this will be my question for my surgeon when I see him in a few weeks. Didn't know there were different types of bands.

Too funny regarding your being perceived as rude, nope not rude your from New York... they tell it like it is. The one thing I like about New Yorkers LOL.

GO RED SOX

banded in frankfurt germany, they use allergan.

Small clarification: Allergan is the current parent company of Inamed. Allergan bought them up a year or two ago. As mentioned they have several varieties of band on the market right now.

As far as market share this is what I found from Allergan's first quarter 2008 earnings report:

"The worldwide bariatric surgery market for band and balloon segments only is roughly 320 million, growing at a rate of roughly 50 to 55%, and Allergan has approximately 80 to 85% market share.

And here is a link to the original source:

Allergan, Inc. Q1 2008 Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha

It did mention that the US market had shown a slight decrease in growth due in part to the introduction of the Realize band as well as a percieved impact of the current economic times possibly causing some self-pay patients to be a bit more reluctant to spend so much cash out of pocket in the US. However the overall market share was unchanged from 2007 (this wasn't stated in the report but I found the 2007 report and the market share numbers were identical.)

As far as which is better. I am no doc or medical professional so I'd rather not give an opinion. Both companies have been making bands for well over a decade (even if not in the US) and have proven track records. I will say that some of the literature being put out by Realize that implies it is "safer" than the Lapband is misleading as it is based on comparing FDA test results between the two. The problem with such a comparison in my opinion is that the docs doing the procedures back when the lapband was being approved were using older procedures at the time and less experienced than the doctors that were part of the more recent Realize FDA trials. Legally, both companies can only refer to the FDA stats on thier literature within the US but those results do not reflect in my opinion the most accurate and uptodate picture of today's procedures.