I've heard there is difference between getting the REALIZEBand and the origianl lapband surgery, but I don't know what it is. Is there a difference really at all?

the reason why i ask is because I found out about he lapband surgery itself on REALIZEband.com and they advised me to go to a seminar. Now I don't midnd doing that. But the only guy near Raleigh, NC is 70 miles away that specifically does this "realize band" -- would i be wasting money to travel or is this REALIZE band any better??

The realizeband is the same thing. They have been around longer than the lapband and was formally known as the SwissBand. My Dr said that he has had the same success from both systems.

Ok as it has been stated before they ARE the exact same thing and deliver the same results!

I chose the realize band for different and personal reasons. I liked the lower profile port, and the fact that the realize band doesn't have a thick hard plastic around the outside. It just looked more attractive to me if you will. BUT that is the only reasons not becasue one "worked" better than the other. I even asked my doctor whichone he suggests and he told me that he put one in his daughter and one in his son and both got excellent results! Hope that hleps!

yep it is alot like kleenex... most people say kleenex even though it is a brand name. but a tissue is a tissue. the bands are very similar the way it was discribed to me the main difference is the lap band has different sizes of links to go around the band and the realise is more one size fits all for length

I agree with the others. The only real difference is that they are different brands. There are slight differences, such as the port profile and such, but those differences are pretty much just a personal choice.

Also...

Dr. Joseph Moran does both Lapband and Realize and he's right near Rex. I'm having him install an Allergan band on the 28th. http://alasurgery.com/

thank you all for your input that really helps me with my decision. I will talk to the surgeon about it as well!