I'm starting my 3 month pre-approval for AETNA next week and I'm getting excited....albeit nervous and anxious for what changes this brings for mine and my families life. I'm trying to compare the REALIZE band vs. the LAP-BAND and it's hard to get a clear comparison. Any thoughts among the groups on this website? I appreciate your thoughts and help!

I found this website months ago

Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band

It may help you. Most of us can't really "compare" them since we only have experience with one type! LOL

I have the Lap Band AP L. I like it so far! It's the one my surgeon prefers, but he said he prefers it only because it's the one (Lap Band, that is,) that he trained with and is familiar with. He said they both work, are safe, and "do the trick".

I just posted a blog post at Differences between the Realize Band and LAP-BAND which compares the differences between the Realize Band and LAP-BAND.

I looked at the statistics, since I am a numbers person. The AP Lapbands statistics show at 1 yr 47% of their excess weight loss and the Realize band the statistics 43% at 3 years... so based on those I like the one with the most weight loss. Remember these are averages.

I also liked the construction better on the AP Lapband. But thats just my opinion and 2 cents :biggrin:

Do a search on here, you will see people waxing lyrical about the realise vs the lap band. I don't think it makes much of a difference to be honest - they both do the same thing at the end of the day!