Hi All. I just came from my preop meeting with my suregon and he went over both the lap band and the Realize Band and wants me to decide which one I want?Does anyone have any information on which one is more comfortable and or works better? I have no clue.Any information would be greatly appreciated.jackieStarting 260Preop Meeting 253

I don"t have the answer but I am curious to have this info as well.

I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today and the surgeon didn't give me a choice, she put the realize band in. The surgery was done at NYU, and I feel that they know what is the best option for me, although, I had no opinion one way or the other. So far so good.

I have noticed that there is one poster on this forum who is strongly against the realize band - - from reading the threads, it seems as if he might work for lapband.

Good luck no matter which band you or your surgeon chooses.

I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today and the surgeon didn't give me a choice, she put the realize band in. The surgery was done at NYU, and I feel that they know what is the best option for me, although, I had no opinion one way or the other. So far so good.

I have noticed that there is one poster on this forum who is strongly against the realize band - - from reading the threads, it seems as if he might work for lapband.

Good luck no matter which band you or your surgeon chooses.

I had mine done at NYU too. Who was your surgeon? I did have a choice and selected the Realize band because it had the online support and coaching. I asked Dr. Fielding what the difference was he said their really wasn't one they were basically the same thing except that realize had a suport group website. However believe it or not i have yet to go on that site NYU never gave me the welcome packet. I couldn't log on with out the surgeon ID before the surgey. After leaving the hospital I didn't get the ID card either which has the key to open the rest of the site. I thought it was strange and started calling and asking around. I know my friend has the lap band and she had a ID in her walet. I have yet to recieve mine.

I didn't have a choice either and my surgeon used the Lap-Band. All my paperwork from my seminars and the post op paperwork was all from the Lap-Band company. I am just over 2 weeks post-op and haven't had any problems. I tend to believe it is a surgeons preference.

Well you could visit the Realize forum on this website at Realize Band Surgery (NEW!) - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

or you can check out this thread http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f278/lap-band-vs-realize-band-65276/

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f278/realize-vs-inamed-50722/

Good luck!

I LOVE MY "RELIZE BAND".Doc told me to deiced and let him know, i started out thinking i'd go the other way.On day of my new journey just before falling asleep doc and i talked once more, he said after much thought i was going with "Relize" great i said. I did look on the web and understood why he choice it for me.check out the relize website it's great.Was band on aug5th last year and down almost 60 pounds, best gift i've ever given myself. you will lov the new u.good luck keep us posted.

Here is one more link to check out:

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

I asked this of my surgeon before operation day. He said it was his choice, and the choice of his partner not to use the Realize band. He said that the main reason they chose not to use it, is because it's shape is more square (rectangular) and he felt like it would fill incorrectly and have possible greater long term erosion affects. He also said that there is no long term proof and/or testimonials regarding the new band, that was just his preference. Just my .02

Ditto my doctor stated the same! he also mentioned one held 14cc and the other (Lap-band) was 10cc He liked the lap-band over the Realize:tongue2:

Working Mom, I also saw that poster who is completely against the realize band and I also agree that he works for lapband because of all the information he has. I am getting the realize band on Thursday this week because that is the one that my surgeon uses. I have a lot of information from them and their website is great. It does seem like it is a personal choice for the doctors though which one they go with.

Julie

On my first visit to my doctor they showed me a model with the lapband attached to a stomach. Then on my last visit he showed me the realize band he was going to use on me and I said that's not the same band you showed me to begin with--so what is the difference and he said the 1st model is the "lapband" and the 2nd is the "realize band." So I asked the differences and why he was switching. He said the realize band was made by the sweds(i think) and now offered in the u.s. by Johnson & Johnson and the sweds are very well known for their advancements above the americans in the medical fields. He said the realize band had a wider width the the lapband. He also said the bladder in the realize band on the inside where your saline fill goes is one whole bladder. The lapband is like 6 or 8 little compartments. He said the realize band should give you a better fit when you are filled. He said he felt the realize band was a much better made band with many more benefits and that's why his team of doctors chose to use the realize band instead of the lapband. If you have a choice and choose the realize band it does come with online support and it is great!! But remember you have to get a number from the doctors office to be able to make your profile and then you should get another number after your surgery to unlock the part you can only get into after surgery. I had a friend who had the lapband and had some complications and they had to take it out and her doctor called the lapband the model t of lapbands. She now has a realize band and her doctor calls it the cadillac of lapbands. We go to two different doctors who are not even in the same practice. I find comfort to know these 2 doc's recommend the realize band.

I was banded with the new version of the Realize Band (Band-C 11cc version) 1/26/09. I had to chose between the two bands and what made the difference for me was that the Realize Band has a low-profile port that wouldn't stick up as much when I lose weight (the Lap-Band has an optional low-profile port but my surgeon doesn't use it). Also the Realize Band uses a special staple tool to attach the port instead of suturing the port to the muscle beneath the skin. I believe this contributed to me having virtually no incision pain after surgery. My doctor says there is no difference between the two as far as losing weight is concerned.

Thank you all so much. I am 90% toward the realize band and will make my final decision after a little more research. I read in a few places the realize band takes much longer to feel restriction and I don't want that at all...Boy I wish this was an easy decision for me...

Here is one more link to check out:

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

Thank you for the helpful information

Thank you for the helpful information

Your welcome and good luck with your decision.:cursing: