Hello, my name is Jennifer and I am new to this site. I am having banding surgery on 3/13/09 and still need help figuring out which band to choose....Realize or Lap Band.

I have done MUCH research and still am confused and don't know which to go with. Everything I am reading is 50/50 for both. They both have their pros and cons. I need input firsthand from people who have have success or failure with either band. Please post if you have already had the surgery and have any advice for me. I find it easier to make my decision if I can personally hear from people who have already been thru it rather than comparing statistics. Thanks so much!

Ok. With the caveat that they are both good options...

I have the lap band and I am glad I do. It comes in sizes and so my doc was able to fit me during surgery with the one that was the least traumatic to my stomach. I have the AP Large. I like the fact that I have 14 ccs to "play" with. I like the construction. The port is larger than the one with the realize band (I think) but as my surgeon said, in obese people, finding the port is a challenge (at the start, before we lose) and he said when I lost he'd cheerfully put in a low profile port for me...no big deal.

I also don't like the thought of the port being clamped to my abdominal wall, and that's how the realize band's port is placed (I think).

Lastly my surgeon uses the lap band because it's been in the USA the longest and it's the one he's familiar with.

Having said all that, people who have the realize band also lose weight and thrive. I think it's like MP3 players...many different brands with small differences but they all play music!

Edited March 7, 200917 yr by RestlessMonkey