I am about to be banded (date set tentatively for May 6, 09) and I am sooo confused as to which band to pick. I have read several threads here and I am now more confused than ever. What research do you trust..how can I be sure my Dr isn't biased one way or the other etc.. I am about to pick something that will stay in my body..hopefully forever..and I want to make the best decision but I can't seem to decide. Has anyone else felt as paralyzed as I do about making this decision???

Well you have made the biggest choice just to have the surgery!! My doc started using the "realize about a month after I got mine. A friend of mine got the Realize. Its new. I have the lapband I've lost my weight on a steady basis , not complaining. I asked him on my last visit which band he liked better. He said the REalize was easier to fill, but once your tummy fat is gone the lapband is easy as well. He said he never has any issues filling mine anyway. He said He thinks the Lapband works excellent on every body and the REalize works really well on people that have "thicker" middle sections. I have lost 65 lbs with lapband- 14 months out, my friend has lost 50 lbs, she is 8 months out. So he still uses both bands as well, up to the patient, mostly. No help eh? At least you are getting some kind of BAND!! Good luck.

I had surgery last week, and my doctor told me she would decide what band to use after she got in there she had both lapband and realize band. she ended up with the realize band...... she said they work about the same BUT i love the free site i get with realize, it is interactive that my doctor can get on and check my progress too. it has charts to keep track of weight and measurements it has a place to keep a food diary, Gastric band friendly menu's and recipe's, and tons tons more. you can only use it after you get the code from the doctor after surgery.