Ok I have 2 days decide which band I wanna get and still can not make up my mind. I've done research on both bands the new lap band AP and Realize. Now the information that the Realize band website gives on the lap band is on the old lapband that didn't go around 360 degree it isn't on the new lapband AP. My doctor won't tell me which band to get he says they perform the same job. (pepsi to coke, or ford to a chevy). now from what I personally saw in the bands is that the realize band is softer and has a wider port, and the lapband AP is also soft not as soft as the realize but softer than the original one and has a smaller port that kind of sticks out a little. Can anyone give me a little advice that has the new lap band Ap and the realize band??? I didn't think this was going to be so hard!!!:rolleyes2::tongue:

Hi. I'm glad I didn't have to make a choice. My doctor just gave me the one that either he prefers, or that he thought would work best for me. I'm surprised that your doctor won't help you with this decision. If you can't find anything that makes one seem better than the other, maybe you can flip a coin or do eenie meanie miney mo. I'm not trying to make light of your decision - it is a very important one. I wish you good luck in making it and with your upcoming surgery. I'm sure whichever band you pick, it will work for you if you work with it. Take care!!!! Becky

I don't really think it's that big of a deal. It's not like choosing GBP over LB. With the acceptance of some slight differences, it's the same thing, right? Like a truck is a truck, weather it's Ford or Chevy doesn't matter much. Right down pros and cons and go with the one that has more pros. Like you would do when deciding between Ford and Chevy. The choice just to have surgery was a tough choice, this one is easy. :rolleyes2:

Good luck to you!!!

I agree that as tools go they will do the same thing based on how you use them. That being said, my surgeons group is switching over to Realize. The biggest difference being how they attach the port (with the Realize it's sutured on the muscle, less likely to flip). There is a realize band group on LBT with a lot discussion based on the differences- if I were you I would check it out.

Good Luck!

I am 23 days out. I had the realize band inserted. My doctor doesn't prefer one over the other. I chose the Realize band for the online computer support that comes with inserting the band. I've realy gotten alot of use from Realizemysuccess.com. Post op the port site was a little more sore than people who have Lap band, but I don't even notice it now. Good Luck!!:rolleyes2:

I don't think there's any significant difference. I believe the Realize port is attached by metal crimping into the muscle while the Lap Band port is stitched into place. Realize is a 10cc band while Lap Band is available in a 10cc or 14cc band. Most everybody gets a 10cc band; I've only run across three people with a 14cc band.

My surgeon only offers the lap-band. I think it would be nice to have a choice. His rationale is that the lap band has been around longer than Realize, so he trusts it more.

I also go the Pepsi / Coke analysis....in the end I told him I wanted him to chose the band he felt was going to give me personally the best result.

He told me that in HIS PRACTICE they are seeing patients reach their "Sweet spots" sooner with Realize and they seem to be having fewer port issues. He does not push one brand over the other. I don't think I have seen the new AP band so I can't say anything about it....but I was able to compare a Realize band to a Lap band and it is wider and softer....I think wider is good because it's going to have less chance of slipping.

I told my surgeon before we went into the OR I wanted my pouch to be as small as it could be and still give me enough food to live and be healthy. I wonder if some people that don't have good results were left with a larger pouch?

Good luck to you....I'm sure everything will go great!!