Hi all, my surgery is in less than 2 weeks and my doctor gave me the option to decide between the lap band and the realize band. I'm really stuck between the two. Any advice based on experience? Also, I feel like the lap band's port looked like it would stick out more, which I have read on some of the other boards...It seems like the realize band is flatter which does make me lean more towards realize...so for the realize banders- do you feel/see your port right away sticking out? How about after you've lost the majority of your weight? Thanks in advance...

My doctor, when I told him I wanted a low profile port (I have the lap AP band) very delicately told me this:

"It can be a challenge to find the port in many patients, until they've lost a substantial amount of weight. If you need a low profile port because the old one sticks out I can do that for you quickly and fairly easily, and will gladly do so" LOL So keep that in mind!

OH and no, he placed my port about 2 " below my left breast and I forget it is there. My bra doesn't hit it, it doesn't hurt, I can't ever feel it (although I do NOT lie around mashing myself!) it's a non-issue right now.

Otherwise here's a website that contrasts/compares them:

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

my dr had told that she prefers the lap badn because the port is easier to find when giving fills.

Hope that helps:redface:

My dr said the same thing. If I get a low profile, they are harder to locate to fill. I can feel my port easily though. It is on my left side a little higher than my naval. My port flipped and I had it repositioned. Then last time I went in for a fill, he told me that it is turned side ways. Not happy about that but he was still able to fill. Hope it stays put now.

jazie