Comparing Gastric Bands

Two gastric bands are available in the United States: the REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band and the LAP-BAND System. Both bands help patients lose weight through a restrictive method that involves limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. As a result, patients eat less, feel full faster, and stay full longer. Eating less enables the body to stop storing excess calories and start using its fat supply for energy.

When considering the differences between two weight loss procedures, it is important to look at three criteria: safety, effectiveness, and the level of ongoing support offered before and after surgery. Patients who tend to be most successful have help in losing weight and in maintaining that weight loss over time. Given these criteria, these two gastric bands are not the same.

Comparing Gastric Bands

The safety of a procedure can be indicated by leak rates, complication rates, or the need for secondary procedures to address complications. The effectiveness of a weight loss procedure can be measured both in short-term weight loss (1 year) and long-term weight loss (3 years or more). Long-term results are a better indicator of a procedure’s effectiveness. Other good potential benefits following bariatric surgery include improvements in co-morbid conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Finally, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommends that patients have adequate support before and after surgery, which includes psychological support, dietary and nutritional counseling, and patient support groups or programs.⁴ According to the National Institutes of Health, patients should look for support programs that teach patients how to make positive and healthy behavior changes, help patients follow a specific physical activity plan, and provide coping strategies.⁵

Key points of differentiation between the REALIZE Band and LAP-BAND System:

The REALIZE Band–with the original soft, low-pressure balloon design–has more than 20 years of worldwide usage and data available to demonstrate its effectiveness. The LAP-BAND AP System has no performance data over 3 years. Read about the long-term weight loss and health benefits of the REALIZE Band.
Only the REALIZE Band offers the REALIZE mySUCCESS^® Program. It is a Web-based clinical support tool developed in collaboration with bariatric surgeons, dietitians, and behavior modification specialists. It was designed to meet the unique needs of bariatric surgery patients before and after surgery, and to help patients lose weight and maintain weight loss over time. According to a recent 12-month study, REALIZE Band patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS^® lose significantly more weight in the first year after surgery.*
No adjustable gastric band has a lower leak rate than the REALIZE Band.⁶ If a band leaks, a second surgical procedure is required to replace the band.
As the widest band available (23mm), the REALIZE Band is designed to decrease the potential for band slippage.² If a band slips, another surgical procedure is necessary to adjust or replace it.

Table 1. Product and Support Comparison

Feature	The REALIZE^® Solution	LAP-BAND System
Bands	REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric BandREALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band-C 20 years of clinical data No adjustable gastric band is safer or more effective for weight loss² No adjustable gastric band has a lower leak rate than the REALIZE Band, reducing the likelihood for it to be replaced⁶	LAP-BAND AP-LLAP-BAND AP-SVanguardLAP-BAND 9.75LAP-BAND 10.0⁷ Allergan’s AP band was first implanted internationally in 2006 and in the U.S. in 2007 The AP Bands have limited performance data available
Balloon Pressure	Designed for restriction–not constriction High-volume, low-pressure balloon minimizes damage to surrounding tissue Designed with a soft, flexible balloon providing 360º coverage on the stomach for maximum patient comfort and minimal dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Low-pressure balloon does not strain or stretch, and more easily conforms to the stomach for increased comfort Widest band available which decreases the potential for slippage² and the subsequent need for replacement	LAP-BAND System balloon walls strain when filled to less than half of their maximum fill volume.¹² LAP-BAND360 degree OMNIFORM balloon technology, which becomes strained after adding fluid for adjustments, will not conform to the shape of the stomach as easily as a low pressure balloon¹³
	\|
Adjustment Port	The lowest profile of any injection port, minimizing its appearance under the skin² Significantly less pain reported around the REALIZE Port than those whose port was attached by sutures⁸ Reduced time under anesthesia–up to 19%--due to first-of-its kind sutureless tissue anchor system which enables port placement in less than one minute^8,2 Fast and easy adjustments Port offers up to 59% larger septum and 46% greater tubing protection than LAP-BAND System ports⁶	Sutured system–uses sutures to attach the injection port Sutures are not as strong as the REALIZE tissue anchor system²
Online Support	REALIZE mySUCCESS^® The only clinical online support program designed to meet the specific needs of weight loss surgery patients Designed in consultation with bariatric surgeons and specialists Shares your progress electronically with your bariatric practice so they can intervene if you need it	My LAP-BAND Journey Enables patients to track goals, measurements, and set reminders No clinical outcomes data available

** As tested using four 2-0 Prolene sutures.

For more information, please visit our sponsor’s Web site, www.REALIZE.com, or request a free REALIZE Band brochure.

Learning more about the differences between gastric bands
People interested in learning more about both gastric bands are encouraged to attend an information seminar. Seminars are usually conducted by an experienced bariatric surgeon or by members of a bariatric clinic who can thoroughly explain the procedure, discuss the risks and benefits, and answer questions. It is also common for weight loss surgery patients to be there to share their experiences. No commitment is required. Use this seminar finder or call 1-866-300-1818 to find a seminar.

Patients are often required to attend a surgeon’s seminar before the surgeon will hold a one-on-one consultation to discuss the patient’s surgical options.

© Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. 2009 DSL#09-1077

*Patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS^® lose significantly more weight. Based on 12 months of patient-reported data from REALIZE Band patients using REALIZE mySUCCESS^®. Frequent users were in the top third of patients based on frequency of entering a weight into REALIZE mySUCCESS^®. Source: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. data on file.

This information is provided by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Ethicon Endo-Surgery is not responsible for any other content on this Web site. The REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band is used in morbidly obese adult patients for significant long-term weight loss. It may not be right for individuals with certain digestive tract conditions. All surgery presents risks. Weight, age, and medical history determine your specific risks. Ask your doctor if bariatric surgery is right for you.

For more information, visit the official site for the REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band, www.REALIZE.com, or call 1-866-REALIZE.

Footnotes

LAP-BAND is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.

² SAGB PMA. P070009.

⁴ ASMBS, Rationale for the surgical treatment of obesity. Available at:http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/patients/resources/asbs_rationale.htm. Accessed Sept. 9, 2009.

⁶ SAGB PMA P070009 and LAP-BAND PMA P000008.

⁷ Allergan. Available at http://www.lapband.com/get_informed/obesity_weight_loss/lapband_vs_other/#chartAccessed June 12, 2009.

⁸ Miller K, Pump A. Mechanical versus suture ï¬xation of the port in adjustable gastric banding procedures: a prospective randomized blinded study. Surgical Endoscopy. 2008:22(11): 2478-2484. DSL 08-0561.1

¹² Ethicon Endo-Surgery Study Data on File.

¹³Compared to Allergan Access Port 1 & Access Port 2

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Comparing Gastric Bands