Washington, D.C. Weight Loss Forum

What Is the Realize Band?

The Realize Adjustable Gastric Band is made by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Realize Band is based on technology originally developed under the name Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band, often referred to as SAGB. Realize Band technology has been advanced over the SAGB, both in terms of the locking mechanism for the Realize Band itself as well as the port. The original SAGB required the surgeon to suture the device closed rather than utilizing a locking mechanism. The original SAGB also utilized a titanium port, whereas the new Velocity port has a unique technology that does not require sutures to fixate it to the abdominal wall. This port has built-in hooks that are deployed by a firing gun that allow for very precise anchoring into the fascial strength layer of the abdomen.

Aside from the port technology, the most unique characteristic of the Realize Band is it's low pressure cuff. Of all gastric bands currently available in the U.S., the Realize Band cuff has the lowest pressure profile. Even when the Realize Band is at capacity (9cc), it is still at zero pressure. Low pressure versus high pressure can most easily be understood when comparing a milk jug to a balloon. When the balloon is full, the fluid within is under pressure and the balloon naturally wants to empty itself of the fluid within. When a milk jug is full, it is not under any pressure other than the weight of the fluid within and that fluid will stay inside the jug even if the cap is removed.

The significance of low pressure versus high pressure is yet to be determined scientifically, but developers of the Realize Band feel that patients may have fewer problems with food intolerances, such as those often experienced with dry meats like chicken breast.

Although there are differences between the Lap Band System? and the Realize Adjustable Gastric Band?, most surgeons believe that a patient's success depends much more on how they work with the band they get than exactly which make or model they get.

Next: Realize Band - What Every Patient Should Know About Insurance Approval >>

This information has been provided by Dr. Trace Curry and his team at the Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. To learn more about the Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, please visit http://www.thebanddoctor.com/.