How did you decide which band to choose???????

I have to choose between the two styles of bands offered .
Any advice out there. Surgery 4/27/11. Katie

I chose the Realize band because of the website. I found it a  very helpful tool when i first started ask your surgeon what is best for you. Look at the different bands website and make the best informed decision. Good Luck on your way to a healthier you.

Hi Katie,

My surgeon gave me a choice of both and booklets for both.  They seemed fairly the same to me so I asked him what he liked.  He said that if the patient had no real preference that he preferred the original  Lap Band and would use that on the day of surgery.  Since I had no real preference one way or another, I let him choose.  I ended up with a 10cc Lap Band and so far so good.

Donna

Donna,
Thanks so much for getting back to me. My surgeon insists, I have to choose. That's the dilemma. I know the booklets are informative, was looking for some personal experience input out there.
Thanks again Kate

 The REALIZE band has a shorter Port and also has it's own system of attaching to the stomach, so once implanted under the skin you do not notice it as much as the original LAP BAND, The realize technology is fairly new for the port where as I found the LAP BAND to be more widely used and consistent in with the port.. Although it does stick out alittle now that I've lost 110 pounds..  Either way I believe you will do as good with one as you would with the other. Good Luck on what ever you decide, see you on the lossers bench.. John

Yeah, same here. But, mine won't say anything. I was looking for some personal experience out there. Thanks a lot. Kate

Look at it like this....it's like choosing between Rebok and Nike.  Either one you choose you will still be able to run.  I guess what I am saying if you are successful with one you will be successful with either one.  Choosing one over the other isn't going to make or break your success.

Oh and I also let my surgeon chose too.

cmagouirk:  Thanks for getting back, and agree wholeheartedly.
My dilemma is, I would like some input from her but, she does't do  that .

Maybe I'll toss a coin. Hope to talk again. Katie Keane  

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/3587677/Lap-Band-vs-Realize-Band/

My doctor made me choose. But the analogy he used was comparing a Toyota and a Honda. The grillwork is different and there are some other features that are different, but they all have steering wheels and four tires, etc. A friend shared his research with me, and I ultimately chose the Realize band -- in part because of the way the port is attached and it seemed perhaps Realize had more support. I am not sorry I chose it, but am barely feeling restriction after almost six months. But I don't blame the Realize for that. I think my body is hard to adjust, and it doesn't help that I am sometimes eating too much (maybe because I don't feel any restriction?)