Realize vs LapBand

This is false Michael - if you poke the tubing, you get a leak, just like with a Lap Band. 

HI,
Both bands do have their pros and cons. As stated in the prevous posts the lap band comes in two sizes ap large and ap standard. The Realize band comes in one. Now, I do both surgeries and have worked with both bands. I feel, personally, that the lap band is designed better and has an advantage over erosion and such. the lap band has indentation and "pillows" to fit around the stomach. The realize band is a smooth band with no such indentations. When this band is filled 3 lines form in the band and it forms a triangular shape. Now, in my opinion, no one on earth has a triangular shaped stomach. The lap band has a circular shape that fits to the stomach. And my belief is that no band should be one size fits all. A 300lb man will get the same band as a 200lb woman. These folds in the band can be bad in the future. I have done errosion surgery for both bands so I am not saying that one has a higher instance than the other, I am just stating the facts about the design. The only plus I can see in the realize band is the port anchor, but that does not mean that the port will not flip, it just lowers the instances of flippage. As far as the realize port being better in the sense that it cannot be poked and cause a leakage is false. The metal piece on the tubing of the band is very small and can be missed by the doctor. And there can be a poke to cause leakage as in the lap band. The support site is great for post-op, but it does not mean that it's a better band.  I would seriously suggest anyone thinking about the realize band to ask the doctor to fill the band (the band they have in the office) so you can see its triangular shape. Both bands provide weightloss...just personal preference.

I thought I read on the Realize website that it is already slightly filled when it is placed?... of course I can't find where I thought I read that.

 Not that I know of - I have the Realize Band and my doctor said it was totally empty.  Maybe some patients get some saline in it at the beginning but I know I didn't. Thanks.

The Realize band is supposed to be placed and left totally empty.

Dr. Curry,  Why then have a choice between the two bands?  Today I had my first consultation with my surgeon and she is going to the REALIZE band in September.  She mentioned the web site being a good source of support etc.  My question, is it a, I hate to use this term but, kick back situation for a doctor to start using a particular band?  Did the Lap Band patnent expire and now other comnpanies can start making the same item?  There has to be a reason.  It appears I don't have a choice.  I guess I am eased that there is really no difference between the two, but I would like to have the best there is to offer.  Interestingingly my doctor had a lap band that was broken.  I found it odd that she was showing it broken to us but I guess her point was that they do break. 

Mari

Good question Mari, and I'm interested in learning this too. Why the choice all of the sudden? Are there more manufactures in the works?

Mo-

Hi Mo,

Last night I was doing more research and I ran across this article written by Dr. Curry.  It may, on a high level, answer my question that evidently the market place opened up and now there is a new product, the REALIZE band.  Makes me curious what new and improved features will come around now.  ALMOST wants me to postpone my surgery....I said ALMOST LOL!!! 

Mari

The Realize band also has a warranty that the Lap Band does not. That's what sold me on it.
~ Tammy

My doc went through this discussion and he gave me the choice ****il we found out that because of my insurance I had to have the surgery at a center that isn't certified for the Realize band...)  According to Dr. Michaelson (who says he's done more than 1,100 Lapbands and about 150 Realize bands -- sort of like Dr. Curry) the literature shows no difference in success rates or bad occurences with either band.  In his three-surgeon practice he also says that they haven't seen any difference in his own patients.  So, I went with the one that the insurance company would pay for!