Can you help explain lap vs realize

Hi
I want to have WLS with the band & I was hoping that someone could tellmethe dif between the realize & the lapband? I was going lapbban, but then I heard about this brand. Any info would be great thanks.

Up until the day of my surgery I thought I was getting a Lapband, but then I found out that I got the Realize band.  They both are the same thing, just different sizes.  The Realize website is interactive.  Check out the information on both.  

I hope this helps.

Johanna

The Realize band comes with password info. to use their interactive website to track your progress.
Also the port that lays under your skin for adjustments is a little shorter with Realize.  The Realize only comes in one size while Lapband can be used on more people.  I have the REalize band and have liked it so far. (Surgery was Jan 7 , 2009)

They are basically the same thing with some slight design differences.

Realize band has a lower profile port that has a titanium backer plate with little teeth that attach it to the abdominal wall.  The Lapband has little loops for suturing to the wall.

The Realize band has a continuous pillow that inflates with saline.  The Lapband has sectioned pillows around the circumference.

As stated above, Realize has an interactive website for post-operative support.

Thanks so much. So I guess the doctor makes the call on which one you get?

Most surgeons probably use one or the other exclusively.  I know my doc only uses the Realize band.  I think he used to implant the LAP-BAND, but prefers the Realize now.  Who knows what kind of incentives they might get from the manufacturers.

My doctor does both and he let me decide. I chose the realize band because there is less of a chance that food will get stuck due to its oval shape. Also, the port is flatter and not sutured to my muscle like the lap band port. Securing it w/ metal clamps ensures less chance of detaching and needing surgery repair it. This does happen w/ the lap band. I've seen it. Most recently I've discovered a new positive to the realize band which for a while I was angry about. I have noticed, (and my doctor, and many other people on this website,) that with the realize band you lose weight more slowly. At first I thought this was bad. I know a lot of people who had the lap band that lost twice as much weight as I have in their first few months. But even on the weeks that I don’t lose any weight I’ve noticed my body is changing. It’s adapting and shaping itself and I don’t have any loose skin or flabby stuff. This slower weight loss is due to the fact that it takes a little longer to reach restriction with the realize band, and this is different for every person. I have 6 cc’s in my 9 cc band I feel hardly anything where some people have complete restriction after 4cc’s or maybe even 3. It all depends on you and what you want to ultimately do and why you want the band. They are different. And the lap band has been used for years and years in the US while the realize band is pretty new here. Good luck!  

I tell people it's the difference between a Honda and Toyota.

Maybe this link can help

http://images.obesityhelp.com/magfiles/bandingoptions.pdf

I amso glad that you posted the difference between the two.  I finally have restriction with my Realize band with 8cc in it!!  I had no idea that the Realize band made you lose slower.  I feel much better having read your description.  I am ony down 8 lbs after 8 months but I am in a size smaller pants!!  Now it makes sense!!  thanks!!

There are major differences in the technology and design of both these products...if any doctor says they are the same...find another doctor because that is absoloutly not true...nor is there any less chance of food getting stuck by having either band...thats a completely ridiculous statement which is what makes these message boards a bad place to go to get information.