Lap Band vs Realize

Hi Everyone,

I'm sure this question has probably been asked but I can't seem to locate it.  Can someone please tell me what the difference between the Lap Band and the Realize Band?  Is one better than the other??

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

The ports are a little different your doc should be able to show you the difference in the ports. Both come in different sizes but the Lap Band has the biggest 14cc or something like that.

Lap Band has been around longer some people like the idea of that. The other argument is that new technology is sometimes better. However both the Lap Band and REALIZE have been revised within the past 2 years so really both are new. Again your doc office should be able to tell you more about the "new" lap band and the realize band.

My doc had me pick and I asked everyone in the office and everyone that I thought had a opinion. No one could really give me a reason to pick one over the other. It really came to personal choice and what I battled was...new or old...and the feel of the port...those for me where the only 2 things to make either different from the other. I do wish I could have felt/saw a person's port site before I had it done. Before I had my surgery I only knew one person who had the lap band and she isn't the type to let me see or feel the port. I asked on here and a couple of people showed me pictures of thier ports but they were all lap band. Still was interesting to see.

Here is a site that compares the two.

http://www.wlshelp.com/lap-band-vs-realize-band.html

Actually, REALIZE has been around longer.  It has been used in Europe since 1986 (I think that's right)  It had a different name, Swedish Adjustable Band.  When they marketed it in the US they changed the name to REALIZE.  But this band has been around for 23 years.  If you read up on it you will see what I'm talking about.

From all I have gathered, it's about the person and what they do with the band then the actual band or which brand.  I went back and forth too, but then I realized people were probably right.  If you were gonna be successful with the Realize band you probably would have been with the Lap Band as well and vice versa.  They are so similar, with some port differences, so I just went with that.  Both Dr's at my practice use both and say they are both excellent products and use both equally now.  Go with your first instinct, it's normally right.  However, you will do fine with either one!!!  :)

Boo