LapBand VS. Realize

[Ravyn 0]

I went to my pre-op appointment today and my Dr. asked if I had decided on which product to use for my surgery. Well, I really couldn't decide. He said he is well versed in both and that it was up to me. So I beseech my fellow bandsters, "what do you think about either or?

I have 3 weeks to decide. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference other than how long they've been on the market. However if you know something important that may make my decision easier please share.

Much appreciation,

Ravyn

[malinda1229 1]

I am awaiting surgery - April 9th I chose the Lap band

Took this off the Lab band site

LAB BAND

Patented 360° OMNIFORM® technology is the most advanced technology available today and provides soft pillow-like sections for evenly distributed pressure Seven pre-curved, pillow-like sections embrace the stomach with a natural shape for evenly distributed pressure, to provide band stability, reliable restriction, and the ability to personalize adjustments to control food portion sizes for optimal weight loss

REALIZE

C Band is one long tube-shaped balloon

The single-tube balloon has the ability to kink like a rubber hose when filled with higher levels of saline (see photo below). Often referred to as a "crease-fold", over time it may cause the band to leak saline, which may require an operation to replace the band

CUSTOMIZE

Two band sizes and two port sizes available — giving your surgeon four different combinations of options to customize your LAP-BAND® System to best fit your anatomy better and optimize your weight loss

Both Realize™ bands, including the latest Realize™-C Band, are available in one size only — with no options for customizing fit

PORT SIZES

The LAP-BAND® port is quickly and easily placed beneath your abdomen and secured with stitches. LAP-BAND® surgeons may also use surgical mesh material in which the port is sutured to the mesh and placed in the abdomen to secure the port.14 One report of 191 patients has shown that port fixation using surgical mesh may prevent rotation of the port after surgery, as well as providing better access for post-surgery adjustments.

Realize Available in one size, with no options for customizing fit

The other factor was the NP told me that if her mother was having this surgey she would tell her Lap band was the way to go

Hope this helps

Edited March 28, 2010 by malinda1229

[tdawg874 1]

I didn't realize there was an option...

[AnneGG 0]

My surgeon does lap-band because they have a longer track record with research and revisions. I'm sure they are both excellent.

I've heard on this site that the Realize port is flatter in the tummy.

[malinda1229 1]

Lap band has 2 port sizes 14.7 mm and 11.9 mm

Realize 11.6mm

not much of a diffrence between 11.9mm and 11.6mm.

I think it also has something to do with how close the dr puts it under your skin??? IDK??

[RavenClaw779 2]

I left the decision to my surgeon - she uses both products and has no particular bais to either. Her decision was based on my interior landscape(so to speak) - I have a Realize Band(but I hate their website so here I am)

[Ravyn 0]

My Doctor gave a demonstration on both products and didn't really have a preference for either. He felt that both were good, but then he said the LapBand seemed to help men lose more weight.

Thanks so much for all your posts. I think I'm leaning towards the LapBand based on its years on the market. I'm worried about the port being visible under the skin, as the Realized port does look flatter. But honestly, no one has complained that you can see the port --yet.

Ravyn

[BetsyB 9]

My surgeon asked me if I had a preference, and I said, "No. Should I?" He told me he prefers to use Realize except in his very-high BMI patients. I deferred to his judgment.

I don't think there is really any way for patients to make a particularly educated decision about this, to tell you the truth.

[adagray 1]

One important question you may want to ask your surgeon is whether or not the criteria used to determine if you are allowed a fill will be different depending on the type of band used. At my doctor's office there are charts in each room (one for realize and one for lapband) and the questions are different depending on which type of band you have. With the Lapband, even if you are losing 1-2 pounds per week, you can still get a fill if you find that you are hungry between meals or snacking. With the Realize band, if you are losing at a fast enough rate, they will not do a fill. I found this out only because when I went for my 3rd fill, the PA at first said that she didn't think I could get a fill (because I had good weightloss), but she went out to double-check because I have a lapband and she is more familiar w/the realize band. And, when she checked, she found out that I could indeed get a fill because I had a Lapband, but if I had a Realize band they would've said no.

Of course, I say check w/your surgeon because as we all know, all surgeons are different w/their rules. Also, I don't know if my surgeon is just following the particular product's guidelines. I'm assuming that's the case, though, because the charts on the wall w/these criteria are printed by the Lapband and Realize companies.

Anyway, I happend to pick Lapband for some other reasons, but had I known about the different rqmts to get a fill, that would've been a huge factor for me.

But the reasons I actually picked it are:

* better product design (IMO)

* although the lapband port is slightly bigger, it seems more durable (made out of silicone, not plastic) - I don't know why this would make any difference, but the Realize port just seemed flimsy in my hand

* The company that owns Lapband recently acquired another company that has developed the technology to create a port that is implanted w/the fill solution already and then the band can be filled by a remote control without the need for injection. Of course, this is not available today or we'd all be getting it. BUT, I like that Lapband is looking to the future and working to improve the product. And, maybe (this is a huge maybe), once they get this technology perfected and tested, perhaps they will make it compatible w/pre-existing lapbands so that I might be able to get the port switched out to one of the new remotely controlled one. I know this brings up a huge question as to who controls the remote... probably you would still want your doctor to control the remote. But, you can see how this technology should reduce the cost of fills and make them more accessible (less training needed to teach someone to use a remote than to do a fill the current way).

Anyway, those were my reasons for finally picking the lapband. Its a question I pondered a long time, though, and originally I thought I liked the Realize band better because it does feel softer in your hand. Bottom line, is both of them work great. I don't think you can go wrong.

Oh, I should add that I think the Realize band is easier for the surgeon to place. The port is self anchoring (so they don't have to stitch it down) and the system used to latch it around the stomach is easier for the surgeon to manipulate. If I had a less experienced surgeon, this may have swayed me to picking the Realize band. Pretty much they've made it foolproof for the surgeon. But, since my surgeon has tons and tons of experience (not just w/lapband, but all the WLS and operating on super obese people other surgeons won't touch), I had full confidence that she could install the Lapband properly even though it is not as easy.

Edited March 29, 2010 by adagray

[Ravyn 0]

Adagray - Wow! Thank you so much. You are a wealth of information combined with the other post, I should be able to discuss this further with my doctor and come to a pretty well-educated decision.

24 days to go before I'm banded for life.