Realize band

[Ellisa 6]

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. I'm sure he'll let you come to his office and see one for yourself and you can actually do all those things yourself, like I did.

[lsuza 0]

I don't have to - my surgeon showed me - Im right and your wrong. period.

[Ellisa 6]

BTW, regarding scars. My DH has the Lap-Band which he's as happy with as I am my band. But his scar is a good 1/2 inch larger than mine.

[MamaJava 1]

I've seen it inflated as well...in fact, it's MORE rounded than all the other bands that I saw inflated next to my Realize band. The other bands are creased also! Are you freakin' blind? Also, the Realize goes ALL the way around the inside of the band. Some other bands do not. Did you miss that day in class?

[lsuza 0]

I did not ignore anything - I wasn't by my computer

I'd like to throw my 2 cents in here, I'm a proctor for both Lap Band and Realize Band and have a pretty good feel for both products: (Getting paid to proctor by both companies = more money for the doctor)

1. J&J does not pay surgeons $10,000 per month per surgeon to advertise their band. They have a cooperative marketing campaign where surgeons can co-promote their practice along with the Realize band and J&J will pay 45% of the cost up to a total of $10,000 per surgeon total, not per month. Allergan has had 2 programs just like this in the past. (Allergan has never had a program like that, Inamed did and once Allergan fully aquired Inamed it discontinued because it's unethical - you call it what you want, it's a payoff)

2. The FDA trial for the Lap Band showed less than 40% excess weight loss as compared to 42% or so for the J&J band. There is probably no statistical difference between the two. You can't compare a "best of" study like Dr. Ponce's to an FDA trial, which includes both experienced and inexperienced band surgeons. In fact if you isolate out the best center in the FDA Realize trial it was around 60% excess body weight loss to my recollection. (Best of? Ponces trial of 1,104 patients, 980 of which received Pars Flaccida technique - Average weight excess weight loss = 62% I never said every patient. Also, you cannot compare Allergans A trial with no experience surgeons and Peri-gatric technique to Ethicons perfect trial but they seem top e doing that on their website which will be pulled when Allergans DFU is changed.

3. The most recent data comparing the two bands was a meta-analysis comprising thousands of patients. It basically showed equivalent weight loss and complication rates between the two. (Meta analysis is NOT the Lap Band AP nor is it conclusive or a comparison trial)

I certainly would not offer both products if I did not think they were both safe and clinically effective. Do you drive a 1994 car, do you have a 1994 cell phone, do you have a 1994 computer? Are you really going sit here and argue and that third generation product is the same as afirst generation product? Let me ask you if BMW went and made a car only the technology that was available in 1994 but it was in 2007 body would you buy it?

And futher, Im still waiting for the answer to this question-Ask Ponce and Curry what his criteria is for one band vs the other? Is it eenie, meenie minnie moe? is it whichever rep is in the room - please someone explain to me when a first generation product is a better choice than a third generation product.

[MamaJava 1]

I don't have to - my surgeon showed me - Im right and your wrong. period.

Oh yes. That's a very mature attitude. You know most Med. students don't have time to pick fights and throw tantrums on website boards. They also usually don't use childish comments like that. The more you kick and scream, the more foolish you appear. Keep it going...you're winning! You are a star! You are throwing out flawless arguments and research! We are all changing our minds and having our Realize bands ripped out because of YOU! Woo hoo!!! Gold star for you, darling. I'm sure you'll be teacher's pet one day soon.

[coolcrystal 1]

I'm curious, did any of the folks who received the realize band actually see it inflated and filled before it was put in you? was it triangle shaped? Somebody posted a cartoon video of it being installed, but not inflated..

I have a great doctor in Dallas that is with true results and he refuses to use the realize band.. he doesn't say why or diss the band in any way, but I got rather upset two weeks ago when I begged for a realize band and he said he'd be putting the newer AP band in me... after reading what redstar wrote, maybe I should just trust my doctor...

Many are lashing at redstar, because obviously you don't want to believe any of what he is saying, especially if you have the realize band.. I wouldn't either.. But, it is your body and if the realize band works for you, that's awesome..

I'm just curious if it is a triangle or not.. they don't have it on their website.. have any of you seen it inflated? when i see my doctor they always have an AP band laying around for you to play with and inflate..

[lsuza 0]

If his scar was larger than that is surgical technique - Again dont take my word for it - go tot the doctors office, pull out the realize port and stick it in appplicator and put it next to Allergans port and see for yourself

[lsuza 0]

My goal is not to make anyone feel bad- However this website is about support and J&J's website and marketing to physicians is NOT giving you the whole story - Im sorry but doctors should be randomly picking lifelong implants to put in a patients without thoroughly explaining the differences. They are skimming over it like it's no big deal. Trust me, if Oprah Winfrey walked into their office and asked for a band, which one would they use Third Generation Latest Technology or First Generation outdated technology? Why should you be treated any different?

[MamaJava 1]

I've seen it inflated as well...in fact, it's MORE rounded than all the other bands that I saw inflated next to my Realize band. The other bands are creased also! Are you freakin' blind? Also, the Realize goes ALL the way around the inside of the band. Some other bands do not. Did you miss that day in class?

There's my post where I stated that I have seen it inflated, and that I saw it inflated next to other types of bands. I don't know. It seemed like a great little device to me and IMHO, it appeared to be better technology. That is strictly my opinion, though.

[Ellisa 6]

Both bands were available to the group to pass around and play with at will. No it didn't look like a triange. It was very smooth, stretched out and placed in a circle. I also liked that my band had the soft inner surface all the way around (Lap-Band has changed that design to be soft all the way now) and I preferred the flatter port. But my DH has the older Lap-Band and he's had no issues.

Thanks for confirming that my surgeon's technique gave me a smaller scar. I thought that might be the reason.

[MichelleInCA 22]

I just made plans with my surgeon last week to go with the Realize band, largely because of the on-line support site. She also said, I think she did anyway, that it would be a new Realize model. But now I'm going to go question that a lot more. I sure don't want an old design.

Is the Lap Band AP widely available in the US now? I definitely want a lower-pressure, higher volume band. The surgeon said they are easier to get right fill-wise. And, they work better when you have to take pills that can't be chopped up, which is the case for me.

[lsuza 0]

Ellisa: The Realize Band turns into a triangle when Fluid is placed in it, not empty

[Ellisa 6]

Whatever.

If it gives me trouble, I'll deal with it in an appropriate manner. And I'll be sure to let you know. I'm sure you'll want to be notified about Lap-Band issues too, so if DH has trouble I'll let you know about his too. But then, he did get the one that isn't cushioned all the way around. But at least Allergan saw fit to fix that for the folks after him. They are catching up aren't they? So I would not be afraid to use their product either.

[lsuza 0]

Michelle:

You are making a wise decision to investigate new technology.. The Realize band is 14 year old outdated technology in a new box. PERIOD. No one can argue that, it's a fact. I challenge any doctor in the world to prove the technology and design of the Realize Band is equal to the LapBand AP.

You should not make a decision of a surgical implant that you are going to have for the rest of your life based on a website, that's ridiculous. If it makes you feel better, Allergan is launching a new website called Lifestyle Management later this year that will have all the features of Ethicons site and more.

Your surgeon is correct in regards to fills, another reason why the Realize band is challenged. Do this: Get a straw, stick in a glass of Water and bend it twice so its in a triangle. Now try and suck Fluid out of the straw. That is a basic illustration of what the problem is with that product, getting an even distribution of Fluid when there are creases and folds. The LapBand APL is the widest, highest fill volume available. Even the standard is larger than the Realize Band. It's 360 degrees with 7 mini reservoirs to ensure an even distribution of fluid and a custom fit. No folds or creases so fluid is easily removed added to the band.

The LapBand AP System has been available since the summer with 87% of all accounts nationwide converting to the AP exclusively.