Help me choose between Realize and Lap bands! Surgery Tommorow - please help

NewHere37 · 06-26-2008, 11:39 AM

Hi everyone! I am new here, but hoping I can get some help from you all. Surgery tommorow - please help!

Ok, so the surgeon says that in his mind, the bands are absolutely equal in tems of results, the only difference (which he really likes) is the Realize Band has good patient support with their website. To me, the patient support is nice, but not really a decision-making element. As an engineer, I am more interested in the structural differences between the two and why one design might be superior.

In my mind here are the pros and cons:

Realize Pros - Low Profile port, different port anchoring system (less chance of flipping), wider band, low pressure band, softer band material. Could be considered an improvement on an already good product

Realize Cons - I was all set to go with the Realize until I came to LapBandTalk and there was one lone guy who brought up this issue - the band material is not pre-curved, so when it is buckled around the stomach it wrinkles and kinks onto itself (imagine bending a straw into a triangle) forming a triangle which could a) cause the band material to rub against itself and erode and b) prevent uniform pressure when the band is filled. also c) this odd triangular shape could create a non-circular stoma opening, which might be bad (? who knows).

So that is, to me the big question. the non-pre-curved bit. Could this band wear out sooner? Could it cause problems for my stomach erosion, etc? Does just the potential (nothing is proven that I could find) of these problems outweigh the obvious pros?

There was only one guy (who clearly had some sort of ax to grind) who brought this up. I have not found any mention of it anywhere else. Does it seem like a legit concern? I also am slightly concerned about the fact that this band has not been used in this country for very long. My surgeon says the results are the same two years out. But I am thinking that two years of data is all we have on the Realize. That's not that much.

Lap Band Pros - A tried and true product. I like the pre-curved shape of the band - it seems more compatable with stomach anatomy.

Lap Band Cons - The high pressure of the band - not really a con, just a difference that might be slilghtly inferior to the low pressure band. The high profile port (my surgeon won't use the low profile one)

Overall, the Realize has some VERY good points, but also one point that could be bad.

Since the Lap Band is the gold standard here, I could be not giving it enough credit in my frenzied psyco analysis. It is a perfectly fine band with good results, but I want whichever one is the best. I know at this point you are probably rolling your eyes and telling me to quit overthinking it and just pick one, but I am just like this. Any input you can give me is appreciated.

thanks, Deb

LoisinStA · 06-26-2008, 11:56 AM

When I was given the choice, I told my doctor to make the decision. I did not know enough about them to make an intelligent decision - he does this surgery every day - he's the expert. I had my surgery done in Mexico and he used the Inamed lap band.

Northwest_Nance · 06-26-2008, 11:57 AM

This issue has been debated a lot in this forum. I was banded on May 15th and I chose the Realize band, partly because it has been used very successfully for many years in Sweden before being approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. late last year.

My doctor also felt there is virtually no difference between the two bands. I did check out the Realize website and didn't really find much that interested me there except the daily food journal, but after a few days I gave it up in favor of TheDailyPlate. I found the Realize food journal page loaded very slowly and their database of foods was very small. But, a good or bad website is not a basis for selecting a band, in my opinion, so it really wasn't a factor for me.

I honestly think I could have gone either way, I just liked the fact that the Realize band has been used in Sweden for so long, and I have a respect for the reputation of the Swedish medical community.

Sue Magoo · 06-26-2008, 12:04 PM

You might want to consider whether the low-profile port makes the realize band more attractive. My port is not low-profile but it is placed just below my rib cage and it lays nice and flat (even with the significant loss nobody can tell it is there). However, if you've got a doctor that puts the port somewhere else it may "stick out" when you are down at goal.

As far as the engineering goes - way too technical for me.

Good luck.

Sue

Jodi_620 · 06-26-2008, 12:23 PM

I have the Lap Band but am now seeing commericals for the Realize band and like the sound of the support program that goes with it (at least they make it sound good) although my Lab Band surgeons staff is wonderful.

I have not heard anything about the realize band kinking. Do you remember where you saw the thread with the guy who didn't like the realize band?

It is a little last minute now, if you had time, maybe you could ask the doctor if you could look at a model. I know my surgeon has sample lap bands in his office for patients to play with.

I agree that the band quality is more important than the extra support, especially if you have a good surgeon (and staff). I 'm sorry I can't offer much about the realize band but I can say for sure that the Lap Band does not have those type of issues...

JRT Mom · 06-26-2008, 12:46 PM

Here's the band forming a triangle shape: (I'm not sure which band it is--the video doesn't say....)

YouTube - Inflating a gastric band (Swedish)

I wasn't given a choice because my surgeon only uses the Allergan band...

TracyinKS · 06-26-2008, 12:50 PM

I think both are good choices, both will most likely be "upgraded" in coming years anyway........ :) Realize and JNJ is giving Lap Band Allergan a run for its money... so I'm betting that both website support areas will be pretty equal and competitive with each other in the future too... (think Kleenex) Kleenex is the BrandName of facial tissue.. but what we all associate with allergies! LOL

I have a Lap Band........ and I LOVE IT! as I'm sure the REALIZE has its fans as well!

TracyinKS · 06-26-2008, 12:54 PM

LOL! that is a pretty cool video!!!!! and its the Swedish band (realize)

Jodi_620 · 06-26-2008, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the video JRT Mom...very cool to watch!

luvinke · 06-26-2008, 01:16 PM

I have the lap band in which I was able to find a lot of information on and as far as my support group, I have this website, my Doctor's office (they are great) and my immediate family. That's enough for me. As for the realize band I have just started seeing commercials for this a couple of weeks ago so I don't know. The commercial I saw advertised didn't appear to be exactly in line with the band as far as weight loss statistics but if you have been on this site then you know that the weight loss is contingent upon the individuals diet and exercise so in other words the product can only be as successful as you allow it to be (lap band/realize). If you can't make a decision on your own then let your Doctor do the surgery that he is the most familiar with that way you limit the risk of complications. Good Luck!

pearlygirl · 06-26-2008, 02:03 PM

I have the Realize band. My doc does both and I told him to use what he thought was best for me. One thing he did say that I liked, is that the Realize band is softer and more pliable causing less blockages or "stuck" food, as it can work it's way through the band. Also they showed me the band and while it does look triangular when filled, when you wrap it around something the fluid is dispersed an it makes and evenly filled circle.

leknigh · 06-26-2008, 02:34 PM

THANK YOU FOR ASKING THIS QUESTION! I have been going back and forth as well as it seems like the Realize band is growing in popularity - however, I feel like there is something to the multiple "ballooning" shape of the Lap Band. I think it looks like it would be better accomodating to the shape of the stomach.... on the hand, more "balloons" might mean a greater chance for erosion?!? I just don't know! Let me know what you end up going with, and what your surgeon said about the choice if you don't mind. GOOD LUCK!

NewHere37 · 06-26-2008, 04:17 PM

I did end up chosing the Realize. I feel the there are a lot of advantages to this band, and the only negative comments about the shape came from someone who was really hostile toward Realize and maybe not so objective. Wish me luck tomorrow!

JaJeanne · 06-26-2008, 04:56 PM

I have the same concerns!!! Where can we find factual information comparing each band? The whole triangular fit has me concerned, but like its been said there is not alot of data to back ethier one up to be better...anyone have any ideas to get more facts? thanks :o)

leknigh · 06-26-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewHere37

I did end up chosing the Realize. I feel the there are a lot of advantages to this band, and the only negative comments about the shape came from someone who was really hostile toward Realize and maybe not so objective. Wish me luck tomorrow!

Oh yeah - what helped sway your decision in that direction (if you don't mind answering)... I'm digging like crazy for info :)