What Is the Difference Between Realize & Lap-Band?

For people with a body mass index over 40 and/or health problems related to obesity, gastric bands such as Realize and Lap-Band could improve their health. Both bands have been approved by the FDA in the United States. They assist in weight loss by making you feel full faster so you eat less and lose weight. As weight loss occurs, the band can be adjusted using saline solution. Although both gastric bands work similarly, deciding which is right for you requires looking at how they differ. Remember you should always talk to your doctor for more specific information.

Sizes and Adjustability

• Five Lap-Band gastric bands are available so your bariatric surgeon needs to decide on the appropriate size and style band for your needs at the time of the procedure. Only two Realize models are available and they are once-size-fits-all, but the "C" model can adjust more. Overall, the Realize bands provide greater adjustability than the Lap-Band models. With greater adjustability, your doctor can better control your food intake by making the pouch at the top of the stomach small without keeping food from reaching the rest of your digestive system.

Tissue Damage Potential

• When gastric bands are adjusted using saline solution, they can press against surrounding tissue and cause damage, as well as discomfort. The risk is greatest when the band is in its high pressure zone, meaning the band's material is strained. The five Lap-Band models enter their high pressure zone at different levels of adjustment. The Lap-Band 10 model reaches this point at one-half milliliter of saline while the Lap-Band AP-L model stays in the low pressure zone until four milliliters of saline are injected. In comparison, both Realize bands remain in the low pressure zone beyond nine milliliters of saline.

Injection Ports

• To adjust the gastric band, your doctor injects saline into a port that is accessible without additional surgery. The port is placed beneath the skin during the gastric banding procedure. The ports associated with the Lap-Band procedure are larger than those used with the Realize procedure which may make the former more noticeable following weight loss. Stitches are used to connect the Lap-Band port while a specially designed anchoring system is used for the Realize port. The anchoring system reduces your time under anesthetic during the procedure and reduces the chance of the port becoming inaccessible at some point following the procedure.

Online Tools

• Both the Lap-Band and Realize gastric band manufacturers created tools to help patients. My Lap-Band Journey includes online organization for future appointments, weight loss tracking and reporting, access to articles and recipes, and an ID card. The myRealize system offers similar benefits but also connects you to your surgeon who can also keep track of your progress. These tools are available to you before and after surgery.