Answer 1 Realize band is more or less similar to lap band in many cases. Both bands are a type of adjustable band which is used to place laparoscopically to restrict the amount to food which you intake to get rid of obesity. Realize band is owned by company Ethicon which is a Johnson & Johnson company. They rename Swedish band to realize band after taking their band from Sweden Company. Installation procedure is same as the lap band surgery little bit is different. Other things are similar like realize band is reversible, need to follow diet plan after surgery, weight loss ratio is same, some side-effects are also associated with this band, adjustment is needed, reversible and many more.
Realize adjustable gastric band technology is advanced than the other form of adjustable gastric band in the aspect of locking mechanism and port technology. Realize band has the reservoir (where saline goes) that go around 360 degree which make this band wider which reduce the chances of slippage. Surgeon used to suture the device closed in the original gastric band but in the realize band surgeon can used locking mechanism. Lap band has two port sizes one is regular and other is low profile and both are placed by suture but realize band has low profile port. Port has built-in hook which can be placed by using a device that triggers hook to attach with abdominal wall muscles. Surgeon can also sew the port to fix it like lap band installed but placing it through hook is the better option as it prevents pot displacement or flipping or less trama at the port site. Realize band has soft plastic which is good to save it from erosion. One more technology which is introduce in the realize band is its low pressure cuff. Even in the capacity of 9cc, is still at zero pressure. Just because of the low pressure fluid will stay inside and patient will not feel the problem of food intolerance. It allows more comfortable eating for meats and other similar texture.
Realize band come with the weight loss support system which guides you throughout the journey of weight loss. Four customized components are included in this like: a personal plan, a nutritional plan, a fitness plan and a progress tracker. In lap band you have to be in contact with your surgeon throughout your lap ban journey.
This is the comparison with the previous version of lap band. Now the new Lap band AP system is also developed with the new technology. Lap band AP system had coverage of full 360 degree around the stomach. It is taller than the realize band. According to the lap band surgeon, the more contact area with the band\'s balloon the less chances of slippage. Lap band AP system come in two size one is APS which can hold up to 10cc of fluid and other is APW which can hold up to 14cc. it makes band more reliable. Lap band APL system provide more range of adjustability than realize band. Realize band port is available in one size but Lap band system has 2 size ports. Lap band AP system is with the 2 bands and 2 ports let your surgeon to customize by using either one. Lap band AP system is based on soft pillow like section. This section holds stomach with soft pressure. It provides reliable restriction, band stability and adjustment whereas Realize band is 1 long tube shaped balloon. When it is filled with higher amount of saline it may ‘Kink\' like a rubber hose. This is called ‘crease fold\'. It might be possible that saline may leak from band.
Realize band has less side-effects and complication in comparison to the lap band system like less slippage, port displacement.
It is not that realize band is good and lap band system is not good or vice versa. There are lots of people who have successful surgery with lap band and realize band both. The most important thing for the success of surgery is how you are taking your surgery. Which model of band you are using is little bit concerning topic. But the main is your follow up care after surgery. So, meet with your surgeon and ask what he or she would prefer to you according to your body condition and seriously follow the care plan to get the success with your band.
