ap band and Realize band both are the medical device which are used in adjustable gastric band surgery. Both work in the same manner of restriction to help in the reduction of overweight and function in the same manner with a 360 degree of band movement. The theory or working and procedure of implanting both bands are similar but there are some points which make difference between Lap-Band and Realize Band.
Realize adjustable gastric band has more than 20 years of experience in the field of adjustable weight loss surgery. Outside US, it is known as Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB). It was used as weight loss solution since 1986. So it is not the new concept. It is also very old. It has successful record with patient comfort. Lap Band surgery is first adjustable gastric band device used as weight loss solution and has good success rate.
Realize band come with REALIZE mySUCCESS® Program to help patient to be more comfortable and to lose weight. Program guides through two essential stages for success of this surgery. First it helps you to make good and healthy habits for first 18 months and secondly for the next 18 months and beyond this it motivate you, keep you on track of weight loss and care following after surgery. It has been noticed that with the help of this program patient loss more weight in first year. But Lap Band surgeon provide LAP-BAND® Journey Online Support Program which provide comprehensive guide to patient to lose their weight. But there is no any clinically prove that this program help patients in losing weight.
| LAP-BAND |
REALIZE-BAND |
Weight loss
With the Lap –Band AP system you can lose up to 34% of weight in the first 6 months and about 47% of over weight in 1 year and during the period of five years lose approx 55 to 60% of their weight.
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With the Realize band patient can lose up to 29% of their weight in 6 months and 40% of weight in 1 year and at the end of 3 year you can lose up to 43% of your weight. |
LAP-BAND AP system is #1 selling gastric banding system in US and is in the existence in for more than 6 years than Realize Band. 8 years of experience in US. FDA approved in 2001.
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It has also experience of 20 years. Outside US it was known as Swedish adjustable gastric band and has successful record. 2 years experience in US. FDA approved in 2007 |
| It consistently innovated with advanced technology. 3 generation of improvements has been seen in Lap-Band System .
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2 generation of improvement in Realize band. |
Band Size
Lap –Band System come in different size which provide surgeon to choose system which suits to your anatomy and help you in more weight loss. It provides more reliability of band.
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Realize Band (Realize band and Realize band –C) come in one size. One size fits to all. This help surgeon to decide which one should implant during surgery and it has successful records. 14% great adjustment range is found in Realize Band –C. |
Port size
Lap Band system come with 2 size port- Regular and low profile which is addressed depending on the individual need of weight loss.
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Only 1 size is available. But less than Lap Band Port size. Low profile port minimizes the appearance of port under the skin. |
Adjustment range
When Lap band system is filled less than half of their maximum fill volume then system balloon walls strain. It crosses the limit and enters in to high pressure zone. |
Realize band share low pressure and high volume balloon design which reduce the possibility of tissue trauma. It doesn't cause stretch while filling. So that it be conventional to tissue in comparison to balloon with under strain.
Even after filling it remain in the low pressure zone in their range of adjustment. So patients not feel the problem of food intolerance. Patients feel comfortable eating.
Realize Band –C has the largest isostatic range of adjustment.
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Port placement
Lap Band System port is placed under the skin by using sutures means stitches. |
Realize Band low profile port is placed under the skin without sutures. It placed with the help of a device called trigger which is like a hook. This is a unique patented port applier. It reduces the pain and patient's anesthesia time period (19 % less). It is stronger than sutures process. It makes port stability and reduces the chances of port displacement (flipping). You will experience less port site pain.
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Balloon coverage area
360 degree of balloon coverage for secure placement of band |
360 degree of balloon coverage for secure placement of band |
| No such |
Plastic used is soft which reduce band erosion. |
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Lap Band System is designed with soft pillow like precurved section which can hold stomach with soft pressure. It minimize port leak of saline due to crease or fold. It doesn't crease at placement.
Thickest shell reduces the risk of balloon fatigue and it is available .043 inch average.
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Realize Band is a long tube-shaped silicone balloon. So, when saline is filled in higher amount it may ‘Kink' like a rubber hose. Crease can occur and it may cause the leakage of saline from port which may cause infection.
Thickness of shell is .022 inch average. |
This is the short discussion over difference between lap band and realize band.
Whatever band you choose for your surgery but the most important thing is how you are living your life after surgery. It is very important to follow up care after adjustable gastric band surgery in order to avoid the maximum possibilities of side-effects, complication and to achieve the goal of weight loss. Meet to your surgeon and after discussing with them about difference between lap band and realize band and which band suits to me, choose one which help you to lose your overweight and help you to gain good personality.
