Search  
This site requires Flash 9 Player to view. Click here to download.
Obesity and Weight Loss
Compare LAP-BAND® and REALIZE™ Band

Compare LAP-BAND® vs. REALIZE™ Band – Get the Facts

Why more patients and physicians choose the LAP-BAND AP ® System for adjustable gastric banding over REALIZE™ Band



View the chart below to see why the LAP-BAND AP® System is the #1 selling adjustable gastric banding system.

LAP-BAND® Surgeon Personal Experience

Choosing the LAP-BAND AP® System puts you in excellent hands and provides support along every step of your personal journey. Be sure to ask your surgeon and practice staff about their own personal experience with the LAP-BAND AP® System. Often times, staff members have had the LAP-BAND® System—they can also help answer your questions. It's important to learn how different gastric bands compare to one another. Learn more

Over a Decade of Gastric Band Experience

The LAP-BAND® Systems are the #1 selling gastric banding systems in the world. The first generation LAP-BAND® was the first gastric band system approved by the FDA, six years before REALIZE™ Band. Allergan’s latest generation of gastric band, the LAP-BAND AP® System was developed based on the experience and feedback of thousands of patients, surgeons and health care professionals. This feedback was combined with Allergan’s unique expertise in silicone medical devices and years of experience in adjustable gastric banding to develop the LAP-BAND AP® System, designed for Advanced Performance.

When choosing the LAP-BAND AP® System, patients and surgeons are choosing a system based on proven reliability and performance. The LAP-BAND AP® System's proprietary OMNIFORM™ design represents the latest generation in the gastric banding system. The latest research and design are at work together to deliver Advanced Performance with the LAP-BAND AP® System. It is designed for customization with 2 band sizes and 2 port sizes, which provides your surgeon 4 options to tailor your system for your anatomy and weight loss needs.

Proven Weight Loss Results

The LAP-BAND® System has been proven to result in steady, healthy weight loss. In a recent ongoing US study, patients with the latest generation LAP-BAND AP® System lost over 34% of their excess weight in the first 6 months (N=303), and over 47% of their excess weight at 1 year (N=139).1,2 In another international study reviewing long-term results of multiple studies over a 5-year period, LAP-BAND® System patients lost 55% of their excess weight (N= 272).3

REALIZE™ Band patients lost 29% of their excess weight at 6 months (N=260), 38% at 1 year (N=269) and 43% at 3 years (N=276)6

My LAP-BAND® Journey Online Support Program

And you're not alone in your weight loss journey. You'll also have great support from your surgeon and our My LAP-BAND® Journey online support program. Every LAP-BAND® System surgeon is trained to provide you with comprehensive care, information and support. Additionally, many surgeons and office staff participate in our unique LAP-BAND TOTAL CARE™ program, aimed at sharing best practices and training for optimal patient care. My LAP-BAND® Journey offers patients comprehensive pre- and post-operative tools for practical and emotional support from day one. Learn more

Tested and Trusted Gastric Banding System

The LAP-BAND AP® System is the #1 selling adjustable gastric banding system for all these reasons:
Feature

LAP-BAND® System

REALIZE™ Band
History of Use in the U.S.
  • FDA approved in 2001 for a safety record 6-years longer than REALIZE™ Band
  • 3 Generations of improvements. Allergan has expertise in implantable silicone devices to bring ongoing innovation and advanced technology.
  • 8 Years of experience in the U.S.
  • FDA approved in 2007
  • 2 Generations of improvements.
  • 2 Years of experience in the U.S.
Patient Use
  • The #1 selling adjustable gastric band chosen by surgeons and patients with over 500,000 LAP-BAND® Systems sold worldwide4
  • Approximately 100,000 REALIZE™ Bands have been sold worldwide5
Band Design Technology LAP-BAND AP® System
  • Allergan has patented the 360° OMNIFORM™ technology (soft pillow-like sections for evenly distributed pressure), which is the most advanced technology.
  • The 7 pre-curved, pillow-like sections embrace the stomach with a natural shape for evenly distributed soft pressure, which provides band stability, reliable restriction, and the ability to personalize your adjustments to control food portion sizes for optimal weight loss.
REALIZE™ Band
  • REALIZE™ Band is 1 long tube shaped balloon that may “kink” like a rubber hose when filled with higher levels of saline (see photo above). This “kinking” is called a crease-fold. It is possible that over time this may cause the band to leak saline, which may require an operation to replace the band.7,8 The new REALIZE Band-C also uses a long tube shaped balloon and may be susceptible to similar kinking.
Band Sizes
  • Together with 2 bands and 2 ports, your surgeon can customize your LAP-BAND AP® System by using either band with either port to give you the combination that fits you best. This provides your surgeon 4 options to tailor your system for your anatomy and optimize your weight loss.
  • Both REALIZE™ bands, including REALIZE Band-C, are available in one size only. 
Access Port Sizes
  • 2 size ports, including a slimmer, lower profile port that allows you and your surgeon to select the best option for you.
  • Available in one size only.


Adjustability
  • The LAP-BAND® APL System provides the largest range of adjustability of any band.
  • The REALIZE Band-C provides a more narrow range of adjustability than the LAP-BAND® APL System.
Patient Support Program

My LAP-BAND® Journey

  • The LAP-BAND AP® system is your "tool" to achieve your weight loss goals.  Still, losing weight requires education, support, and visits to your surgeon.
  • Designed specifically for the adjustable gastric band, My LAP-BAND® Journey is your online clinical support tool and email program that helps you every step of your journey, from first learning about weight loss options, to helping you prepare for surgery, to tracking and achieving your goals after surgery with FitDay™ tools, and living healthily ever after.
  • My LAP-BAND® Journey program connects you directly with your surgeon.

  • My LAP-BAND® Journey offers you a free 10-week nutritional support and lifestyle change program with medical experts from Lindora®.
  • Female LAP-BAND® System patients also receive an exclusive discount to Curves® to get active after surgery.

 

  • Program supports multiple weight loss surgery procedures.
  • Patient support program is only available after you’ve selected a surgeon and received an access code shortly before you decide to have the surgery, leaving patients without support during the important preliminary decision and preparation phases.











  • No partnerships offered.

LAP-BAND® System References

  1. Data on file, Allergan, Inc. July 2009, Irvine, CA
  2. The LAP-BAND® System [Directions for Use]. Irvine, CA; Allergan, Inc; June 2007. The LAP-BAND® System was approved in the United States on the basis of a nonrandomized, single-arm study (N=299). Significant improvement in percent of excess weight loss vs baseline was achieved at 12 months (34.5%), 24 months (37.8%), and 36 months (36.2%).
  3. O'Brien PE, et al. Systematic Review of Medium-Term Weight Loss after Bariatric Operations. Obesity Surgery. 2006; 16(8): 1032-1040.
  4. Data on file, Allergan, Inc. May, 2009, Irvine, CA
  5. FDA approves REALIZE™ adjustable gastric band for morbid obesity. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., press release. Available at: http://www.ethiconendo.com/dtcf/pages/press_room_4.htm. Accessed on September 23, 2008
  6. REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band Instructions for Use ©Obtech Medical Sàrl 2008 74110 IFU-74110.
  7. Mittermair RP, Weiss HG, et al. Band Leakage after Laparoscopical Adjustable Gastric Banding. Obesity Surgery 2003; 13:913-917
  8. Reijnen M, Naus JH, et al. Mechanical Evaluation of a Ruptured Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band. Obesity Surgery 2004; 14:253-255.
Send to a Friend Print this Page
Start Today
My LAP-BAND® Journey

Get personalized guidance for your weight loss journey with My LAP-BAND® Journey.

 
Do you have a question?
Need more information?
1-800-LAP-BAND

The LAP-BAND® System information hotline is available 7 days a week.