Compare REALIZE^® Band with the LAP-BAND System

The LAP-BAND System and REALIZE^® Adjustable Gastric Band comparison

The REALIZE Band has more than 20 years of clinical experience

The REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band is a safe and effective weight loss tool, supported by more than 20 years of worldwide clinical experience and ongoing innovation. Outside the United States, the REALIZE Band is known as the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB), and it has been used in patients since 1986. Patient safety and comfort are the main principles that guided the design of the SAGB. More than 20 years of data confirm the successful performance of the original soft, low-pressure balloon design. Today, the makers of the REALIZE Band still put patient safety and comfort first.

No adjustable gastric band is safer or more effective for weight loss than the REALIZE Band.³

Shown to help patients achieve and maintain a healthier weight

Patients in a 3-year clinical trial:

• Lost a mean of 40% of their excess weight at 1 year and 43% at 3 years.¹
• Were able to reduce their (average) BMI from 44 to 36 in the first year after surgery. Patients were able to maintain their reduced BMI through their third year.¹

In the U.S., REALIZE Band patients in a clinical trial experienced a significant reduction in the key indicator of type 2 diabetes.¹

Includes the only Web-based clinical support tool shown to help patients lose more weight^*

Experts agree that to lose weight and keep it off, bariatric surgery patients require help to learn healthy new habits and to stay in touch with their bariatric team. That's why we recruited bariatric surgeons, dietitians, and behavior modification specialists to help create the REALIZE mySUCCESS^® Program.

REALIZE mySUCCESS^® guides you through two essential stages for success following surgery. Stage 1 helps you build healthy habits over the first 18 months. Stage 2 keeps you motivated, on track, and connected with your bariatric practice over the next 18 months and beyond.

You'll learn and practice strategies that will help cement your healthy habits—and help you achieve your healthier weight. In fact, REALIZE  mySUCCESS^® is shown to help REALIZE Band patients lose significantly more weight in the first year after surgery.* REALIZE mySUCCESS^® also keeps you connected with your bariatric team and allows your doctor to step in precisely when needed to keep you on track. You and your doctor can watch your progress and fine-tune your plan. Learn more about the power of REALIZE mySUCCESS^®.

REALIZE mySUCCESS^® is exclusive to the REALIZE^® Solution^† for gastric banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy.

REALIZE mySUCCESS^® is available before and after weight loss surgery

Anyone considering bariatric surgery is invited to start using REALIZE  mySUCCESS^®. Before surgery, you can access specially designed features and tools to begin changing your habits and improving your health. Enroll now!

Designed with your safety and comfort in mind

• The REALIZE Injection Port has the lowest profile of any injection port to minimize its appearance under the skin, even as you lose weight.¹
• The REALIZE Band offers a high-volume, low-pressure balloon¹ that's designed to reduce the potential for tissue trauma.
• As the widest band available (23 mm), the REALIZE Band is designed to decrease the potential for band slippage.¹ If a band slips, it will need to be replaced or adjusted in another surgical procedure.
• No adjustable gastric band has a lower leak rate than the REALIZE Band.³ If a band leaks, it will need to be removed and replaced, requiring a second surgical procedure.
• The REALIZE Injection Port is placed without sutures (during gastric banding surgery) to reduce pain and time under anesthesia. The port is placed using a unique, patented port applier. Because the LAP-BAND System's port is attached using sutures (stitches), REALIZE Band patients may experience less port site pain and less time under anesthesia than LAP-BAND System patients.⁴

Product and support comparison

Bands available

REALIZE Adjustable Gastric BandREALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band-C	LAP-BAND System products
More than 20 years of experience with the same band didn't indicate a need for multiple sizes. REALIZE Band-C has a 14% greater adjustment range than the REALIZE Band5. But both the REALIZE Band and REALIZE Band-C are one-size-fits-all. This prevents surgeons from having to make the decision about which size to use during surgery.	LAP-BAND AP-L LAP-BAND AP-S Vanguard LAP-BAND 9.75 LAP-BAND 10.06

Range of adjustments

REALIZE Adjustable Gastric BandREALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band-C

LAP-BAND System

REALIZE Band and REALIZE Band-C share the same clinically proven high-volume, low-pressure balloon design that's designed to reduce the potential for tissue trauma.7 With the REALIZE low-pressure balloon, filling does not cause the material to strain or stretch. A balloon that is not under strain is able to conform to tissue more easily than a balloon under strain.5 As you can see in the graph below, REALIZE Band and REALIZE Band-C always remain in the low-pressure zone.5

LAP-BAND System balloon walls strain when filled to less than half of their maximum fill volume.5 As you can see in the graph below, the LAP-BAND System products cross into the high-pressure zone early in their adjustment range.5

Figure 1: REALIZE Band and REALIZE Band-C always remain in the low-pressure zone.⁵

360-degree balloon coverage

REALIZE Band	LAP-BAND System
Yes	Yes

Fill volume range

Figure 2. REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band-C has the largest isostatic adjustment range on the market.⁵

Injection port system

REALIZE Band	LAP-BAND System
Type: sutureless	Type: sutured
The lowest profile injection port available minimizes its appearance under the skin, even as you lose weight.1 The REALIZE Injection Port is placed without sutures (during gastric banding surgery) to reduce pain and time under anesthesia. The port is placed using a unique, patented port applier. Because the LAP-BAND System port is attached using sutures (stitches), REALIZE Band patients may experience less port site pain and up to 19% less time under anesthesia than LAP-BAND System patients.4	LAP-BAND System ports come in two sizes. Both are larger than the REALIZE port. Uses stitches (sutures) to attach the injection port. Suturing ports can increase total operative time up to 19%.4
The REALIZE tissue anchor system is 66% stronger than sutures**, and because of this, it allows for port stability.1	Sutures** are not as strong as the REALIZE tissue anchor system.1

^**As tested using four 2-0 Prolene sutures.

Patient support

REALIZE Band	LAP-BAND system
Includes the REALIZE mySUCCESS® web-based clinical support tool	Offers My LAP-BAND Journey
Clinically proven to help patients lose more weight. REALIZE Band patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS® lose significantly more weight in the first year after surgery.*	No clinical outcomes data available.
Designed in consultation with bariatric surgeons, dietitians, and behavior modification specialists to meet the specific needs you have as a REALIZE Band patient, such as being able to track your band fills and help you find the right fit, access recipes tailored for band patients, and stay connected to your surgeon so you can receive personal guidance when necessary.
Available if you choose the REALIZE Band or the REALIZE Solution for gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Each version of REALIZE mySUCCESS® takes into account the unique needs of each type of patient.
Available before surgery to help you begin changing your habits and improving your health. After surgery, REALIZE mySUCCESS® helps you develop healthy habits and stay connected with your bariatric team.	Available before and after surgery.
Allows your doctor to monitor your progress and step in precisely when needed to keep you on track. Enables you to communicate with your surgeon, share tips and lessons learned with other patients, set fitness goals, keep a food diary, read articles, set reminders, access coping strategies, and more.	Enables you to track goals and measurements and set reminders. Fewer features and tools than REALIZE mySUCCESS®.

For information about the differences between the two bands, and about all of your surgical weight loss options, we encourage you to attend a free bariatric surgery information seminar, hosted by a REALIZE Band trained surgeon. It's a great way to learn about the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery, as well as the differences between gastric bands.