The REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band provides a safe and effective way to lose weight. It helps you lose weight at a gradual, healthy rate—1 to 2 pounds per week.

The adjustable gastric band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach, dividing it into two parts: a small upper pouch and a lower stomach. The upper pouch can only hold about 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of food. This means you eat less food at one time, feel full sooner, and feel satisfied longer. That makes it easier to adopt—and stick with—healthy eating and lifestyle habits.

No part of your stomach is stapled or removed during surgery and your intestines are not rerouted, so you can continue to absorb nutrients from food.

The REALIZE™ Band is made entirely of biocompatible materials and has a soft balloon that fits around the stomach. The amount of saline in the balloon controls the tightness around your stomach. (The balloon can hold up to 1.8 teaspoons of saline.)

The degree of band tightness affects how much food you're able to eat during a meal and the length of time it takes for food to leave your stomach pouch (on its way through your digestive system). As a result, you'll feel fuller sooner and stay fuller longer. As the REALIZE™ Band helps you eat less food, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat energy supply.

Saline, which controls the tightness of the band, is delivered into the balloon through a port connected to thin, flexible tubing. The port is made from an implant-grade medical plastic and silicone. It is usually fastened about two inches below the rib cage on the left or right side. The exact location will depend upon your body shape and your surgeon's decision. The port is attached during the gastric band procedure.

Once in place, the REALIZE™ Injection Port is completely enclosed inside the body. It has the lowest profile of any injection port,³³ to minimize its appearance under the skin, even as you lose weight. But it's easy for your surgeon to locate. This helps make band adjustments fast and easy for you, too. You may be able to feel the port by gently pressing on your abdomen, but otherwise you probably won't notice it at all.

Your first band adjustment will probably be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery. As you lose weight, your band will be adjusted to your individual needs. Regular band adjustments ensure the amount of saline in your band (often called a fill level) is appropriate and comfortable for you. Adjustments are simple procedures made at your surgeon's office.

The REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band is implanted using laparoscopic surgery while you’re under anesthesia. Laparoscopic surgery involves small incisions. That means a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures.

A small incision (less than 1/2 inch) is made near the belly button. Carbon dioxide (a gas that occurs naturally in the body) is introduced into the abdomen to create a work space for the surgeon. Then a small laparoscopic camera is placed through this incision into the abdomen.

The camera sends a picture of the stomach and abdominal cavity to a video monitor. This gives the surgeons a good view and access to key structures in the abdominal cavity. A few additional small incisions are made in the abdomen. The surgeon watches the video monitor and works through these small incisions using instruments with long handles to complete the procedure. The surgeon creates a small circular tunnel behind the stomach, inserts the gastric band through the tunnel, and locks the band around the stomach.

If you’re like most people, surgery makes you anxious. Understanding what’s involved can ease your concerns. By attending an informational seminar, you'll get a better idea of the surgery experience by learning what happens on the day of surgery and what expectations you should have for recovery.

The REALIZE^TM Band is intended for long-term use. At this time, no evidence suggests that it will need to be replaced, except in the event of a complication.

Because gastric banding surgery does not permanently change the anatomy of the stomach and intestines, the REALIZE^TM Band can be removed if necessary. Please keep in mind that reversal surgery is not simple, and weight gain is usually observed in people who have their bands removed and do not continue a healthy eating regimen.

Ensuring your success with the REALIZE^TM Band requires a commitment to your new healthy lifestyle and support from your family and friends. That’s why we provide REALIZE mySUCCESS™, a Web-based clinical support tool that's available to you even before your surgery. It's designed to help you:

• Develop healthy habits in areas like physical activity and nutrition
• Stay connected to your bariatric team, especially for the critical first three years as you adjust to your new lifestyle
• Achieve and maintain a healthier weight

It’s shown to be effective. Patients who regularly use REALIZE mySUCCESS™ lose significantly more weight than those who do not.³²

Learn more about REALIZE mySUCCESS™.

Next: Band Adjustments >