Weight loss surgery is an effective tool to help you achieve and maintain a healthier 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 the REALIZE® Solution† for gastric banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy includes REALIZE mySUCCESS®. It’s a Web-based clinical support tool designed to help you maintain a healthier weight. In fact, it has been shown that REALIZE® Band patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS® lose significantly more weight.*
Learn more about the power of REALIZE mySUCCESS®.
The following information provides an overview of the differences between surgical weight loss options. Only you and your doctor can evaluate the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery and decide if it is an appropriate treatment option for you.
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
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| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
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The REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band wraps around the upper part of the stomach, dividing the stomach into a small upper pouch that holds about 1/2 cup of food and a larger lower stomach. The degree of band tightness affects how much food you can eat and the length of time it takes for food to leave the stomach pouch.More about Gastric Banding > |
In this procedure, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch and attaches a section of the small intestine directly to the pouch. This allows food to bypass a portion of the small intestine. More about Gastric Bypass > |
During the sleeve gastrectomy procedure a thin vertical sleeve of stomach is created using a stapling device. The sleeve is about the size of a banana. The rest of the stomach is removed. More about Sleeve Gastrectomy > |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
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By creating a smaller stomach pouch, the REALIZE Band limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, so you feel full sooner and stay full longer. As you eat less food, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat energy supply. |
By creating a smaller stomach pouch, a gastric bypass limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, so you feel full sooner and stay full longer. By bypassing a portion of the small intestine, it also causes your body to absorb fewer calories. As you eat less food, and absorb fewer calories, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat supply for energy. |
By creating a smaller stomach pouch, a sleeve gastrectomy limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, so you feel fuller sooner and stay fuller longer. As you eat less food, your body will stop storing excess calories and start using its fat supply for energy. |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
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Allows for normal digestion and absorption. Food passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing it to be fully absorbed in the body. |
Changes the body's normal digestive process to reduce the number of calories and nutrients that are absorbed. |
Allows for normal digestion and absorption. Food passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing it to be fully absorbed in the body. |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| Weight loss surgery can be performed using open surgery or laparascopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is considered to be minimally invasive because it's performed through small incisions. A laparoscopic procedure usually results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures. Most surgeons prefer the laparoscopic approach. | ||
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| 43%1 | 61.6%9 | 33% to 83%12 with an average of 55%13 |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| 47.8%1 | 83.7%9 | 14% resolved; 86% improved36 |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| 43.2%9 | 67.5%9 | 42%23 |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| 78.3%9 In addition, patients in the Canada clinical trial experienced a 22% increase in good cholesterol (HDL), 36 months after surgery.1 | 94.9%9 | 43% resolved; 38% improved36 |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| 94.6%9 | 80.4%9 | 39%23 |
Actual out-of-pocket costs vary and depend on whether insurance covers the procedure.
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 to $17,000 | $26,000 for open surgery and $17,000 for laparoscopic surgery.11 | $26,000 for open surgery and $17,000 for laparoscopic surgery.11 |
A recent study showed that bariatric surgery pays for itself in about 2 years.11 One important reason is that weight loss surgery may help to improve or resolve conditions associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol,9 so patients save money on related prescription drugs, doctor visits, and hospital visits.11
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes to 1 hour | 1 to 2 hours | 1.5 to 3.5 hours 14 |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
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| 1 to 2 days | 2 days18 | 2 to 5 days14 |
| REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastric bypass | Sleeve gastrectomy |
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| Read about the risks for gastric banding > | Read about the risks for gastric bypass > | Read about the risks for sleeve gastrectomy > |
Most doctors recommend waiting at least 1 year after the surgery before beginning a pregnancy.
Only the REALIZE Solution for gastric banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy includes the REALIZE mySUCCESS® Program, a Web-based clinical support tool designed to help you achieve and maintain a healthier weight. In fact, it has been shown that REALIZE Band patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS® lose significantly more weight.* How REALIZE mySUCCESS® can help bariatric patients >
Bariatric surgery has been shown to be more effective than traditional weight loss treatments such as diet and exercise for morbidly obese people.15 Despite the effectiveness of bariatric surgery, it is not for everyone. Find out if you're a candidate for surgery >
Want to talk it over? We're ready to help. Call us at 1-866-300-1818 if you have questions or concerns or want help finding a seminar near you.
*Patients who frequently use REALIZE mySUCCESS® lose significantly more weight. Based on 12 months of patient-reported data from REALIZE Band patients using REALIZE mySUCCESS®. Frequent users were in the top third of patients based on frequency of entering a weight into
REALIZE mySUCCESS®. Source: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., data on file.
†The REALIZE Solution combines REALIZE mySUCCESS® with the use of select surgical instruments.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION The REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band is used in morbidly obese adult patients for significant long-term weight loss. It may not be right for individuals with certain digestive tract conditions. All surgery presents risks. Weight, age, and medical history determine your specific risks. Ask your doctor if bariatric surgery is right for you. For more information, call 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493). Risks for all bariatric procedures
© Johnson & Johnson, Inc. 2007-2011 All rights reserved. DSL# 09-0903 Last Updated: March 2011. This site is published by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a unit of Johnson & Johnson Medical Products, a division of Johnson & Johnson, Inc., which is solely responsible for its contents, and is intended for Canada audiences only. This site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your physician can diagnose and appropriately treat your symptoms.
†The REALIZE Solution combines REALIZE mySUCCESS® with the use of select Ethicon Endo-Surgery surgical instruments for bariatric surgery.
