Hi All, I am a Newbie also at the beginning phases, but have one of my best friends had this procedure. We are so close, I pretty much heard her experience with most of the topics discussed.here. She also said the fills did not hurt much, and her dr's recommendation is a tightening every 10 lbs. I'm not sure if that is standard for all. I have to go a different surgeon than she did due to my insurance, She has lost over 100 lbs, but it has taken her about 3 years. She looks amazing! I will say, she tried to cheat ALOT! She initially tried to eat things that were not recommended and would head straight to the bathroom to vomit. Seeing her body respond in that way was enough for me to really follow the dr's orders!