HI! Personally I lived on tuna for a few months after I had a fill that was a little too much. I love tuna. I mix it with a little shredded lettuce and some ranch dressing - yum!
I still have exercise (2 yrs banded in a few days). I love to walk though and I do about 3 miles when I can - hard with 3 kids. My youngest and I (he's 3), will walk about a mile some days.
My entire circle of family and friends have been supportive. Except maybe my aunt who when she found out I got my band said something like, "Are you really that fat" Well, yes at 5'7": and 262 lbs I was that fat!
I still love my band, as too foods that I can't eat - it's RICE. Some people have different. I think things are subjective for everyone.