made4more

That was a great analogy, thank you!!
I don't think any weight loss surgery is a quick fix. *shakes head.*. In fact, I've had to repeat that several times over the last few weeks.
You still drink lots of Water, exercise etc surgery just makes it a lot harder to poke a bunch of unhealthy food into my mouth. That's a big help! On every diet I've ever done I've just felt so empty and hungry that I finally just stuffed myself, felt like a failure and gave up. I would love to be forced to eat slower and take my time and feel hunger.
Is lap band permanent? Or can it be, I mean? Im worried about having to take it out some day. Of course by Then there may be an even better method out there.
Ty for all the answers. I really appreciate it.

My wife and I were both sleeved on May 15th by Dr. Fernando Garcia in Tijuana. We were at Mi Doctors hospital and because we both had the surgery, our cost was $4800 a piece. That includes hospital stay (which was the best care I've ever had in a hospital), surgery (did not have ANY complications to date), hotel stay for 3 nights (Marriot was very nice and had great service) and transportation (the driver, Samual Jr, was right on time and a great dude).
From what I have seen on this forum, everyone loves the doctor they chose. So what that tells me is that they are all good and are all qualified! So my advice is to choose one that you are most comfortable with, for whatever reason, and don't second guess your decision. I'm sure you will be in great hands wherever you go.
It's an easy surgery to recover from. I went back to work 6 days after and could have gone back 3 days after.

To further explain how the band controls your eating-
Imagine the stomach is like a plastic bottle. To get to the top of the bottle, you must fill the entire bottle. With the band, a small pouch is made near the top of the bottle, which allows the top portion to fill without actually consuming enough to fill the entire bottle. The hunger "sensors" are located at the top of the stomach and so the band allows a reduction in the amount you eat, but it makes the sensors believe you're "full." With adjustments of saline, the band is made to satiate real hunger (not head hunger) for 4-5 hours.
Another thing to look into is that I've heard in VSG or gastric that the stomach can regrow the sensors that are cut out. I'm not sure how common that is though.

The band is only a tool to assist with managing your appetite and to help control portions. The band works by providing restriction to the stomach and creates a small pouch which fills when small meals are eaten. The pouch will eventually empty into the rest of the digestive tract. While full, the hunger is controlled. After being banded, your surgeon usually will periodically adjust the the amount of restriction (amount the band is filled with saline) to increase the restriction, and thereby increase the length of time for your meal to be digested.
Someone with a band does get hungry, but the pouch limits how much you are able to eat, therefore the portion control helps to loose weight. The diet consists of lean healthy Proteins and Fiber carbs, and each meal is measured by volume not weight. Patients are encouraged to make healthy food choices, and avoid any added sugars or over processed foods. Patients are also encouraged to exercise, and generally modify their lifestyles to healthier practices.
What helps me control my hunger is to continue to drink necessary fluids between meals to stay properly hydrated.
There are restrictions on the kinds of food you should have, but most people find they can eat most anything, just in greatly reduced amounts. The goal is to make better choices and avoid the type of foods which contributed to your weight issues.
This forum has many members who are informative and knowledgeable. Best way to learn is to ask questions!