Anyone thinking about lap band surgery MUST do all their own homework before jumping into surgery. My experience is only mine, of course, so everyone will have a different outcome, opinion, and experience. After almost one year with the lap band, here's what I've found. First, DO NOT go into this thinking it's the answer to all you problems and the weight is going to drop off overnight with no hard work from you. Not gonna happen. My feeling after 11+ months is this.....had I known then what I know now, I would never have gone through with lap band surgery. I'll explain.. You have to be able to diet even with the lap band. You have to stop eating junk and DO NOT expect to feel satisfied after any meal....although the latter differs person to person. My feeling on this is simple, if was able to diet, I wouldn't have had a $52k surgery. It's a tool only. And a minor tool at that. If you like to snack and can't cut out crap from your diet, don't waste your or your insurance company's money. It's not gonna end well. I was made all these promises and now realize it was just to get my money. After I eat I'm uncomfortable, not full or satisfied. I have a 14cc band with about 8cc in it. I know it's what I'm eating but again, my homework wasn't extensive enough to know all this which is my mistake.....which is why I'm posting this, so I doesn't become yours as well. So, if you're a 3 meal a day person and just need to cut down on meal sizes, and you can change what you eat to a more healthy diet, and you exercise daily, it should work for you......however you can easily do this on your own without the surgery if you're structured and have willpower. Just don't expect miracles without a lot of work......something I wasn't aware of even if I should have known better. Good luck and remember, DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST!!!! -Joe

Moving this to the Lap Band forums.