My mother told me a similar story about a month before my surgery but after much research and dr consultations I felt very comfortable with going foward. You have to make the choice for yourself. I have been over-weight all my life, and always struggled with food ( I love to eat) and I have been on many diets and exercise programs, but the minute you get off the diet or stop exercising you gain the weight back. WLS has been great because my weight loss is steady and I have found it hard to put the pounds back on. After surgery you will still have to watch the kinds of foods you eat and excercise (which is what your friend wants you to do) except that if you skip a day or two of going to the gym or you have a cheeseburger and fries(you wont be able to eat the whole thing) a few times you don't gain.(at least in my case). You will not stop eating the "bad" foods overnight but even if you eat the same foods because your portion sizes are going to be so much smaller your calorie intake is still much lower than if you didnt have the band therefore still causing weight loss. The best thing I can tell you is decide whats best for YOUR LIFE. Once you get it done and time has passed people wont even be talking about how bad the surgery is instead they will tell you how great you look! Good luck

I had my lap-band for four years with 3 adjustments and I didn't lose any weight, but I was drinking while I was eating. Are you doing that? Not drinking was the key to getting "full"! And I wasn't following that rule. I was also letting my mind say I was hungry when my body was full and at times getting sick because of this. In December I had my band taken out and I have gained 40 pounds! It was working! but I was making it more difficult on myself and not paying attention to the signals my body was giving me. I hope this helps, it may not be the same for you but after four years I had many ups and downs with my band and I hope this will help.

Feeling hungry about a week after surgery is normal according to my dr. After my surgery I was not hungry the first week but as the second week rolled around I started to feel more hungry. I think this is because the swelling around your band has gone down and the band has not been filled yet so the liquids your on is going through the band easier and quicker. I was able to eat a whole sugar free pudding and actually started solid foods earlier than I was suppose to(but I would be very careful) Once I got my first fill on my 3rd week the dr said that It was normal that I was feeling hungry and thats expected and usually you should have your first fill 2-3weeks after surgery because they know you begin to feel more hungry the longer you are post-op. Hope this info helps.

Go to the message board and post someone will definately reply honey good luck

I had my test yesterday, no hernia, but the pouch and my esophagus are dilated. I had the doctor in the Radiology dept call my doctor, and my doctor had me immediately come to her office to be unfilled. I am on liquids for two days and than regular food. I go back in six weeks to start all over again. The dilation can be cause be overeating or being to restricted. The doctor removed 6 ml of fluid.