I am on my last month of physician supervised visits, and I get the same discouragement from my surgeon, even when I went to Support Group meeting the people who had Lap Band seemed to struggle with weight loss though they were all losing it was at a much slower rate than bypass. When I mentioned that I was undecided as to which surgery to choose lap band or bypass (sleeve is not option for me) all by passers were very quick to push bypass while the lap banders sat quietly while I gave my reasons why I was leaning toward lap band. Then slowly one by one they encouraged me to continue on that path because even though they were losing slowly that were all very happy with their decision. Also, when I looked around the room the lap banders were they ones with great skin color, bright eyes, and no hair loss. That stuck with me the most, yes,I need to lose weight but I want to do it with the best long term health consequence. I do not want to become deficit in other areas. I need something to guide me toward making the right choices to lose weight and change my bad habits. Lap band, I feel is that tool, along with support from my WLS center, websites like this, and good support system I am finally going to win this war of unhealthy weight gain.