The procedure was sold to me as you are saying. I tried my best to follow my water intake, protein shakes and foods off their list. My problem was that I was constantly throwing up stingy meats like chicken, lettuce and almost anything you couldn't grind down to powder consistency with my teeth. I did not throw up soups like tomato or chicken soup or mashed food like mashed potatoes. When my weight loss stalled at about 20 pounds I was told soup was bad for me - too much sodium. We played with adjustments about once every 6 weeks. Not what I was expecting. I have three doctors in the family who suggested I involve my primary care physician after a year and a half to have my band opened up. My HMR diet place in town just closed its doors and I am going back to weight watchers. My gastric surgeon said I should have had a gastric bypass and not the lap band. I would not do it again if I knew my results would be this poor.