Dr land also performed my surgery, and I am so pleased with the results. Just as you said It is just a tool. I have to consistantly exercise, and I now do strength training too. I have lost all but 10 pounds of my weight. I was band oct 3 of last year (2007). what a diff it has made. I weighed in at 241 on the day of sugery I now weigh about 165 and wear size 10 and a few size 8. I at first wanted to weigh 145 as goal but that will cause me to wear like a 4 and that is too small for my 5' 5" height. I only want to lose about 10 more and its probably skin. If you follow the rules success is inevitable!