You are asking the perfect question? I have been banded for 7 months. I have lost 39 lbs. I have also been at the same weight loss for months. Yes it is a tool. But I wish someone told me the down side of the band before hand. A lot of food just does not go down & you wind up throwing it back up. The part that I really don't like is I can eat cake, ice cream all kinds of junk & no problems. The sugar dissolves & goes right down, When I want to eat healthy I have a problem. Chicken only goes down with lots of gravy!! Veggies get stuck sometimes no matter how much I chew. I can eat salad if I have lots of dressing. Even light dressing adds up in calories. I have asked many people that have been very successful with the band, "What do they eat?" and have been so successful. One thing they all have in common is they don't really eat a lot. They do more drinking. They drink there coffee, have a protein shake, maybe some soup for lunch & about the same for dinner. I was under the assumption that I would be eating healthy. Yes protein first but I could get some other foods down. They made it sound as if I would just be so full that I wouldn't be able to eat anymore. NOT the situation. I can eat a bunch but it just doesn't go down. Previously I lost 100 lbs on weight watchers, Of course I gained it back or I would of never considered this option. But with ww you eat healthy & there is no vomiting. It still is all about choices and a good mind set. Obviously we all didn't get to be heavy with great mind sets.
I know it is a very hard decision & the decision must be yours but yes know all the facts.
Good Luck.
Vicki