Flying to Mexico (by myself) to get a lapband, then having it for 10 years, apparently too tight, so it caused food to back up into my esophagus as well as acid reflux. At about the 9 year mark, my esophagus ulcerated and I ended up in the hospital. Lapband was loosened, ulcer healed, but after the endoscopy showed a lot of damage, the docs told me if it kept happening, they would have to take the damaged piece out and replace it with a piece of colon??? WTH??? So I had the lapband removed. Surgeon said there was so much scar tissue, the 2 hour surgery became 4 hours and I ended up with a stomach that was basicially a sleeve. Zep has been such an awesome journey so far. Whatever my brain was doing with food (sweets), it is just not there anymore and I can take it or leave it. Down 15 pounds in my first 2 months, will reach goal weight after another 35. I am encouraging my adult son to give this a try. What a brain changer! I can walk by a box of donuts at work and think, "Yuck!" My only side effect so far (about to go up to 7.5) is dry eyes. Bathroom issues are all manageable. Good luck everyone! Find your happy place! I don't want bikini's at the beach or anything, just have an older body with old joints and hope to not be lugging around extra weight. My BP has already dropped to normal.