I used phentermine prior to the lap band surgery and I lost about 25 lbs only to gain 75 when I stopped taking the pills. These pills seemed to cause a chemical inbalance. While I was on the pills I did not feel hungry at all. However, when I stopped taking the pills I could eat up everything in the house.
I had the lap band in 02/2006 and I have lost 115 lbs since then. The lap band is a great tool to aid in weightloss.