I'm not a doctor but I'm a medical device engineer that's spent the last 5 years of my life working on the next generation of tools for minimally invasive gastric bypass surgery. I've talked to a bunch of GI docs, patients and have even done some of the procedures myself on animals.
JG is absolutely right. It is a tool that makes it possible for many people to make a change. I've talked to a lot of people who tried hard for a long time to lose weight unsuccessfully but when they got the surgery it pushed them over the edge and they were able to do it. They did have to work hard at it though, no part of the process is easy.
I would recommend the surgery to many people because of the alternative: being Morbidly Obese shortens your life, it causes diabetes, it causes heart disease and even increases the risk of cancer. Compared to the risks associated with the surgeries, most people would live much longer lives with much higher quality of life after losing weight with the aid of the surgery.
As far as which one, I totally agree with Dr Hess. The lap band has a lot fewer complications associated with it.
Feel free to PM me if you have any technical questions.

