I'm glad that you're concerned. The mortality rate of that procedure is 1%. That is, one out of a hundred die on the operating table. It doesn't include the twenty-something percent who have severe complications and need additional surgeries afterward. It doesn't include the many who have lifelong health problems afterward. Even so, 1% mortality is alarming and unacceptable.

And it doesn't even always work. I've known a couple people who've had it and are still obese. I've heard of many more on TV and in articles.

I looked into it about twenty years ago when I could have had it covered 100% by medical insurance (I'm sure surgical techniques have improved since then). I spoke to the surgeon and asked why it works. He explained that it works because you eat less. I asked if you eat less because you are less hungry. He said, no, you aren't less hungry, you have to eat less because you will rupture your stomach if you overeat. I asked, you mean it works because you live in fear that if you eat too much you might rip your stomach open and die? He said yes. I left and never went back.

Here's another thread on the subject:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...&threadid=39866

Here are lots of LC success stories:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=86

I hope you are successful in convincing your friend to reconsider.