I had surgery 9-28-09, I was 270 lbs, 240 surgery date, and 226 today. My surgery without any major complications. Had it and went home the same day, was back at work in 2 days after that. No one knows about me having surgery but my family. My mother had the band placed in Mexico and lost 140 lbs in a year and 1/2. So I thought you just get the band and eat what you want and still lose, that is what she did. So that is what I did. I would eat what I wanted, how much I wanted, and when I wanted. There was no reason for what I was doing, I just wasn't educated on how the band works like I should have been. So I bought some books on weight loss surgery and life after and had a breakthrought. March came, I gained 4 lbs and figured the fills weren't working something has to change. I go to the dietician and she tells me how to eat and the amounts to eat. Boy was I eating too much and all the wrong foods. I decide that day to change my ways. I lost 10 lbs the first month and 5 lbs last month so I know the changes have been working. I sometimes go out on a limb and eat too much or too high of fat foods, like nuts...I love nuts. It is like I am fighting my worse enemy everyday (food). I wake up every morning have my 6 cups of coffee and take my pills. Then have a protein shake or something like cottage cheese or boiled shrimp for breakfast. This gets me to lunch. I eat my protein or drink my shake and that gets me to dinner so I know the band is working. Dinner is my worst time ever. It is so hard not to just start eating and grazing all night. I just don't feel like the band is working to it's full potential. I go for fills every month and was supposed to be at 9cc's in a 10cc band. The doctor pulled out 7 cc's. What a disappointment that was. Well that is a little about me and my story of getting the band. I will keep you updated.