Hi Aly:
I'm Lori, will also be getting banded on July 5th. I'm turning 50 this year, and have also lost and regained lots of weight in my time. Congratulations on taking this big step to make sure you have a very healthy life. I'm battling high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea and now diabetese - wish I did the surgery many years ago, but I can't change that now.
Hopefully you and your Mum will be able to help each other. I have a few friends at work who've had either Lap Band or Bypass surgery already and it's much easier to talk with them about process and my fears 'cause they really understand what we're up against.
Good luck!!
Lori (a.k.a. Harvest Farmer)