Hi Dana, I'm pre-surgery also. I've been reading some really good books. You might check out 'before and after' by susan leach and also 'the real skinny on weight loss surgery' by julie janeway & karen sparks. the latter book spells out info very clearly (and humorous too btw!). they are both pretty easy reads.
To answer your question, from what i understand, you can still eat nearly everything (after a period of time) you could before. The band restricts the amount of food (for awhile anyway), not really the type/quality/kinds of food you can eat. From what I'm learning, to utilize this tool successfully and for the longhaul (like the rest of my life!), you have to make lifestyle changes forever. Yes, you can have a bite or 2 of stuff, but just b/c ice cream will go down, doesn't mean you should eat it everyday.
I understand this is just a tool, you still have to have control over what you eat. Just my thoughts and from what i've read so far.
- Joni