Hi - I am Amy. I'm from the Toledo area - so not too far from you, I guess. I haven't done anything - but I'm ready to make an apt with a surgeon.
I'm probably like you in that I want to get banded as soon as possible. But - I suppose there is a reason for going thru everything that you do. I, honestly, want to go to a pschychiatrist anyway. If I have emotional eating issues - I want to address them. There wouldn't be a problem with my body if I did follow a diet. That's my problem. I always start one but fail within a week.
I know you probably don't want to hear this - as I'm sure I won't either - but we are probably going to have to be patient in this process. The band is a tool and I'm sure that before we do it they are going to want us to understand it and know how to live with it.
Good Luck to you!