Congratulations! I'm 26 and I was banded on Aug 7. On the day of my surgery I weighed 202 lbs, I am on the lower end of candidacy. I was not put on a pre-op diet or anything like that. I too have tried sooo many diets that resulted in failure. I know how discouraging it is. The most I ever lost on a diet was 18 lbs, it took me two months I was eating nothing and worked out 5 days per week. Despite this weight loss, I learned that I have a horrible relationship with food, I was living to eat not living to eat. Eventually I gained the 18lbs back plus some. To stop this vicious cycle i knew i had to do something drastic. For me the decision to get the lap band was the best one i have ever made. The band literally gave me the will power that i never had before. I was so scared to vomit or get sick that i only put things in my mouth that were specifically allowed by my surgeon. I feel that this in some way reprogrammed me. After a week the cravings went away and I didnt wake up thinking about all of the food I want to eat. I know I couldn't continue eating the way I was because I was getting bigger and bigger each year. I don't think you should fear that you might not be able to eat normally anymore because our "normal eating" isn't normal. We need to change our relationship with food and remember that skiny people eat they dont starve. Its okay to indulge once in a while but be sure to stay focused and on track. I wish you the best of luck on your journey, I know it will be a sucessful one this time.