MegaT

I just went to my first official visit with the gastric surgeon this past Wed. 2/24/10.  My doctor performed a gastric bypass on my brother-in-law one year ago and I am VERY comfortable with and confident in my Dr.; I went to the Dr. full on thinking that I wanted only Gastric Bypass but am now almost 99.9% sure I want Lapband (the Realize band).  I am a total newbie, and i mean total, to any of these websites (have never "talked in a forum or blogged before)  I have an extremely high BMI-55 (which is mortifying) but I feel that I am entering a new world with the choice I have made to go forth w/surgery; I am soo very excited.  the main reason I changed my mind to the lapband was b/c of this infamous 3yr. marker...apparently bypass patients tend to fall off the wagon at or by the 3rd year whereas lapband patients tend to thrive more so for life; this is a life changing decision I have made so I want this to be for life!I have been overweight since at least 4th grade, lost and gained my entire life and am at the absolute heaviest I have ever been.I have two wonderful children and a VERY supportive and loving husband.PLEASE, any info. you can share with me...I want the down and dirty of the pre-op and post-op and the (hopeful) success!