I began back in Jan of this year and had planned to do the LAP-BAND® since I had seen my daughter lose over 100 pounds in the last year. I was rolling along with the requirements just fine then I was stopped! I had a bad EKG reading and that caused me to be sent to a Cardiologists where I was given a Chemical Nuclear Stress test which I passed but the Doc saw what he felt was a blockage in the heart. I was then, a few weeks later sent in for a Cardio Cath where I was finally discovered to be clear, clean, and Green (ready to have the LAP-BAND® scheduled). When I called my LAP-BAND® Doc's office I was put back again another 30 days cuz of scheduling availability. Well, on 1 Jun 2010, I finally had my date and now I'm on the way to a completely new life. I began at 309. I was two days ago at 297. I some how crept back up to 300 and not sure how since I'm on a 3 week liquid diet and I have not cheated once. I feel overall better, I just went to breakfast with a friend and he had a salad and I had tea and chicken broth soup. The best thing was it only been 8 days nowand I fit into the booth at the resturant. My face and belly have lost visible weight. One of the best things of all (sounds somewhat gross but true), is I can now reach to wipe my butt without stretching and straining. It is just amazing to me. I will have my first appt and possibly band fill on 24 Jun and I'm looking forward to the end of the 3 weeks of this liquid diet. Everyday is a learning event for me about eating better, exercise, doing the things I need to do to live longer and healthy. Oh, I'm also hypertensive and type II diabetic. My doc stopped my diabetes pills on surgery day and I hang around 104 - 120 now even without the pills. Hopefully I can totally eliminate the pills in the future. **Bare with me as I'm somewhat confused on how to work this web site but I will learn. Thanks for reading my thread. Bruce Turner