I had my surgery last Friday, August 8 and am thrilled to say that I made it through with flying colors!  The experience is everything that all of you lapbanders said it would be.  I do have some pain, but nothing I can't deal with.  I'm having some trouble with the gas in and around my back and ribcage, but I guess that will disappear in time.  I do have a question for you experienced ones:  Can drinking too much (broth, coffee, watered-down juice, ect) at one sitting make the lap band slip?  My stomach keeps growling and I've been downing a lot of liquids.  I'm a little worried since Dr. Ortiz now doesn't stitch the lap band in place anymore.  I want to give this the best possible chance to be successful. 
thanks for all your support!!