Susie,
I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on March 2, 2005. I had a BMI of 32 and weighted 185 on the day of surgery. Today March 30th I am 171!!! I was 170, but seem to have gained a pound since I started solids 7 days ago! As far as the hunger factor goes, I did pretty well during the liquids stage. I was rarely hungry and was satisfied with very little during that time. Needless to say I was thrilled with the 15 pound loss!!!!! I have been alittle frustrated this past week, because I started solids, have gained a pound, and feel like I could eat anything. When I study the portions that I am eating though, it really is much less than I was eating before. I am going to schedule my fill at the 6 week point and then I hope to feel some restriction. I'm sure that my swelling has gone completely down and I'm wide open in there!! Its weird though, although the scale has stopped moving, my clothes are feeling better and better. As far as the surgery, it was a great experience. Everyone was so nice and accomodating. I don't remember much about the day or the day after surgery, and the pain was very minimal. I never took pain medication after I left the hospital!! The scars look great, the only one you really even notice is the port scar and that's just a thin red line. I expect at 6 months to a year out you will barely notice them at all! Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll be happy to help. Also, go on lapbandtalk.com it's a great site for LOTS of info!!
Monica