Hi I was banded 10/2010 with a start weight of 272, after a slow start I am now 149 and loving my new life. There were times that I truly wanted to give up, I would read how others were losing so much wt and I couldn't lose more than 35 and I was so upset with myself. But I was able to get past that and this year which I started at 227, ended up turning out pretty good. I buckled down and followed the food rules, and was able to kick start my weight loss.
So as motivation I can say that you will love the way you feel when you lose the weight, and the way you see yourself will change your life forever. Go for it, and you won't regret it.