I have been looking into the lap band for a long time and see lots of peoples personal stories early on in their journey, then they kind of wean themselves from their support groups to sit back and watch the rest of us going through this journey. Does anyone know of any studies or web sites that discuss the long term success of people with the lap band? I understand it will only work as well as the person sticks to their routine.

My doctors office said to expect to be off work for 1 to 2 weeks. Is it insane to think I could have the surgery late in the week and go back to a desk job on Monday if only for a half day if thats all I can take? We dont get sick time at my job so I am trying to prepare them for how long I will need to be out.

Welcome Ragdoll! This is a great site to come to for information and advice, I've found most of my information here (beyond what the surgeon's office has told me), by that I mean the practical, how to live with it information.

Here's some threads about time off work:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=31539

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=31467

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=24060

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=27726

Here's some threads about long term success:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=26123

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16051

There are a few studies that are fairly recent that show the rate of weight loss about five years out is nearly the same between RNY and the band. That tells me that the RNYers are gaining theirs back at that point, and the bandsters are pretty stable. I'd much rather lose a bit slower and not have my intestines cut and parts removed.

Again welcome!