Hi Good-Banders: Pretty Woman Here. I decided to have the lap band. I've been at this since 2005 scheduled for by-pass, went through all the hoops and jumps with Kaiser & UCLA, then had to change HMO's. While starting over - heard about LB and decided this may be safer. OH, Congrats to "goodbye lady". What in the world is a FILL?

HAS ANYONE NEVER HAD A FILL? IS MY BMI OF 54 BAD FOR SURGERY - LIKE COULD THEY DENY ME BECAUSE I'M TOO FAT??? yikes!! help a sista out here - I don't like surprises, that's why I'm joining you NOW!

Pretty Woman,

I am a little confused that you are soon to be banded and you don't even know what a fill is. It is possible for you not to get a fill but it depends upon your food intake. If you are able to consume more than a half a cup of food per meal in which it should be 3 meals a day then you may need a fill. A fill is Saline solution that is put into your port which will tighten your band that is around your stoma.

I was able to lose all my weight without a fill but not too many people are like that. I believe you need to do a bit more research. The bypass by far is the most dangerous of weight loss surgeries but I believe that the Lapband surgery even though they say you lose half the amount of weight than you do with the bypass, at least you do not lose vital nutrients.

You of course need to do what is best for you. Research a little more if necessary.

Josephine

You need to go to a seminar. That's a good spot to start. And I had a BMI of 67 when I started so I don't figure 54 is "wrong". You just need to sit through a seminar or two, and they'll get you started!