Hello to the new member, I know what you need to know before you have lap band surgery, maybe you already know. Are you from here, in San Antonio Tx? If so You need to go see Dr. Gerald Carcamo. He was my surgeon. I had the lap band 3 years ago. But i am struggling. I have been staying between 200 and 215lbs. I weighed at 255 when i started. The hospital is name NIX. I know a few things you have to have in order to have surgery, 1. is you have to be 100lbs overweight. 2. borderline to diabetes i think, I am sorry i do not remember the rest. See i was borderline to that. I am 51 now. I was on other diets for years, The only thing i regret having it is when you eat you can not eat normal bites, and it is hard to remember to eat slow, hope idid not scare you. My email address is Number_1_catlover@hotmail.com if you would like to talk, A. Harpe