Hi to all on the board! I was banded 2 years ago on March 31 by Dr. Malley. That time has flown by! I did well in the beginning but now, um, not so much. It is very easy (too easy sometimes) to eat around my band. I am sad to say that because of my terrible eating habits and not using the band as a tool, I have started to gain back the weight I did lose.

Last week I started going to a nutritionist. I have set up several appointments with her to try to teach me HOW to eat and deal with the emotions involved. I have not done very well this week since my first appointment. I also have set up a fill appointment with Dr. Malley. In all fairness, I had major back surgery 3 mo. ago and the exercise portion of my lifestyle was put on hold. However, I can only use that excuse for so long! That time is up and I have to start physical therapy in April.

Anyone that is new to banding or getting ready to be banded, my advice to you would be this...You CAN do it!
- It will not be easy!
- YOU have to do the work.
- Take your time with healing, food, and emotion.
- Have a support system (other than food)!
- Last, but not least, nothing ever tastes as good as thin/healthy feels! (I'm still working on that one..lol)

Hopefully this board will get going again!

Hi Laura,
I was banded on March 16, 2011. I have done well so far, except for some pain in the area of my port site.
I have returned to soft/solid food. No fill yet and I am hungry.
Currently hunger is my biggest problem. I think I am ready for a fill before I gain back the 20 lbs I lost in preparation.
I am trying hard to make this thing work.
Keep in touch, please.
Kathleen

Congrats on joining the band land!!! Remember this first part is all about healing so stick to the plan. Congrats on the first -20!!! Keep that mindset and you will do great!

I just signed on to this forum in the hopes that I can find some answers from people who are also "banded". I had my surgery on March 24 2011. My experience post surgery was great UNTIL my first fill. It has only been 40 hours since my first fill. I am drinking Ensure no problem. I ate (as allowed) some soft mac and cheese . Which is something I never ate prior to surgery. Any way after swallowing one well chewed small bite it hurt like hell for about 10 minutes. That was this morning. Yesterday I tried one bite of an egg white, same thing.Is this normal?? I do not feel like I need to throw up and the pain does go away after some walking around. Have any of you taken the nutrition class Malley offers as a post operative tool? I am afraid of malnutrition. I may just be freaking out for no reason. HELP.....

Hi Laura,

I'm also trying to get back on track. I was banded February 9, 2010 and only lost 50. It's my fault, I knew I could bend the band rules so I could eat what I wanted and still enjoy all the problem foods that got me in trouble to begin with. I stopped getting fills after 8 months and have been afraid to go back in Dr. Malley's office knowing that I would have to admit for my actions. I just don't want to feel that regret and disappointment and feeling like a failure. I'm slowly getting back to the positive "don't give up" mentality that I had before but it's hard.

Have you gone to that Reboot classes? Are they still having those?