Ahhh, the misconception about the lap band. The band wasn't intended to make it easy. I look at it as an indicator for portion control. I know you have heard this before but the weight didn't come on right away so it isn't going off right away. I know several people who have had gastric bypass and I wouldn't do it for any reason. I don't want to be nutrient difficient, I don't want my parts rearranged. My friends at one point looked like they had chemo because they were so sick looking and their hair fell out. It was sad. It doesn't always work either. I know a few that gained the weight back. I prefer to be in control of my weight so I have that accomplishment.

My question would be is maybe you need a fill if you can eat that much in a sitting. I was just banded May 12 and I have no restriction and there are days that I can eat a lot and other days where I feel tight. I have set my mind that I am not going to let this get the better of me. If you have problems buying extras for the purpose of a later meal then maybe it isn't a good idea to buy extra. Keep that temptation away.

I don't compare myself to others weight loss either, that is a sure fire way to get depressed.

I know you can do it. Setting smaller goals seems easier for me. Keep up the good work!!

I am SO glad you had the courage to post this. I have had the same struggle - I'm at day 49 and my NET loss is about 10 pounds. My husband and I recently went to a conference in New Orleans and well, I found out that there's nothing about a lap band that keeps you from eating bread pudding...you get the point. The trip cost me five hard won pounds (which I'm hoping is at least partly water-weight). The bread pudding was FREE, you see - my husband found a bug crawling on the wall (which didn't really bother either of us - there a LOT of bugs in New Orleans...) but the restaurant manager just had to make it right by bringing out two ENORMOUS portions of authentic Louisiana bread pudding so it would have been highly impolite NOT to eat it...And you can't really justify a "doggie bag" when you're staying in a hotel. (I've had a LOT of years experience rationalizing stuff like this) - but of course it wasn't just the bread pudding. Since surgery I've been through all the iterations of clear liquids, full liquids, protein shakes, soft food (tough to do when you're trying to limit carbs) - and most recently have concluded that the nutritionist I see every couple weeks is a Nazi who doesn't have a CLUE what it means to have been on-off-on-off-on-off-on-off-off-off diets for several decades and how I react at a seriously GUT level when she says "I'd just love to see you adding in some fat free cottage cheese every day!" I have to say, though, that I'm still NOT interested in the roux-en-Y. I have just enough medical background to squirm when I think about what it does to your anatomy and physiology (not to mention a year's worth of listening to the woman in the next office who was about 5 years post RNY retching two or three times a day and having to use glucose tabs for her "dumping syndrome". SO ANYWAY - it's nice to meet you, K Hunt. I feel your pain. The reality is that we are going to have to change our little LIFE STYLE if we're going to lose weight. (I am mentally strangling my nutritionist-Nazi while I type this) My husband (who is a BAD enabler) and I ordered Nutrisystems on line as penance when we were in New Orleans and started it today. I've had fairly good luck with this in the past even though it's like eating MRE'S. (Meals-Ready-to-Eat for those who have never served in the Army or experienced a major natural disaster) SMALL MRE'S. I'll be rooting for you - don't get too bummed out. I figure we're all going to have to find our own way to do this. I'm going to try to keep my eye on the ball. I've also got my 22/24's still in my closet - they are looser but sounds like we're on the same trajectory. Wanna try to beat me to size 18???

I would love the challenge. A size 18 I would never have thought I could reach that. You sound alot like me when talking about the bread pudding, it is a soft food so it must be ok to eat it...right? I know, I know it just doesn't work that way. Thanks so much for the advice and letting me know how your life is going. If you have yahoo IM you can reach me at robertsgal68. Have a good one. Kelly