I have been having a REALLY hard time too! Old habits are hard to break. Over the weekend, I went to a birthday party. I didn't eat anything there but used that as an excuse to have bites later. Tomorrow it will be 2 weeks post op and I have already been eating soft foods. I have found I can eat just about anything. I have got to stop taking bites here and there. I am upset with myself but we will just have to kick ourselves out of it. Next week I am going to a rehearsal dinner and wedding! It is hard to watch people eat. My own family orders takeout, makes pancakes, etc. I feel like a recluse that comes and gets on the internet while they eat.

HI,, this is very normal.. Once you get a few fills and have some restriction in your band, things will be easier to pass up and stay on track, because when you eat, it'll be a small amount and you'll be full for a few hours. just hang in there, your doing fine, your n "bandster hell " right now, time before fills, you'll survive it, we all been there, well, you took a bite of this or that, i bet in the past you would of eaten the whole thing and then some. so be proud of just a couple bites of things, it a step in the right direction, we cant change so fast, it's a process.. small steps lead to big accomplicaments!

Just don't get into a routine where you cheat all the time. Make it a once in a while. I am 9 months out and still have my cheat days. After I had surgery it was the hardest for me too. I just wanted to eat what I wanted and didn't think twice about it. I didn't lose for 6 months because of this thinking. I didn't really know enough about the surgery to know I was eating too much. I thought if I cut down on portions no matter what I ate I would lose. Good luck with that one. You will do just fine and making it to day 10 is an accomplishment in itself. You should be proud of that.

Ok, I am almost at my one year mark lost over 100 pounds. What I have found is I have "disordered eating" I can only speak for myself. I have food problems, issues with food, and food plays head games with me 24-7. AA does have a workable philosophy so does OA and I do use the philosophy although I do not go to any meetings. For some it becomes a way of life. My band tool is my way of life now. Oh and if you cheat the only one you hurt is yourself. I gave this tool to myself as a last ditch effort to save my life from my own self destruction. I try everyday to make the best possible choices with food. I sure can eat anything I want even after many fills and un-fills. Today I make better and more healthier food choices. Try to Forgive yourself and move to the next level of this game of life. Best wishes imaluckydog

Thanks so much for reading and then writing. Its encouraging to hear everyone's take, and everyone else's struggles too.

asteenho, please share this blog with our June bugs, we are all at or near this stage and these comments from "veterens" will help us, it did me!

May bandsters are there too, or maybe its just that I was banded 5/26 which is almost June? Its hard to stay strong at the beginning, which is why I think they call it bandster hell? Too hungry and easy to eat too much, loving the success of the post-surgical weight loss, afraid to see a scale go the other way..........

I feel like, even being almost 4 weeks post op, that it is still a daily (almost hourly sometimes) challenge. I put one foot in front of the other, try to stop beating myself up over straying when I stray, and continuously trying to focus on the positive.

I get so much out of this website -- the blogs and the forums -- that I use in many ways. Keep going, keep smiling and picture the end -- you achieving your goal, being healthy and making choices in everything you do to make you happy, healthy and live a longer life :-)

I'm just glad to hear that things get better after the first fill. Because I don't feel any restriction now either. I have caught myself drinking really quickly and have to stop myself. But I have had no problem keeping anything down. I have even had tuna and some bits of soft chicken. Granted I am making sure everything is chewed up really well, but I feel like there is no restriction for me. Hopefully I will feel more full fast once I get a fill in 3 weeks or so.

thanks everyone! I don't know to share it ssmom? Just tell people to come view my blog?

I love all the feedback this website helps provide.