Hi Rhonda . . I was banded 7/15/10 . . so only 8 weeks into it. You sound so much like me with up and down weight and that was my deciding factor. I have said since the start that I don't care if the weight comes off slowly, just so it stays off. I have absolutely no regrets. I have lost 39 pounds - including the 10 pounds pre-op. This is an amazing tool. Don't get me wrong, I feel that I still have to work at what I'm doing, but as the weight started coming off, I feel so much better and have more energy. I haven't had the need for a fill yet, so I probably could eat bread and other things . .. I've read a lot of posts where people talk about bread or other foods getting stuck, so I chose to play it safe and not eat them. I have toast sometimes and do fine with that. I'm not hungry except when it's time to eat - that is the most amazing feeling and I think that's what helps me honestly say that I don't crave anything . . at all! I get filled up whet I eat, and I drink lots of water in between meals and I'm just not hungry - truly words I never thought I would say! Best wishes in your decision!

Ditto everything marw has said, the BEST thing I ever did. I was like you tried ALL the programs, nothing helped me keep it off after the program ended. Banded on 7-29-09 94 lbs down! Love the band.

PS I eat anything I want to, just a whole lot less of it!

Hi I have been banded for 8 months now. Averaging 5#s a month loss. I am like you, I like those food items. I still eat them but very little. I basically stick to the lapband diet, but every now and then hit the carbs, spaghetti. I do have toast with my eggs in the morning. The thing is to eat your limit, unitll you fill full--keeping in mind to fill up on protein items first. That's what I do. Before you commit yourself to the lapband procedure, I would like to suggest that you take the lapband diet and try it for a few weeks. If your weight comes off your in luck and just continue, and might I add at our expense-cause the lapband procedure is expensive. I would do liquids for a week, then mushies for a week- you may even want to do it for two week intervals, and start exercising 30 minutes a day. (walk) for a few miles. This way it won't be hard on your finances and you can see if you can adapt. Good Luck. Oh if you do choose the lapband procedure, it's a long term weight loss program not short term, so expect a year to a year and a half for true results. Other lapbander's are looking great after a year, so it depends on the individual. Hope this helps you.

Thanks so much for your feedback. It truly is helpful to me. I have another question... During the educational seminar I recently attended, the surgeon mentioned that they don't want you to drink anything while eating - only drink before your eat and then after you eat. I'm so used to taking a bite of my food and immediately following it with a sip of my drink to help wash it down. So, is that okay? Can you take a little sip to at least help the food go down? Or, is it an absolute "no" to drinking even a little bit? Thanks again!

Rhonda, yes your not suppose to drink fluids when eating, but I do some, sip, that is. I am like you I need something to help alittle. I now know my limits so if you being to drink, you will also find out what you can tolerate, that is how much you can drink. (Use the word sip, like one small mouth full and swallow slowly. It's been working for me, but I do try not to drink anything some of the time. Control is the Key. Hope this helps. Drinking water washes the food through the passage. The longer the food stays there in your upper stomach, the longer you will feel no hunger. Feeling full is the way one should feel like.