I was banded on 7th Jan 2008 and due to pressures from pursuing two degrees at once and a pregnancy I was unable to use my tool successfully. Fortunately, I have restriction now. Few months back my surgeon discovered that due to the lower and upper part of my stomach touching during the pregnancy I developed an ulcer that allow food to find another route into the lower part of my stomach. It seemed to have been treated as I no longer have to take antacids everynight in order to sleep.

Initially I had lost 31lbs before pregnancy, then I gained all back plus 3! I didn't have to deal with gestational diabetes with this pregnancy as with the previous ones, so score one for the band. Over two years post-pregnancy and I did manage to lose it all again plus 15, so my band is still working ever so slightly in the background. So if ur good at math (I'm not!!!) that would mean I'm starting over 15lbs less than my original starting weight.

Since the 3rd Feb. 2012 I've been on all liquids. I definiitely have restriction cause I've not been able to do this ever before, not even right after surgery!! Plus I've decided that I'm taking time out for me now. Pregnancy over and degrees acquired, I'm more relaxed now so I have time to pause in a stressful situation and determine whether or not I'm really hungry.

I have set myself a personal challenge of losing 35lbs by the end of my first month of starting over. So far I'm down 15lbs which would make me 30lbs below my original starting weight. I've vowed not to put another morsel of food in my mouth until I'm at 300 or below. I can actually feel restriction when I'm drinking and I'm not able to drink more than 4oz at a time... so I know the restriction is waiting right there for me when I resume solids.

This time I know I can make it... (Toast) Here's to another 20lbs by 3/3/2012. Cheers! (with my protein shake ).