:welldone: i am new to the site. i had my surgery 8/7/06 at 247lbs. dr. kastranakis, salem ma. i have lost 50lbs to date. i am at a stall now. i amm eatin high calorie junk food instead of real food, i am turning over a new leaf today and am getting back on track. i have to put some effort into this or it was all for nothing. i am a major food addict-eat for comfort, in pain, in sadness-obsessed with food. the operation didn't cure my obsession, but did curve my ability to eat the ugly, massive amounts of food i used to. sorry for the ramble. this banding is the best thing i have ever done- i realize it is not a cure all and i have to put effort in- make lifestyle changes. my only complaint is no energy to exersize, but i had none before either. does anyone have suggestions for boosting my energy. like i said i am going to follow the proper diet now, just need to put the exersize in. good luck to all that are getting the band or have already got it.:cool: nikki