Honey, I am 3 1/2 months out and I have lost 40 lbs...I am not dieting at all. I'm like you...if we were good at dieting, we wouldn't have had to have the band! I think the feeling of depriving yourself is worse than having the food. I eat what I want, just way less of it, and I am more conscious of what I eat. I have the "want to" to eat healthier foods now. As you lose weight, you get more motivated. The way I see it, the band is your tool. USE it. Diets don't work, most of the time, in my opinion. Just work hard to make healthier choices, but don't diet, in my opinion.
I may get blasted for this post, but I consider 40 lbs in 3 months to be fairly successful.
Shan