Hello from San Diego! Just got banded three days ago and already am losing weight, though I know it's water weight at the start. Still in a bit of pain, but not bad. My surgeon cleared me today to start drinking "full" liquids, and I had some protein shakes that were quite a relief after being on clear liquids for a few days. I, too, look forward to getting off of the weight yo-yo and being able to maintain weight loss for a change.