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Hi, You have to be realistic and patient. I gave myself a year to get to target and came in just under that. I also found the journey very enjoyable, with NSVs littered along the way to keep me motivated. Sure, sometimes I just had to grind it out when it came to exercise, but it's a price worth paying. Stay positive, look for the good aspects of your great weight loss so far and just go for it!

That's a bizarre state of affairs. Sure, losing weight has a cosmetic factor, but it is surely outweighed by the general health benefits and preventative aspects. Katie, try the Reductil. I did and it did nothing for me. But, I had to be seen as trying it before surgery was an option.

Hi Vickie, Thanks for your post. You have made a great start to your weight loss journey. You should feel more restriction after your fill - good luck with that. I've only had one fill and that was about five months after the first operation. I needed a second operation as my port and tubing were faulty and needed replacement. As for what I eat, I have a pretty set regime. Always eat breakfast, which is either oats or muesli. That is never missed. lunch is usually soup of some type. dinner is what everyone else eats, just a lot less of it. I don't eat bread, fried foods, sweets etc. I also don't drink fizzy drinks at all, just tea, coffee, Water and sugar free squash. I eat bananas and apples after lunch and dinner. I really never feel hungry. I used to eat mountains of food, but now it's Portion Control and I'm used to it. I don't really calorie count, but I suspect I come in at around 1500 a day. I also exercise every day - conditioning for about 15 minutes and then cardio - cycling or exercise bike - for about an hour. You should do well with your gym and trainer. I really love the exercise. I'm sure that your journey will be a good one, just be patient and continue to work at it. Stay positive, even during those difficult days when the weight refuses to budge. You can do this!!

Hi Sherry, Sorry to hear that you have had problems with your band. The reason I had a second operation was that when Fluid that was injected into my band at the first fill went into my chest cavity as the tube and port were faulty. I had a new tube and port fitted and all was well again. I had the operation on our NHS, which means that it was free at the point of delivery, paid for in our taxes. Why do you feel hungry? Is that head hunger? Are you eating Breakfast? My routine is breakfast, usually oats or muesli, then lunch, usually Soup. The main meal is the same as everyone else, just less of it. I eat plenty of fruit. No supper. I also drink lots of Water and sugar free squash, no fizzy drinks. What I do eat is quality food, no rubbish. For me the most important factors are breakfast and Portion Control. I never feel hungry. I have a 10ml band which is filled to 5.5ml. I also exercise every day. Usually that is a bit of conditioning work and about 45 minutes of cardio (cycling). I love the exercise. I'm sure the weight will start to move again for you. Try to stay positive and enjoy the process.

That's really great. Many congratulations for your tremendous achievement. I don't remember doing anything remarkable when I passed the 100 mark - just got a big hug from my wife, that was all I wanted. I'm now at 130 pounds lost and feeling great. Really well done.

Ally, Good luck for Friday, I'm sure everything will be OK for you. Because I had sleep apneoa, I had to stay in hospital for two nights for my first operation. I stayed in overnight for my second. I think Derby likes to keep you in at least overnight to monitor your post op progress. To be honest with you, I'd sooner have that than come home the same day. You are about to start a wonderful journey and it's natural to be nervous - I certainly was. It's also exciting. Let us know how you get on and we'll be think of you on Friday.

Hello all, I'm Steve and live in Nottinghamshire UK. I had my band fitted in November 2007 in Derby, and had to have a second operation to correct the port and tube in May 2008. My operations were by the NHS. I was 303 pounds (138 kgs, 21.7 stones) at the beginning of my journey, and now I'm at 173 pounds (79 kgs, 12.4 stones). I reached my target weight on 24 Septemebr 2008. I'd now like to lose a little more weight, maybe to get to 161 pounds. My BMI was 41.2, now it's 23.6. I was a music teacher, then worked for an international computer software company (don't let that put you off!). I'm now retired and spend my time reading, computing, cycling and around the house. I like to travel when I can. I'm married to Denise (nearly 30 years) and have a daughter Jennifer who is 23. I also have nine cats (utter madness). If you feel that I might be of help to you, please go ahead and make contact. I think I'm a very patient man with a good sense of humour. I've had both good (lots) and bad (one) experiences with the band. It has helped change my life. I've had a lot of support from my family and health professionals, which I've found essential for my success. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I reached my goal weight on September 24th, 47 weeks since pre-op. I've set myself a new goal, just for the fun of it, to get to around 160-162 pounds. No big deal, just want to see if I can do it. Congratulations to everyone who has made their goal weight. I have a great sense of achievement now, although on the day I made goal I had a sense of anti-climax.

That's brilliant - well done. You have to feel proud of that!

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Didn't know Pepsi Max is sugar free - my mistake. Steve, not to be drunk if fuzzy. Thanks Vixon.

Good luck with your operation Maranda. You are about to take a giant step towards the new you and it's an exciting, positive time. Thinking of you tomorrow.

Yes, but slowly. I wouldn't take the Pepsi. You are about losing weight, so why drink Pepsi? Water and sugar free squash are good.

Shanna and Sil, I wish you both success on your exciting weight loss paths. Enjoy it, get excited about your new lives and Celebrate the new you. Good luck.

Hi there, I'm not an expert, but I do have some ideas. Make sure that the smaller amounts of food are of a higher quality. Fruit, vegetables, Protein and a small amount of carbs are my mainstay. Eat Breakfast. I have oats or muesli (sp?). Never miss it. If you must eat between meals, have a banana (not the fully ripe ones, they are full of sugar) or an apple. Don't have a meal last thing at night. Drink lots of Water. Hope that helps.

You really are about to start the journey of a lifetime, so be excited about it! You have done really well to lose the weight so far. As for Pepsi, can't help there. Go one day without it, then turn that into two.... it's only pop. Stay positive and go for it. Good luck with your operation and weight loss to come.

Well done and good luck with the rest of your weight loss journey.

Brilliant. Well done - the weight loss journey can be so exciting - who knows what you can accomplish! Just go for it!

Hi Vickie, Welcome to the bandster club! You've begun a really exciting journey which will transform your life. Good luck with it. Please give yourself a reasonable time scale in which to lose the weight. I gave myself a year to get to target. Eat Breakfast - for me the most important meal of the day. Build in some cardio and conditioning exercises when you have the all clear to do so. Above all, enjoy the experience of weight loss. Try to stay positive when you have a plateau, take the love and support of your family and friends and try to balance weight loss with the other important things in your life. It's easy to become obsessed with weight loss to the detriment of other things. You will find experienced and supportive people on this forum. I found them essential reading when I needed support and answers. So well done for your operation and it's time now to look forward to an exciting and better future.

I suggest you telephone Manchester Royal Infirmary on 0161 276 1234. Can't help you with other fill doctors I'm afraid.

I'm very positive about the band, because it made me review how, what and why I ate. I've made so many changes since banding and I can't imagine going back to how I once was. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Well done. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I haven't had any bread since November 2007, so now I've reached target I might, might try it again. I haven't missed it at all. Saw a loaf in Lidl yesterday for £1.54!!! That may be the going rate for all I know. Good reason to give it up. We've saved a fortune while I've been banded.

You have to take responsibility for your eating. How is that bread and the other problem foods getting into your mouth? If you have another fill, will that stop you eating bread? You eat problem foods because you want to. You have done really well so far with your weight loss. You perhaps need to re-focus and remember the way you lost the weight. We all have problems staying on track, so stay strong and positive.

Thank you all so much for your kind comments. Really I mean it when I say that if I can lose the weight, so can you. Be patient, enjoy the NSVs as they come along and believe in yourself. To those people who are yet to start their journey, you are about to begin an amazing time. Accept the love and support from your family and friends and take pride in your achievements. Enjoy the exercise you can do - I've loved mine - and get ready to learn new ways of eating and living. It seems strange to admit that at my age I've learnt to eat again - this time correctly - but the last few months have radically changed me, not just in a physical sense. Good luck to you all and thanks again.

I have now reached my target weight, 47 weeks since pre-op. I have a sense of anti-climax, but overall I'm really pleased. Share some before and afters with you. A big thanks for all your support on this forum.