I was banded at HCMC in July of 2008. Starting weight 288 pounds on a 5 ft 5 inch fram. I managed to get down to 236 with many difficulties in January 2009. I was went up and down for almost all of 2009 with the band being too tight and having fluid added and taken out. The last fill I had in November of 2009 was so tight I ended up in the ER. After a break i tried the fill again in December of 2009 with a next appointment date in January of 2009. I don't recall my weight at the time but I never went back,until Thursday of this past week. I am 261 pounds and feeling like such a failure. I am beginning to realize that I am truly a food addict and don't know if I will be back running to the Dr. saying "take fluid out". Any advice?

My advice to you is, willpower! You have to be able to tell yourself you want to loose your weight. You want to do this for yourself to make yourself happy and healthy. The band is a tool, and only you know if it really is too tight and not letting you eat anything. But, if its not tight enough then of course you're going to continue to eat. Make yourself stay away from pop, fatty foods, etc. It's hard, I know it is. But if you're wanting to do this for yourself, you have to learn to say NO and force yourself to be strong in this journey. Best of luck to you!!!