I have been banded for just over a year now. I have learned so much about myself and my body since that time. I have become more patient, tolerant and thankful for every victory and weight lost during this journey. I understand that each individual's experience is unique and takes different amounts of time to become accustomed to the band and learn to use this tool in the way that works for you.

food, on the other hand...well, let's just say that I am still learning. I still struggle with choosing the most nutritious and healthy food that I should put into my body. For some reason, since I have this tool, my mind thinks it's ok for me to have food that I would have never been able to "control" before my band was in place. This has given me freedom in a way, but it is not necessarily a good "freedom". I continue to lose weight consistently, but I really feel that I need to make better eating/drinking choices.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions? Anyone else having this problem?

Try finding healthier variations of those foods that you love. For example, I make a healthy version of mac and cheese. It is made with whole grain pasta, light laughing cow wedges and frozen broccoli and cheese. It is low in calories, fat, etc and high in nutrition. Perhaps, you won't feel like you are missing out on those favorite things and will be eating healthier. Also, are you getting in any exercise?

Thanks for the advice! Yes, I am a fitness fanatic and exercise hard every day - sometimes twice a day, so activity does help with my "splurges."

I think a lot of the food struggle comes from years of not being able to control myself when it came to eating "bad" food, so I would just avoid it or end up bingeing on it.

I am going on 4 years out and my experience is different. I eat what I want but just a small portion like a tablespoonful it staisfies that poor me thingy. I have become a complete grazer I look at everything and only eat what really rings my bells. I was at a pot luck last night and a friend had made this really yummy broccoli salad that looked so good and fresh and thats what I ate with a dab of a few other things . and a one inch piece of brownie that I cut off the huge brownie.

Washed down with a cold glass of wine.

It has been my experience when I say of I can't have that I get cranky . But if I permit myself to have a small portion of what looks oh so good I can handle that. Afterwards no guilt because didn't stuff myself I had a taste and in the long run it is just FOOD it is not my friend and I have stopped making it my enemy. For me I pick what I like eat a small portion enjoy it and go on with the rest of my life.