I am sure many of you will be able to relate to this....

2 months ago I got my band. I gave up diet coke and junk food, for a good portion of that time food all together, yay liquids Like a drug addict who thinks the dealers are their friends I am equally misplaceing my friendship with food. I have a wonderful husband and kids and a huge extended family and lots of friends for support, but still I miss food. As time goes on I know this will end. I used to drink diet coke to trick my head into thinking I was eating or splurging on something yummy but now I don't even have that crutch. All I have is my band preventing me from doing too much damage calorie wise. So here I am mourning the loss of my good friend the calorie fest of food. She was a close friend even though she encouraged me to do bad things like eat half a cake. I don't know why I miss her but, I got over missing ciggarettes eventually and so I will get over food and truly grasp that food is fuel not a reward or a hug, or a shoulder to cry on. 2 days ago I got my first fill and am at 4.5cc's in a 10cc band, I cannot eat very much anymore, I still need a little more restriction but this is definitely a good start so here I lay down my flowers on the grave of my old troublesome friend. No longer will she be able to influence me as before. Her memory may spur on a nostalgic mini bag of doritos or a milk shake but never again will I be able to eat even average amounts of food let alone large amounts.

So goodbye my friend, may you rest in peace

You may be losing a friend in food but you will be getting your life back and your family will appreciate you so much more. I felt like you did in the beginning but the rewards from my weight loss out weigh any feeling I have towards the loss of food. My husband and kids have benefited so much from my band. Iam a better mother a better wife and an all around happier person.

*tosses a couple of flowers on the grave*

I said goodbye to my friend as well. But ya know what? I still enjoy food! I mean really enjoy it. I don't suffer the shame, anger and guilt after eating that I once did. I don't feel miserably bloated, fat and ugly like I once did.

I come back past the grave of my old friend now and then, and the ghosts do call out to me. But now, I just walk on by holding the hands of my new friends... good health and happiness

I would like to talk to some of you guys onthe phone? I am having surgery on the 21st. Is that possible?

I just want to underline the connection you already made between giving up smoking and giving up the food addiction. I've been banded almost a year now, and it hasn't been a smooth progression, much like giving up smoking wasn't a smooth progression, either. However, as time goes by, it is easier and easier, and some of my worst habits are just old memories (like eating 3 or 4 bowls of cereal at a time....after dinner!). Have faith. It DOES get better. Remember to keep your patience with yourself...I think that is really important. Good luck! Cindy