Hi guys, this is my first thread. I was banded back in February and have had a number of personal issues, which have caused my band to be extremely tight thanks to stress.

I've only lost a stone and half so far which to be honest is good I feel a little bit of a failure. My band is a 10ml. So I'm hoping weight loss should start coming off. Can anyone offer me advice with this as the internet just provides generic answers and I'm grateful to all fellow genuine banded people.

Thank you xx

hi jclo ,

since February this year you have done great , I had my band done 23/11/12 and lost just over 3 stone since then , my weight has not shifted for several months now which is frustrating , stress has also played a part in my journey so far which I was not prepared for really but now understand to be quite common . 6.5ml is a fair amount in a 10ml band but remember we are all different and what works for you may not for someone else , some loose with no fill but I think that is unusual . I would look at your diet firstly , do you feel restriction ? when you eat ; I tend to have only a slimfast shake for b/fast as until lunchtime or beyond I often find eating food difficult , meat/ bread are a problem for me , as with many . Are you in the uk ? have you access to a dietitian where you had your surgery , if so it may be worth speaking to them and/or your surgeon for advice , you don't want to be too tight but if you don't have sufficient retriction for you more may need to be put in , feel free to keep in touch . best wishes , dream x

Stop beating yourself up!!! You're doing just fine considering you've had stress. Stress contributes to us holding on to weight.

For me, the less food is great, but I think the exercise plays a major role for me. It cuts my stress and motivates me to want to stay on the good food choices path. I feel strong and powerful and that carries me through the whole day. Plus it makes me want to get in all my Water.

Next, are you choosing too many sliders? How clean are you choices?

Lastly, time for a review of the 8 Golden rules. It really motivates me!

Be sure to follow up with us! We want to know what's working and what's not. GOOD LUCK!!!

The amount of saline in your band has little correlation with how effective it will be. Some need no saline and some may need all 10 CCs.

The band works by dimming your appetite but needs to be adjusted for this to happen. Eating fewer calories than you consume is how this works but you won't eat less until your band is adjusted so that you're in the green zone.

If you can feel satisfied with a small meal for 4+ hours you're probably in the green zone and the band can work it's magic. Good luck.