So, without being long winded I was banded 5 years ago last month. I love my band but I don't always respect it. I started at 242 lbs and got down to 198 lbs about 18 months ago but am back up to 207 lbs this morning. I haven't had a fill in about 2 years and am wanting to get back on the horse and get down to 185 lbs. I don't have any questions, I don't have many comments but I will say that this forum has re-motivated me to get going again and get to where I wanted to be a long time ago. I've scheduled a fill for next week and am so looking forward to be "tight" again. My main reason for writing this is accountability as well as appreciation to everyone who posts on here as it is great to read the struggles and successes. Thanks again and I look forward to reading more.

Good luck....this is a lifelong challenge isn't it!!!!

I think it's great you've come back here. I find that participating on the forums really helps me feel motivated and accountable. Not that I am always perfect, by ANY stretch, but I think I would be far worse if I lost touch with these forums. Being active here helps keep my WLS and goals at the top of my mind more of the time.

Welcome back and good luck. Hate to be a Debbie Downer but I was in the same boat as you. I was banded about 5 years ago and did great for 18 to 24 months and then fell off the wagon. When I went back to get started again I found out I had a leak in the tubing and it would require another procedure to fix it. Hope you have a better outcome then me. I guess it is not that uncommon for a leak to develop in the tubing.

Welcome back!! Great first step! Reading various BP posts helps keep me focused and on track. I agree with @JamieLogical. I hope you will find the same strength and motivation!

you took the first step. great. just being on here helps motivate me too. good luck!

Congratulations. Yes, respect the band. Otherwise you might become a candidate for revision surgery and/or have to convert to something like the sleeve. As far as some doctors maybe concerned if you cannot control yourself with the band, you will probably end up hurting yourself with the sleeve. It is not that you can't get a surgeon to do it, but they do worry that you might ruin there low leak stats. Between family and friends, I see so much food cheating going on it is like a sad remake of the movie 'Fatso.' Biggest culprit is sugar and wheat. Which I can relate to since I am addicted to the stuff. So good luck.