i was absolutly commited to this procedure but feel let down now. i know it,s only a tool and we have to work at it so i suppose i am the failure. but it makes me feel like an even bigger failure than i didi pre op. i have been doing very well for some time now dispite having to wait 14 weeks for my first fill(don,t ask!) anywhoo i am only human and have cheated and like my doc told me i a m a victim of my own biology so hey ho. but seriously i feel like s..t i am being very good or very bad and i know it,s all up to me but every tiime i am bad i am sooo hard on myself instead of what my nurse tells me to be is kind with myself as i am trying to break a lifetime of bad habits here and i have done well so far but with xmas coming i feel i am on a hiding to nothing and hate feeling like such a failure.:help:

Kat817: It's not hooey. You've expressed perfectly what I've been trying to do. Everyday I learn something new about how to live with the band, what I can and cannot eat, how to chew(!). I make good food choices, which includes an occasional cookie (but just one cookie). I'm losing about a pound a week and I'm going with that.

Lainee,

It's not necessarily up to the bands or the fill level to do this for you as you elude to in your message. In fact, after various fill levels I'm happiest at totally empty. I feel more in control of things and believe it or not, I'm healthier and more fit.

I'm 100% in agreement with Jaqui. The "all or nothing" mentality is partially to blame for where you are right now and the failure of diets the world over. As soon as someone thinks they've "cheated" or "fallen off the wagon", they give up. Part of a healthy lifestyle is to understand that you are human and you will make poor decisions once in a while. But a poor decision today can easily be remedied by making an about face and making a better decision the next time food is presented.

I'd recommend reading up on diet, nutrition and how the body reacts to a change in diet. Portion size is only a small factor in this. A small portion of Ben and Jerry's ice cream is still 300+ calories versus a large portion of other food. Watch for calorie dense foods, empty calories and liquid calories. Get active even if it's only walking or doing something very low impact. The key is to move. By moving, you burn off calories and improve your muscles (which burn more calories than fat).

Track what you're eating-you'll know exactly how many calories, fat grams, Protein grams you're taking in and you'll be a well informed bandster. FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal has free food logging, but programs can be purchased for your personal PC or even a hand-held device. I used a program for my hand-held and kept it in my purse so that I could log as the day went on. Whenever I feel myself getting "off track", I log again.

Good Luck and be patient with yourself. This is an individual journey. Try not to compare yourself to others (as hard as that may be).

Gang

Take the words of failure & cheating out of your vocabulary...

Replace them with fell off the band wagon & treats.

When you fall off you get up and dust your butt off and march on - and if you have a treat it's not a cheat - I agree with Jacqui and the all or nothing - It's not that one piece of cake that made you fat but the 2nd & 3rd on.

I will tell you all my humble opionion - you do have to work at this - you have to make a lifetime lifestyle change in your eating habits - you need to make healthy low fat low sugar food choices and you have to add exercise in to your life. If you continue your poor eating habits and don't exercise you are not going to lose weight - plan and simple

You can do this... Your life is at stake.... Food is our drug of choice and it's killing us.. Once you start eating healthy you will feel better and not crave those treat as often and once you see the scale moving down wards you will have additional motivation

If you have a treat - pay for it by increasing your exercise and reducing your calorie the next day.

I truely beleive in keeping a food diary and logging every bit of food that passes your lips - It will show you what you are eating - if you are eating too much or maybe even not enough.

You gotta quit the pitty parties and thinking this is too hard - You gotta step up and do the work - they banded your tummy - but not your head and the real problems lies there...