I was banded in March, and quickly lost 30 pounds. That's it. I can't get back on the program. I don't feel any restriction.

I had one fill, when I had lost the 30. That's when I started eating badly.

I weighted 250, now just under 220.

Help!

Merg, have you thought about another fill? If the first one doesn't work, get another. My husband was banded in October and has had four fills. It really wasn't until the latest one that I have noticed his food intake has really gone down drastically. Before that he was eating less, but now his band is making him really sit up and take notice that he is eating too fast or too much.

You've probably seen how we keep saying the band is a tool and doesn't do it all for you. I still know I have to watch what I eat, while the band will then do its job and take care of how much I eat. If I don't make the right food choice first, the band has nothing to work with. I still want to eat constantly regardless of hunger, but I won't buy the irresistable foods and sometimes I even consciously snack on something I know won't go down easily so the band can do its thing and stop me from eating anything else.

So I think you might want to look at two things: another fill, and some self-examination of what your poor eating habits are and then some thought about what you can do about it. Leave the emotion and self-recrimination at the door, because the purpose here isn't to beat yourself up over it; it's to determine what you need to do to change your habits. Do you shop for food when you are hungry? make sure you eat first and are very full, and then you won't be so tempted. Do you crave ice cream and Cookies? Buy a single scoop ice cream cone, eat it and get on with your life, rather than a couple half-gallons that will call your name until they are gone. As someone once said, "Know thyself." Figure out where you are going wrong, then brainstorm ways to change the behavior.