Hi everyone. I am new here and I have been banded since September 2008. I love my band. I just hit 6 months and have lost around 70 lbs.

I love shopping for clothes now which I used to hate. It is wonderful to buy clothes tight and then watch as they start getting to big. I still have a long ways to go but I am well on my way.

The only problem I have had so far came after my last fill. I typically don't drink coffee or hot chocolate. I now have to drink hot chocolate every morning before I can eat anything in order to loosen the band up. If I don't I will have problems. I also stuggle with cold drinks in general so I am thirsty most of the time. I knew that would be a struggle because I have always been a big drinker. I used to drink 2-3 cups of Diet Dr Pepper with each meal, given up drinking with a meal was tough but giving up sodas was even harder. It was hard but not impossible, 6 months and I have not given in to my soft drink addiction!

Over all I have had a wonderful experience with my band and have no regrets so far.

The hot drink in the morning is normal. If you try jamba juice or starbucks it usually does down really easy for me...But I don't attempt solid food in the morning in general

What is your diet like i am 8 weeks post op. Did you ever hit a plateau?

I have been able to eat about anything I want, just in small portions. I did have problems with fries, about a month ago I gave in and tried to eat them but they made me sick. I have tired them twice now and I just can't keep them down.

So far I have continued to lose weight. I love going to the doctor for a fill because I have my best weight loss the week after my visit. At my last appoinment I had lost an additional 15 lbs which I was of course thrilled with.