I appreciate it - but I cannot switch out my device, I am a government worker and the current administration is killing us, my insurance is crap now and my pay sucks even worse - even if I could switch my band, I would not. My band is not permanent. I could have it out tomorrow if I wanted. I am looking for help and advice on a healthy diet. I am sorry it has been a nightmare for you. Mine saved my life, I would be on one of those TV shows where people are getting cut out of their houses without it. I realize surgery does not fix the problem, it is a tool, and I oversimplified my issue. I started on the sliders because of family pressure and the fact that I had never had much exposure to good(terrible for you) foods and when I found them I went all in. I grew up pretty poor with parents that believed in education - but did not venture past hamburger helper. So I grew up with horrible habits.
I cannot sit down and eat an entire sausage biscuit at McDonald's like I did before, in fact, I used to eat 3 or 4. The tool allows me to eat less, but alas, I found sliders. My band has never given me problems, I am the problem.
This is why I am asking for help. I need foods I can eat that are healthy and work with a CrossFit lifestyle. I plan on being active the rest of my life - yes exercise does not really make a huge difference in the weight loss area - its caloric restriction that is key - but I want a strong body and a better diet.
So any meal suggestions are most welcome as well as habits so I can use my tool to the best of my advantage. If it helps I am a 34-year-old male.
Also - I was in prime health in 2011, before my mom got sick and I had to take care of her. I was in Tae Kwon do, earned my second-degree black belt, and was very muscular, I would say an athlete overall. However I broke my hand and foot in a match, and that is when the pressure to eat more came on...and I slid right into it.
So in the end, I hope your journey is better with your new tool. I need to take some control back in my life.