Hi,

I am 33 years old and live in Harrisburg, PA. I was banded April 3, 2009. Within 30 days I was down 22 pounds and over the next few months I lost about 10 more. Then about Oct of 09 I hit a wall. I started to crave more sweets like cookies, and cakes. Things I never really ate before my surgery. Now in the last 5 months I have not lost anything, I gained like 2 pounds back. I find that now when I eat if I get full after a few bits, I then start to spread that meal or whatever Im eating out over like an hour period till I done. I use to be excited about the band but now I am not because I can not seem to help the cravings and I try to eat anything I can. I want to get back on the right track, but need some suggestions and support on what I can try to do to get back on track how I was in the beginning... Thanks!!!

Hi,

I am 33 years old and live in Harrisburg, PA. I was banded April 3, 2009. Within 30 days I was down 22 pounds and over the next few months I lost about 10 more. Then about Oct of 09 I hit a wall. I started to crave more sweets like Cookies, and cakes. Things I never really ate before my surgery. Now in the last 5 months I have not lost anything, I gained like 2 pounds back. I find that now when I eat if I get full after a few bits, I then start to spread that meal or whatever Im eating out over like an hour period till I done. I use to be excited about the band but now I am not because I can not seem to help the cravings and I try to eat anything I can. I want to get back on the right track, but need some suggestions and support on what I can try to do to get back on track how I was in the beginning... Thanks!!!

Hey Trish: Welcome to the real world. You have figured out how to eat around the band. Now you have to figure out how to get back on track. For me, that has always been to return to square one - start writing down everything I eat and drink, use ultimate portion control- put only what you want yourself to eat on your plate. Set a timer for 20 - 30 minutes. When it rings, you are done. Get up and walk away. Use dense Protein and fibrous foods to help fill that "cavity" you are trying to fill (which is probably head hunger - you have figured out another way to sabotage your success), but the fact is that once you are "full to the brim" with dense protein (chicken, fish, meat - no sauces ) or fibrous foods (raw celery, carrots, broccoli, etc - no dips) you will physically not be able to eat any more for a period of time. It really sounds like a support group can help you. Is there one close to you? If so, please try to get there. You are welcome to email or PM me for any help at all. You may find some useful information in my blog entry about getting back on track (for me it was after the holidays). You can find it at:

Maintaining #001: December 26, 2009 or Making It Through My 6th year of Holidays After Lap Band® Surgery

Let me know if it helps and keep reaching out for support and ideas.

Thanks so much for the suggestion and support. I will check out the site.

By the way I just want to say you look great!!