I have had lap band since December, what I notice is I eat a lot of the same foods as before, just smaller portions. And I do avoid the avoidables like bread, Pasta, etc. But I eat candy, and nachos (a slider food for me.) I can't wake up and just eat a protien shake then go to work. I want food! Has anyone else beat this battle? It's all a mental thing, what do you say to yourself to eat better. And I don't know how to eat better, I never have. Ate crappy foods my whole childhhood and then as an adult. What's a simple change to start? Like cut out chocolate bars and eat .... Or cut out chips and eat.... IDK. Any ideas? Any good food I might like?

Thanks

Tab.

Tabitha,

Weight loss surgery is only a tool to help us lose those excess pounds. You also have to learn how to eat the right foods and in the proper amounts. Most surgeons work in tandem with hospitals and offer support groups lead by nurses, dietitians, and other experts. I would highly suggest joining one of these groups or start seeing a nutritionist on your own. You will be surprised how well the combination of being banded and eating the right foods really is! Take care and I am looking forward to hearing about you successes soon!

Dennis

We get frustrated from time to time, no doubt. I think thats normal. I didn't get good restriction until my band was more than half filled. That said, I know I have to make better choices too. The band is just a tool. There are some foods that I just cannot keep in the house because I will eat them. Also, I had to make exercise a regular part of my life. I don't want to, but, I do. When I get on the scale and the numbers have gone down, I realize it is worth it.

You can do this!

Sorry, but I'm going to be a Grinch. You can't eat candy and chips. It just won't work. Period!

You shouldn't be on Protein Shakes either. You should be eating foods like eggs, lean ham, turkey, chicken, seafood, veggies, salads.

You're eating everything that will only make you hungrier. The band is designed to slow the digestion of foods in your stomach. The food in your upper pouch goes through much slower and triggers a level of satiety much sooner so you eat less(only with band friendly food). If you eat slider foods the band does nothing and you are consuming empty calories that will spike your insulin making you even hungrier.

Eat solid foods that are nutritious and stay in your upper stomach longer or you'll always be hungry. That's why Protein shakes are bad for you unless you are 2 weeks out from surgery or just had a fill. They flush right through.

You went to the seminars, the nutrition counseling and classes. You know what needs to be done. Just do it. Or, don't do it and remain fat. At some point you will have to muster the courage to use the tool right?

tmf

I just noticed you only have 30 lbs to go? You must be doing something right? It's not the doom and gloom your original post indicates?

I think you already know what to do? Just need an atta girl?

Atta Girl!

tmf

I can only speak for myself on this issue. I really can't have any of that stuff. For me, junk food is the slippery slope. Once I'm on it I find it so hard to escape.

The time to do better is NOW. Each day, hour and food choice is your opportunity to make better choices. If you have chips with lunch, have half a salad at dinner. Stop buying bad foods. Stop eating at restaurants where you slip up.

I say this as someone who lost only 12 pounds in first 6 months of being banded. And I just started losing again after a 5 week bout with bad food choices. I gave away my last box of Cookies, asked my mom not to make brownies for my kids when I come over and I stopped driving past the plaza with the frozen yogurt. I'm struggling but I've lost 2 pounds this week.

Another thing: try to see why you are eating. You don't need to respond, but have you considered seeing a therapist to help with any anxiety or depression issues that trigger a need to eat or to eat certain foods.

All of this is just from my mixed experiences with the band over the past year, for better and for worse!

food For Thought!

You are not powerless!

Our environment is loaded with triggers for eating when we're not really hungry and for continuing to eat past the point of satiety. Learning to recognize these triggers and respond in an effective manner is the key to thriving in this food abundant environment.

What is a trigger?

Think about the word trigger for a moment… In behavioral terms, a trigger is anything that serves as a stimulus that initiates a reaction or series of reactions. This concept is analogous to a mechanical trigger, defined as a mechanism that activates a sequence.

Thinking about a trigger in mechanical terms is helpful because it takes the emotion out of it for a moment. More importantly, it reminds us that a trigger has no effect on its own and must be activated in some way. Similarly, your triggers for overeating are powerless over you—until you choose to act on them.

Dismantle the machine

Focus: Whenever you want to eat or continue to eat, that is your trigger to pause and ask, Am I hungry? or Am I still hungry? In essence, you are creating a new trigger for yourself - wanting to eat now triggers you to pause and check in. This pause creates a gap between the stimulus and response, allowing you to respond instead of react.

Explore: If you're not hungry, get curious! I wonder why I want to eat right now even though I'm not hungry. What was the trigger?

Accept: Don't judge yourself. You wouldn't judge a machine for having a switch! Instead, say, Hmmmm, isn't that interesting?

Strategize: Choose how you will respond. I could eat anyway if I want to. For now, I am not going to activate this particular sequence of events. Let's see...what else could I do until I'm hungry?

Take Action: Each time you choose not to pull the trigger, you weaken its connection. It's as if the wires rust and eventually break. Further, each time you choose a different action, you create new connections. With practice, you will hardwire these new pathways - like insulating the wiring.

Eat Mindfully, Live Vibrantly!

Michelle May, M.D.

I struggle with the mental hunger - I think they should have banded my head instead - lol. One thing I have learned is that even though I want to eat something full of calories, I try to opt for a better choice. I get satisfied and forget about the head hunger for a while. Yesterday was one of those days where I wanted to eat everything in the house. When I went to the pantry and the refrigerator - guess what? There was nothing bad for me to snack on. So, I had an orange instead. Another thing that has helped me, although many frown upon it, is the use of OTC appetite suppressants. It actually helps me more mentally than physically. It is nice NOT thinking about wanting to eat all day long when I use them. I don't like taking pills and am not pushing my views, it just works for me, for now. Good Luck and keep us posted!

Food For Thought!

You are not powerless!

Our environment is loaded with triggers for eating when we're not really hungry and for continuing to eat past the point of satiety. Learning to recognize these triggers and respond in an effective manner is the key to thriving in this food abundant environment.

What is a trigger?

Think about the word trigger for a moment… In behavioral terms' date=' a trigger is anything that serves as a stimulus that initiates a reaction or series of reactions. This concept is analogous to a mechanical trigger, defined as a mechanism that activates a sequence.

Thinking about a trigger in mechanical terms is helpful because it takes the emotion out of it for a moment. More importantly, it reminds us that a trigger has no effect on its own and must be activated in some way. Similarly, your triggers for overeating are powerless over you—until you choose to act on them.

Dismantle the machine

Focus: Whenever you want to eat or continue to eat, that is your trigger to pause and ask, Am I hungry? or Am I still hungry? In essence, you are creating a new trigger for yourself - wanting to eat now triggers you to pause and check in. This pause creates a gap between the stimulus and response, allowing you to respond instead of react.

Explore: If you're not hungry, get curious! I wonder why I want to eat right now even though I'm not hungry. What was the trigger?

Accept: Don't judge yourself. You wouldn't judge a machine for having a switch! Instead, say, Hmmmm, isn't that interesting?

Strategize: Choose how you will respond. I could eat anyway if I want to. For now, I am not going to activate this particular sequence of events. Let's see...what else could I do until I'm hungry?

Take Action: Each time you choose not to pull the trigger, you weaken its connection. It's as if the wires rust and eventually break. Further, each time you choose a different action, you create new connections. With practice, you will hardwire these new pathways - like insulating the wiring.

Eat Mindfully, Live Vibrantly!

Michelle May, M.D.[/quote']

Thank you for this post it was very very helpful.

Thanks 2MUCHFUN, I have sent this info to friends, great advise!

Google\\\\\\

Thanks 2MUCHFUN, I have sent this info to friends, great advise!

Google Michele May M.D. and you can sign up for her monthly newsletter. Look at some of her videos. She's great!

I have always been interested in nutrition, just didn't always eat that way! I now love to try new foods. I eat very simply, don't usually cook lavish recipes. I just want to experience better food

I used to stop every day for a cappuccino & a roll b4 work! EVERYDAY!!!! that was my breakfast, sometimes I would buy 2 rolls, unbelievable. I now love breakfast and try to make it count. I sometimes have eggs & turkey sausage or a souped up yogurt with a little granola and fresh fruit. I feel more awake and it holds me for several hours.

I do splurge with dark chocolate, try to eat a small square or 2. I know that if I let go and buy the rolls I used to buy, soon I will be eating them instead of a healthy breakfast. I don't always have to give in to what I "think" I want!

I have always been interested in nutrition, just didn't always eat that way! I now love to try new foods. I eat very simply, don't usually cook lavish recipes. I just want to experience better food

I used to stop every day for a cappuccino & a roll b4 work! EVERYDAY!!!! that was my breakfast, sometimes I would buy 2 rolls, unbelievable. I now love breakfast and try to make it count. I sometimes have eggs & turkey sausage or a souped up yogurt with a little granola and fresh fruit. I feel more awake and it holds me for several hours.

I do splurge with dark chocolate, try to eat a small square or 2. I know that if I let go and buy the rolls I used to buy, soon I will be eating them instead of a healthy breakfast. I don't always have to give in to what I "think" I want!

I just had a dove dark chocolate melt away in my mouth only 5 minutes ago. It's my daily treat.

tmf

For breakfast I have the following: Greek yogurt with fruit; half a scoop vanilla whey isolate protein powder; unflavored benefiber; walnuts; 1/3 cup high protein Kashi Go Lean. Greek yogurt is a great protein and with the add ins you get the extra crunch.

I feel like if I eat junkie food or food I used to eat I win. But if I eat healthy foods like fruits or vegetables or other 'foreign' foods then I lose. I have not been able to shift this in my head. It's like I'm secretly victorious by eating crap, which I KNOW IS WRONG! I think if anyone else feels this way they would get what I'm saying. I appreciate everyones responses, it helps to have support and some different mindsets. And the good food ideas, new things for me to try.

My suggestion is to see a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. No one here is going to be able to convince you to eat healthy. Or, at the very minimum, see your doctor's nutritionist/dietician. They're about 1/4 the cost and it can only open your eyes to other choices.

It does sound like you were not ready for this step but it's not too late to find the path.

tmf