So where to start- I was banded feb 15th an down only 20lbs since then. I was starting to loose weight and watch food an then I was at 3.5 in a 10 cc band and couldn't keep good down and everything got stuck. I went back in 2 time and had some removed, now at 2cc and able to eat anything I have been. Guess where I am asking for help/advice is how do you keep from giving into temptation? Since being banded I crave salty things such as chips or sweets all the time.

I know that this is a tool and you have to work with it but we all had surgery as we couldn't resist food and as much as I try I keep falling back to old habits.

Please share your ways you have worked through the rough Patches?

I was banded oct 3rd and i lost 13 lbs in the first 3 weeks and I have not lost any since and I don't eat to much or the wrong things I eat lots of chicken salad , tuna salad and small potions so I don't know what I'm doing wrong , I know your frustration tho , good luck

I think they key to to weigh every morsal of food and track every calorie you put in you mouth. You might be surprised how much you are eating over the course of a day. I allowed myself 1000 calories for 23 months and lost 215 bs.

They have handy aps which will let you track it so easy on your phone. I use caloriecounter from Fatsecret on my Droid phone and Ipad. It was a life saver especially when eating out.

As for the mind set.... surgery was a last ditch effort for me. I was 50 yrs old.. had tried every diet which would work until I got bored and gave up and gained it all back plus 10. When I decided on the band I promised myself to follow the dr's orders, track my calories and make it work. I just set my mind to it.

And when temptation comes... I just walk away from it knowing I am stronger and thinner than that piece of whatever. During the losing stage It is shear willpower in my opinion. Then when you reach your goals you can induldge every once in a while and the band will govern you to a point.

They have handy aps which will let you track it so easy on your phone. I use caloriecounter from Fatsecret on my Droid phone and Ipad. It was a life saver especially when eating out.

Just a quick, non-related question. I saw you use Fatsecret...why did you choose that one? I keep seeing most people on here use My Fitness Pal. Just curious

Just a quick' date=' non-related question. I saw you use Fatsecret...why did you choose that one? I keep seeing most people on here use My Fitness Pal. Just curious <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

So when I started this journey, the trainer at the time recommended it and really liked the detail it offered as far as carbs, Protein etc and have tried myfitness pal but don't see that info- maybe I am missing it.

I agree with Floridays completely. There is no way I'd have been as successful as I have so far if I didn't track my calories and hold myself accountable to every bite I eat.

That's not so say I haven't had bad days. Believe me, I have. But it's a lot harder to justify a bad day when you have to actually see you've eaten 1800 calories and have to face the cold hard numbers.

It's also been very successful when dealing with plateaus. Recently I hit a month long plateau, I think in large part due to starting to take birth control pills. I'm now doing some experimenting with my diet to break the plateau- but I couldn't do that without tracking my calories and monitoring my fat, Protein, and carbohydrate intake.

Good luck to you.

I agree with Floridays & Missy. Track everything. I use myfitnesspal and keep my diary open to friends, this helps with temptations. Is it worth it, my friends will know i ate that. Sometimes it stops me other times i eat it and log it.

I have trouble with cravings in the evenings. If i crave something, i drink a glass of Water first or do some exercises. If i still want the treat after that i get it but 99% of the time i don't.

You guys give such awesome advice! I love to see you all post and it helps me so much. In short I got the band about 4 years ago. I was probably not ready and I did everything wrong. Now I am back on track knowing how much I want this and I just dont eat the crap anymore. I take advice from those who have been successful, I track every bite, and I have a meeting with a nutrionist who works with my doctor's office tomorow to see what I am doing wrong and what I can do better. When I need something sweet I have Jello, sf pudding or decaf with coffee mate flavors. I measure everything even if that means taking my measuring cups with me. I want this too much and I am not going to fail. Plane and simple. You HAVE to want this.

I wish you the best of luck and know if you want you can be as successful as the others who have given you advice.