I had my surgery February 8, 2013 and at the time of surgery I had lost 20 lbs prior to surgery. I am now 5 months into this journey and my weight is going the opposite way. My surgeon has said that I know how to go around the band and not eating properly. I would like help in getting back on the right track, I am back on Protein Shakes 2 to 3 a day, and try to eat a healthy meal. I will admit my weakness is McDonalds Sweet Tea and there cookies. I am trying my damest to stay away. I am going this week to join a gym so I am exercise. I do not like the heat, so I believe this will help me. Again any help on getting back on track would be greatly appreciated.

If you 'wing' it you are bound to overeat and give into temptations. When I am trying to lose weight I fully immerse myself into it. For example, I will create a daily or even weekly menu for myself. Not only does it help w/ grocery shopping but it dictates what I am eating. When I generate this list, I put the # of cals and protein grams on it so I do not exceed my calorie goal and ensure I get adequate protein. If you wrote a log of what you are eating this week, you'll be surprised how quickly the cookies and sweet tea just sabotaged your healthy choices and your overall progress. Another recommendation, if you have a sweetness, stay the hell away from it. Sorry to be blunt, but it takes energy and intent to go to McD's. That's a habit that needs to be relearned. Eating out is the #1 way to ruin your diet. Many times people assume they are selecting the healthiest options (baked chicken and steamed veggies) and when they look at the nutrition menu they realize it was twice the calories they assumed and not even close to being the healthiest option. If you are not at the stage where you know what foods are staples or how much of one time= x amount of calories, I would restrict my diet to the same foods for awhile and practice learning your staples so that you can eyeball a meal and know how many cals are in it. This helps tremendously when you do eat out or are preparing meals. Some people poopoo calorie counting, but I feel if you don't know how much you are putting in than you don't know how much excess you are taking in. Additionally, if you log your calories you can also fine tune how many calories you should take in..for instance if you take in 600 you might not lose, take in 800 you lose and take in 1000 you gain. Well than, your body is telling you where your range is for optimal loss. This will need to be recalculated once you start on a consistent exercise program since you will be burning cals. But you should be in tune w/ what your body needs to lose.

I like all the advice you've gotten. Here's one add, can you find substitutes for what you love so you can avoid McDs for a while? There are so many types of diet tea beverages. How about one habit at a time and pledge to avoid the Golden Arches this week.

Thanks for the advise, I never thought of my calories I consume, I will keep track from now on.

I use to love McDonalds Sweet Tea As a matter of fact I had one at Urgent Care in February when I was diagnosed with Diabetes and Blood sugar level of 594 and spent Two weeks in Stroke Unit at Hospital........ I have not touched another Cup since! I do still love ice tea and Bought a big jar to make sun tea and mix with splenda and it tastes just as wonderful!!! Also before I got banded I found a great bunch of sugar free cookie recipes in the diabetes cookbooks you can make some and freeze some!!! The point is you have options!! I am no expert I am new to diabetes and being banded but I do know there are options out there and I think you can and WILL succeed!!! You have the band now let it help you help YOU!!! Good Luck

I would suggest that you start logging everything you eat. It will help you to see what you are consuming - calories, fat, sodium, Protein. There are several apps and internet sites. A lot of people use www.myfitnesspal.com The site will help you to find a recommended calorie level for safe weight loss. It has a lot of foods already entered so you just have to search for them and select them.

If you have never tracked what you are eating, it can really be an eye-opening experience.

Does your surgeon's office have a support group? Mine does and they do cooking classes and help each other to break those bad habits. Might be a good way to help you get back on track.

What helps me to stay away from my temptations is asking myself does my body really need this? why do I want this food/drink? I tell myself it is empty calories that my body does not need to function, so why do I feel the need to eat it? I usually figure out it is something emotional behind why I want to eat something like that. Good luck and you are smart to come here and look for support!

The key to success with weight loss, whether you have a tool like the band, or are going on without one is changing your relationship with food. Portion control and healthy food choices are essential, but even more important is your mind and the permission you give yourself to stray off track with your compliance.

I also love sweet tea and I found a substitute that is really good! It's the Crystal Light Peach iced tea in the packets that you put in a glass of water or a water bottle. It's the best one that I've found and only 5 calories per packet! You could also sweeten unsweet tea with artificial sweeteners if you want, but my doc says no artificial sweeteners if you can avoid them. I really like the peach tea though you should try it! Good luck getting back on track!

I love their sweet tea too! The closest I found was sweet tea from MIO (the liquid water enhancers). Crystal light sells a liquid sweet tea also but for me it's not as close to the McDonald's one.

Both alternatives have zero calories! Drink up!

Well, I can't add anymore than what has been said already. However, sweet tea is just regular soda without carbonization. That as you must know is very empty calories! My son is a big regular soda drinker. He could guzzle down 3 glasses before the meal arrives. Free refills can be a curse is there anyway you can get unsweetened tea and sweeten it with Splenda?

I hope you have broken the Mickey D habit because the temptation is too great. Good luck!.

Lot's of good advice here! Track your calories on something like myfitnesspal, and I would replace a couple of the shakes with lean protein and veggies...and keep coming back here, lots of great people with great advice! If you absolutely can't stay away from the sweet tea, maybe just have it once a month as treat, so you have something to look forward to...Best Wishes