I'm really concerned. I have had my band for a year and a half. I originally lost 47 pounds. I am now in the gaining stage. My band is working because I am restricted on the amount of food I eat, but my problem is not eating healthy food but junk food. Mostly, candy. I was never a candy eater prior to my lap band and now I can't seem to stop. Any suggestions? My doctor suggested a psychologist, but I would like to think I can do it on my own. Has anyone else had this problem? I need to lose about 50 more pounds. I've worked to hard to lose and now I'm regaining what I lost. HELP!!!

Phyllis:help:

Phyllis, I wouldn't say you're in the "gaining stage" but rather you're in the "mind over matter" stage. There does come a point in the banded life where we find that the band alone isn't enough to motivate us to eat right. So that's the time to remember what it was that led you to banding in the first place. Why did you want to lose weight? How did you feel as the weight started to come off? Is candy worth the loss of those feelings?

Believe me, you are NOT alone. I know exactly how you feel and I daresay most everyone else does, too. You can conquer this short-term battle with sugar. If you've never tried going cold turkey, give that a whirl. Sugar is addictive, and I know for me once I have that first taste in a day the rest of the day is a downward spiral. Try to avoid it if you can, and see where it takes you!

In the meantime, know that your band is there and waiting for you to get your head back in the game. And we're here for you too!

Thanks Alexandra for your kind words of encouragement. I am really struggling and DO NOT WANT to gain more weight. Sometimes I just feel defeated and want to give up, but again I know I can't. Do you think a psychologist would help? You had your band removed. How are you doing now? Will you have another band at a future time?

Phyllis

Gosh, how I understand you! I'be been banded for over 2 years and this has been a constant fight against weight and it has not been easy at all. I'm still far from my goal and it's a everyday battle and I keep telling myself that this will go on and on, without ever ending. Some people have a problem with alcohol, others with smoking, others with drugs, mine is with sugar and all the bad stuff that's wrong for my body. But I still believe this band is the best thing I've ever done for myself and it's been a long hard process. I'm doing the best I can right now, but I know that there's still more I can do and I'll get there and I can't go back. There's no way I'm giving up and allow myself to go back to what I used to be.

Hang in there, you came a long way, for some people like us, even with the band, we'll still have to put out an extra mile for it to work out.

niki

I really think a psychologist would help. We all have eating disorders, in a sense and just because we had surgery doesn't mean our mind and thoughts will follow.

did ya try rebooting with a liquid diet? then plan your meals throw out all candy and start over?

id try that, and if that didnt work, then yeah id call a therapist. They arent so bad. I had one for years before the band. Your insurance will likely pay a large portion of it.

Good Luck!

When I was overly restircted, the only thing that would go down was chocolate. I never ate candy before being banded. Now, I eat a little every day. It is a problem, but I have found some ways to keep from overindulging.

1. Don't buy candy. Stay away from the candy aisles at the store. I stay away from the movie theatre because it is too much of a temptation to go to the concessions.

2. If you really want to have a little, only buy the small, individual bag. Don't buy it in bulk.

3. Make sure your band is not too tight. If healthy foods get stuck, you will be more apt to turn to the junk. When we don't get the Protein we need, we can mistakenly turn to sweets for energy.

4. EXERCISE!!! This is the #1 tool to help me turn off my cravings. And it affords me to indulge in a 1/2 oz. of chocolate now and then.

Hey, these are very simplistic ideas that we ALL know. We have to keep reminding ourselves and each other why we've been banded, and where we want to be. Every day can be a challenge, but honestly, after a few days of being "good," it gets SO much easier!!

Good luck to ALL of us! Let's have a great day!

Are you apposed to counceling? If so, why? I hope this doesn't come out snarky or anything, but you got banded because you couldn't do it on your own (as we all did) and counceling is just another type of tool that can be used similarly.

I hope you get it figured out, I'm rootin' for ya!

Are you apposed to counceling? If so, why? I hope this doesn't come out snarky or anything, but you got banded because you couldn't do it on your own (as we all did) and counceling is just another type of tool that can be used similarly.

I hope you get it figured out, I'm rootin' for ya!

Not necessarily. If you really research therapy and counseling you will find that stats show verrrry little difference in the outcome of a person with therapy vs. without.

Gosh, how I understand you! I'be been banded for over 2 years and this has been a constant fight against weight and it has not been easy at all. I'm still far from my goal and it's a everyday battle and I keep telling myself that this will go on and on, without ever ending. Some people have a problem with alcohol, others with smoking, others with drugs, mine is with sugar and all the bad stuff that's wrong for my body. But I still believe this band is the best thing I've ever done for myself and it's been a long hard process. I'm doing the best I can right now, but I know that there's still more I can do and I'll get there and I can't go back. There's no way I'm giving up and allow myself to go back to what I used to be.

Hang in there, you came a long way, for some people like us, even with the band, we'll still have to put out an extra mile for it to work out.

niki

The big difference between a food addiction and the other addictions is that it is possible to live without ever touching the other addictions again but in order to live we can't completely avoid food. I've always said that was the biggest problem between an over eater and an alcoholic. We all need to put our mind set to eat healthy for the rest of our lives. Although I'm only 6 weeks out I'm really trying to eat healthy and am trying to make it a lifetime habit. I know you can get back in the groove and start loosing again.

Dear Pacnan,

I am exactly like you!

I am a sugar-a-holic to the max..........................

I always liked candy and sweets before band but now I can't get away from it and it has totally sobotaged my losing. I had a fill 2 days ago and all I want is candy or something sweet. I think I need to quit cold turkey like Alaxandra said to you. I agree that maybe staying away from it is the only thing that will get me back on the losing track. I Just wanted to let you know you are soooooooo not alone in this struggle!

Not necessarily. If you really research therapy and counseling you will find that stats show verrrry little difference in the outcome of a person with therapy vs. without.

Please site your references for this research. I'm very interested to see it.

Please site your references for this research. I'm very interested to see it.

I don't keep them. I read thousands of journal articles and I couldn't possible remember them all or keep them all. Some were in JAMA/Psychiatry, some I found on line, some were from nursing CEUs.

My husband is a psychiatrist and this is his opinion. I disagreed with him and set out to prove him wrong. After researching, I couldn't prove him wrong.

I don't keep them. I read thousands of journal articles and I couldn't possible remember them all or keep them all. Some were in JAMA/Psychiatry, some I found on line, some were from nursing CEUs.

My husband is a psychiatrist and this is his opinion. I disagreed with him and set out to prove him wrong. After researching, I couldn't prove him wrong.

I think it depends on the individual. If the person is willing to do what it takes to get well, therapy can be helpful.

I really think a psychologist would help. We all have eating disorders, in a sense and just because we had surgery doesn't mean our mind and thoughts will follow.

I agree. There were physical and most like genetic factors that got us here but I think psychologically, it's an uphill battle to break old habits.

Phyllis,

I am so there with you!!!!!!!! I was hoping to find someone here in the same boat as I am although it's not a very good space.

I have been back on the wagon so to speak for just a few days now and it has been very emotional.

I feel strong, determined and weak all at the same time.

Hang in there.

Debby