i find i still have a BIG problem with sweets. the food isnt going down so good so i slow up on real food. then around deserts , it goes down pretty easy. i think i need a support group for the sugar. i made a commitment not to have any sugar for a week. we just came out of the first set of hoildays and i gained a few pounds! it might just be water. maybe i need a fill. how do you know when its the right time?

It doesn't sound like you need a fill. If you're feeling restricted in the quantities of solid food that you can eat, then the band is doing its job. You don't want the band to be so tight that you can't eat anything but ice cream!

In fact, if you can't get healthy food down, then it might even be good to get a little fill taken out. If you haven't already seen it, you might want to look at the ideas on http://www.lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm for "how to tell when you're perfectly adjusted".

Personally, I too have always had a sweet tooth. So far, I am trying to eat sweet stuff IN MODERATION rather than cutting it out altogether. It might also help your sweet tooth to look for healthier sources of sweetness. For example, a chocolate-flavored protein shake might be better for you than a handful of chocolate candies. Of course, that's just my opinion. I am still pretty new to this.

I have found that Protein bars and shakes are a great way to feel like you are eating something decadent without all the empty calories. I would suggest trying

Detour Bar = is like a snickers bar with 30 grams of protein http://www.wlssuccess.com/detour.htm

OneWay Bar = is like a dense three musketeers bar with 30 grams of protein http://www.wlssuccess.com/oneway.htm

UTurn Bar = is like a snickers bar with extra Peanut Butter with 30 grams of protein http://www.wlssuccess.com/uturn.htm

They have also just come out with one that is like a mounds but they don't offer it at wlssuccess.com. I am not affilitate with that site but I have used them several times now without any problems.

These bars are not cheap - compared to a snickers for example - BUT at least you are getting the protein and not just the empty calories.

Protein Shakes (doctored up of course) are also a way to have something sweet but still be on track. I like

the chocolate flavor of these http://www.wlssuccess.com/champion.htm it is really good with a frozen banana tossed together into the blender with a couple ice cubes.

If sweets are your weakness then try to find ways to get foods you consider sweet into your diet - but just make them foods that fit in with your diet plan and not just any old candy bar you find. I don't know about you - but as soon as I do not allow myself to have something that is EXACTLY when I have to have it! Good luck!