Post Op - Have you ever had to Start over???

Hello all... I have been away from the forum for way too long.  I came to comfortable with my life at this point, and over the winter even gained 8 pounds. 
I know NOW I have to do something to get back on a better track to treating my lap band right.  
I drink way too many sweet tea's, eat way too many ice cream treats and do not take my vitamins or count my protein intake.  I am abusing my lap band... and I'm ashamed of myself!  

I am over 3 years post op now...
My question is...  Have you ever started over?  What did you do?  A few days of liquids onl..., then mushies... then solids?  Did you log/journal everything?  

What is the best way to get back on track...

Thanks for your help in advance.  I really want to do right by my lab band and my surgeon who gave me this gift!

hi there ,

I have never had to start over since I'm just starting out but my best advice is to start like you was just a newbie again :o)

Dust off the measuring cups and start measuring your foods ,

1/2 cup of protein , 1/4 cup of veggies and 1/4 cup of veggie / carbs your choice

go get a fill only if you need one , you dont want to make yourself to tight and your miserable.

Eat your three meals a day at least 20 grams of protein per meal.  that is what I do and I can stay full for a long time

Get at least 60 plus grams of protein in a day

drink your water 64 oz plus

drink you sweet teat but use splenda if you need to. I hate unsweetened tea, but what I have done is I drink water all week long then I drink my sweet tea as a treat on the weekends :o)

Start to exercise again at least 30 min per day

LOG LOG and LOG your food !!! That is very important. Everything that goes into my mouth I log it no matter if its bad or not lol.

Keep carbs to a at least 60 grams or below you do need carbs so dont cut them out completely

sodium nothing more then 2000 a day . sodium is a killer on a person losing weight

keep fats to 50 or below per day

If you are going to snack grab some peanuts, cheese, something with protein :o)


Good Luck you can do this you just took the hardest step admitting you was off track and need help !!! We are here for you :o) 

Thats exactly where I find myself now at 2 years post op. I started eating bigger portions, letting in foods I usually dont eat like carbs, and soon started getting some issues. I gained 11lbs over a year and I had a burning pain in my stomach that turned out to be a likely ulcer. My surgeon completely unfilled me and now nearly two months later I am about to start getting fills again.

I was extremely fixated my first month being unfilled on not gaining and started exercising and dieting like mad (was not losing). Then I finally realized I needed to not eat like I was unfilled and eat instead like I still had my band. I went back to eating low carb and have been finally losing again. As soon as I start getting filled again I am hoping that this my brain will not get off track again. For now I am extremely comitted. Have you considered trying the 5 day pouch test diet? I did it once before when I was off track and it worked really well breaking my plateau.

Best of luck!!

LOVE the new pic, Sarah ---- your committment to working with an un-filled band is really admirable.

Remind yourself as you get fills that you are tighter now than  you were before -- if you could do it with no fluid, you can do it with fluid!

We are all here cheering for you -- and can't wait to celebrate your reaching your goal!!

Thanks Kath!! I just got my first fill again today so although it may take some time to reach restriction again like you said, a small fill is more than none so I can do it :)

Yes. I had a whole year of madness. Holiday after holiday, major family events, Christmas etc etc etc. 27lbs gain! I just relaxed too much!

For me going back to liquids seemed pointless! Just a sort of punishment, after all that is not how the band works. I just called myself a few rude names (silly cow and so on) and went back to eating as I should!

I have never journalled etc.. But in this case I did count calories for about 8 weeks as I had a major deadline to meet!

Kate

That sounds like me... we lead a very busy lifestyle, so on the go all the time and so many friends, parties, celebrations, holidays etc... I don't think I can change that part of my life.  So I know It's within me to change the choices I make.  I am definitely under hydrated.  I know it I know it I know it!  That I think is my first step... I'm going to start with drinking my water or Propel or Vitamin waters etc... That starts NOW!  Also taking my vitamins is important and I havent' been doing that.  So for now, I am committing to that!  And I think I will start logging everything too... to make myself more aware of what I'm eating.  I've had too many episodes of sliming this past year.  I know I eat wrong stuff and eat too fast.  So I think the logging will help me get back on track too.  Some people don't feel they need it... I am one who does.  It's all good.  

Should have asked first - how is your restrictio? First step is to get a fill unless you are already OK!

Kate

So smart of you to catch this when it is 8 pounds and not 28 or 48 or 88 ----

I don't do liquids -- they dont' satisfy me.
When I realize that the scale has stalled or creeped up a pound or 2, I make the effort to cut back on my processed carbs.

I eat Greek Yogurt for breakfast -- and a small piece of fruit or string cheese for a mid-morning snack
I have tuna and veggies for lunch
Fruit or String cheese as an afternoon snack
Meat/veg for dinner
small handful of almonds or walnuts for an evening snack

I brush/floss/gargle and close the kitchen ---- I drink at least 16 ounces of water in between each meal/snack

One good tip I got from Dr. Oz, is to use a piece of clothing as a gauge (along with the scale if you want to) --- at least once a week, I try on my smallest pair of jeans and make sure that they still zip/button and I can breathe. 
Those tell me whether I need to re-focus or not ---
I gained probably 40 pounds in the past -- wearing the same big-ole size of sweats -- that stretched right along with me.

Now, I put on those jeans at least every week --- and they keep me honest!

Good luck -- and congratulations for honoring the gift you got!

Thank you!  After reading some peoples post who have gained 20+, 30+, even more I am Sooooo glad I am nipping this in the bud now.  My clothes all still go on, but not comfortably that's for sure.  And I'll be damned if I'm buying bigger sizes again!  Those days are over!!!  
Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions!