ashamed of myself

I have gained 26 lbs from my lowest weight. I don't know what's going on with me... I'm eating like I never had a lap-band done... all kinds of sugar, pop, carbs...my restriction is weird, too... I have decent restriction, but I can take big bites, don't need to chew very carefully, and I get hungry not long after a meal. I don't have any problem with breads or meat. I'm so ashamed of myself for gaining this weight back. I have no motivation to exercise. I did so good at first... if any of you remember me, I lost 100 lbs when I got my band 4.5 years ago... all the sudden, it's creeping back on and I'm freaking out. I just can't seem to control my sugar urges. I have a fill scheduled with my doctor for this afternoon so at least my portions will be controlled again and I am determined to make better choices for my meals. Anyone have advice for breaking the sugar cravings... I swear, I feel like I'm trying to quit smoking or something when it comes to giving up sugar and pop.

You will need to get back to the basics.  Start exercising.  The first month I started to exercise I lost 16 lbs!!!   

I know you said you have decent restriction but if you can take big bites and not chew carefully or you get hungry after a meal to me those are signs you need a fill and I'm glad you are getting one. 

Maybe give the NUT a call as well they can help you with some things that may be sweet but not so fattening. NO POP  !!!! It can damage you band ! Maybe look at this fill as a new start and you will have to do liquids a few days anyway so why not go right back to the band rules you followed at the start .Weigh and measure and log everything and do protein and veg and low carb til you get back on track. You may need to avoid those trigger foods all together til you get the cravings under control and get back on track but it should not take too long. YOU CAN DO IT !!!!  
PS.... YAY for you for making a fill appt. this is EXACTLY what our bands are there for. The beauty of it is they can be adjusted when we need them to be .:)

 I love sugar too. I am the queen of low cal smoothies. Low fat milk, almond milk, calorie countdown chocholate, low fat peanut butter, sugar free syrups, fruit sfff pudding. Experiment. I also eat south beach protein fit bars for snacks.  SUGAR FREE POP!!! A fill is only half the answer. THe big question imho is why are you doing this. What is going on. Only you know the answer to that. 

The only way to break the sugar/carbs cravings is to go cold turkey for about 5 days to a week.  I'm doing that very thing right now because I've been eating WAY too much candy!  I've done it before and it works.  If I can go just 5 days, I'm good.  But, if I go back to simple sugars it's all over.  For me it is a true addiction and I just can't go there!

Getting a fill should help because if you can take normal bites and eat bread with no problem you may benefit from a little more restriction.  Just remember, that a fill won't help you stop eating sugar and other carbs. 

I have a copy of the Plateau Diet on my blog which is basically a low carb, quick start diet.  Friend me if you're interested, but basically, if you can just go 5 days or so with very few carbs and no processed sugar, you'll be fine.

Good luck!
Lisa O.

Becca, I am with you too!  I had surgery in 2007 and am up about 20lbs from my lowest.  I have lost all motivation to even focus and am trying desperately to gain control again.  I have been under a ton of stress and my sugar is my security blanket; Pepsi is my best friend and worst enemy..lol. 

Amazing isn't it?  After so many years out you would think it would be easy don't you?  I truly believe it wil never be easy.  I joined the gym last week and have gone once.  I seriously can not find the time to do it and trust me, I am trying.....life calls, work, kids schedules, etc. 

I would love to hear how more people found their motivation and got their groove back......don't feel alone!

 lost my father last year and between Thanksgiving to New Years I gained TWENTY POUNDS.. to gain weight that quickly you can imagine how much food I was consuming .. actually it wasn't even that much food it was JUNK.. bags of chips and candy and cookies.. but my tight pants made me more depressed still mourning my dad I knew food wasn't the answer it was never going to fill this huge void or bottomless pit I felt inside.

So I stopped eating junk.. I still wasn't super strict with what I ate but I stopped eating junk that was my first step.. then I started moving more back to the gym a few days a week then when I lost 5 pounds I started to get my mojo and started to really watch what I ate and I started tracking again and increased my exercise a bit. I think make all the changes at once.. i did it in phases and that was best for me.. to do it all at once would of been too overwhelming.

I too need a fill but I've been holding off because I have a trip planned and I tend to swell when I travel...

You are equiped with the knowledge and with the help of you band you will get this weight off just know it will take some time.. I'm still working off my gain it has taken me a tad longer but with exercise I'm thinner inches wise than scale wise.

I am 5 yrs out and started gaining weight also, the sugars and carbs got me and i was enjoying myself thinking its been so long that i wouldnt gain and if i did i could stop it easy.  well i am up 7lbs in 4 months and have been working out off and on for 6 weeks but the scale just keeps going back and forth.  I went in for my first fill in almost 2 yrs on Monday and  i am taking it slow hoping that this will work for me.  I know its not only about the fills but as of now it has curbed my appeitite just since Monday enough to where i am hoping it will keep me motivated.   i am still doing liquids and ate a few bites of refried beans but i also remember it takes a few days for the fill to kick in.Good luck with your appointment today 

Becca,
I feel almost like you could be writing about me.  EXCEPT:  I'm only about 8 months out from my surgery and have not gotten anywhere close to goal.  I've been doing a crazy amount of emotional eating and gained about 8 lbs (the scale jumps back and forth about 2 lbs).  I've started seeing a counselor and I've joined a gym.  And more importantly, I"m actually going to the gym.  I go in Monday for another fill.  I had 1cc taken out at the end of March due to swelling/irritation/constant heartburn.  I'm still having a really hard time controlling my eating, but I am really hoping that with this new fill, I will be able to get myself back on track.  Good luck to you. 

I feel you sister...I too have "fallen off the bandwagon"...I have gained 15 lbs in the last year...but it has been because of poor food choices. I can also take big bites, don't have to chew too much and found myself drinking one regular pop a day and my chocolate chip cookies would make me feel happy...until I would get on the scale that is. I would tell myself to behave and that I just needed a small fill, but I wouldn't listen.
I have also felt ashamed and like a failure, but these women are right...that's the beauty of the band...it is our tool to help us. Just think how much worse it would be for us if we DIDN'T have the band! I am going to the doc on Wed. cause I haven't had a fill since 2009...it's about time...Be strong, pick yourself up and focus on the future!! You CAN do it! Good Luck with your fill. Hang up your goal outfit on your closet door for motivation. Whenever I feel really bad about myself, I have to think about where I used to be...I used to have a hard time walking up the street...and I just ran a 5K without stopping yesterday! Stay strong!!! It's possible!