Starting Over

I had my lapband surgery back in 2009.  In 6 years Ive lost and gained the same 30lbs.  Totally my fault.  Totally a food addiction.  I had about 4 fills and eventually had them removed.  Even with just the band alone no fills, food gets suck etc.  Im sure its because i eat too much.  Please give me any advice, encouragement, etc. to help me get back on this journey.  What do I eat?  How much do I eat?  I know this will always be a battle I have to face daily, but I want to be free of this!  Im 100lbs overweight.  Mentioned in a previous post that I lost my husband about three years ago - he was 49 died in car accident - I made friends with Ben and Jerrys and any other food that helped dull the pain, but IM doing much better now and its time to focus on getting healthy and making sure IM here for a long time for my boys!  Im 51 and its time for me to JUST do it!!!  Please help.

I am very sorry for your ioss and totally understand how easy it must have been for you to turn to comfort foods. 

The first thing to do is get the right fill level. If things are getting stuck, it doesn't sound as if that is a problem, it sounds as if you have restriction but are eating carelessly. 

So, my suggestions:-

Remember how to eat! You shouidnt be getting stuck. Small bites, well-chewed, pause between mouthfuls to allow that food to o go past the band; never let it back-up above the band. 

Remind yourself of portion sizes, measure for a few days to check.

Make eating formal. Plan, sit down with a knife and fork. Not casual eating. 

Start every meal with dense protein, then crunchy (not over-cooked) veggies, then carbs if room.

Once you gave eaten the right amount, walk away.

if you are hungry, be busy! If you are still hungry, eat something which can be incorporated in your daily intake. Try to do that formally as well - make it an occasion not just a grab and eat. 

Do it!  For your boys AND for you! Best wishes 

Are you seeing a therapist?  It sounds like you've got a lot of mental stuff going on and working through that with a professional is probably the best place to start.  

Sorry. You have a sleeve.  I thought you had a lap band when I referenced your reply to Tammy.  That was good advice, though. 

Phylis I have a band :)

You do indeed, but Gwen, *****plied about the therapist, has a sleeve and I referred to her as a bandster.  Whole 'nother process and, from what I hear, one that works well.

LOL a lot of mental stuff? Don't we all? 

And lots of people would benefit from therapy!

Don't disagree with you there.  :)

Tammy, I am going to be 70 in a few months and have had my band for 10 years. Some basic info about me.. I got my band to lose weight so I wouldn't get diabetes like my mom who had both legs amputated and died due to diabetic complications. I got it for my daughter and grandson who is soon to be 16. But the main reason I got it was for ME! I wanted to weigh less and be able to enjoy life again!! Right now, I still have 50 pounds to lose to reach my goal weight of 190, so you know I am also eager to lose these pounds.  I don't have as much time left as you do to enjoy myself!  LOL  

Sounds like you have been given good advice from two fellow bandsters, so I won't repeat that information.  I will just say take to heart what Kate has said about your food choices and how you eat. It sounds like you have enough restriction so being more aware of what your band signals to you is key.  My additional advice is when you get the munchies, get a big glass or mug of something tasty and non-caloric, hot or cold, to drink. Your body can always use the extra hydration to help shed those pounds. It seems to me that you are working thru the grief and ready to start living again. That rekindled desire to live a better, "lighter" life is the true motivation you need. The desire has to come from within and you definitely are young enough to live a longer and healthier life when you lose these 100 pounds.

You can do it with the help of your band since you have good restriction. You do need to pay much more attention to what your band is signaling to you about what you are eating, though, and think about what you are putting in your mouth before you do it! LOL That is what I am going to do now since I do not want to weigh 240 any more. I am tired of it and want to wear the great clothes I got for myself when I was only10 pounds away from my goal weight. Come on.. Let's DO this for ourselves, girl!