Trying to find my way back

I’ve been banded for almost 2 years and I am sad to say for the past 6 months or so I have not followed the banisters diet.  I went to my surgeon in January and was told that my fat percentage needed to come down and that I could not get another fill until then. I do have restriction I get stuck on things every so often and I do not believe I am to tight. I think I just need to say no to the wrong types of food and get back to the correct way of eating.   Got on the scale this morning and I am up almost 10 pounds and I am really freaking out. This is the most I have gained since surgery. I know I need to go back to basics but to be honest I have forgotten what that is. I know I need 64oz of water a day and to eat no more that 1 cup of food 3 times a day protein first. I believe there is something out there called a pouch test or something like that does anyone have any suggestions? My surgeon asked if I wanted diet pills I told him no I just really want to make this thing work for me.

I think you were smart not to get a diet pill.

You saw the 10 pounds and your ready to rein it in and fix it before it gets worse good for you. I am 2 years post op too and I did fine for the first 18 months... 106 pounds and maintained then I lost my dad and I threw a huge pity party and wallowed in food .. anything that could slide, cookies, chips and ice cream.. I gained TWENTY pounds.. I have 11 of those 20 off thank heavens...

When I first started to get back on track .. at first I cut out all snacks and junk food ..
after about a week or two I really focused on my meals.. I made sure I went grocery shopping and made sure I had stuff to cook and eat on hand. Oatmeal, high fiber crereal, egg beaters, candian bacon, cheese sticks, low sodium deli meat, veggies, fruit, lean proteins.. I really started to plan a few meals at a time and if I wasn't in the mood to cook my fall back was always deli roll ups low sodium chicken or turkey wrapped around some mozz cheese and dipped spicy mustard and on the side cucumbers and or tomatoes dipped in greek non fat yogurt ranch dip.. super low in calories high in protein and a good servings of veggies..
Then after about another week or two of really watching what I ate I hit the gym again.. slowly I have uped my exercise and now I'm back on track ..

I still have up and down days because I did let old habit creep back in and I'm hoping to get a fill here soon since it's been almost a year since I have had one.. hopefully with a few changes you will see the scale start to move in the other direction.

The pouch test is more for RNY patients but many use it to curb their sugar/carb cravings ... I haven't done it because I like the option of eating different things.. One day for breakfast can be Oatmeal the next egg whites.. the next protein shake the next high fiber cereal.. but thats just me.

Good Luck and keep coming to the board :)

GREAT advice!!! :)  I couldn't have said it better!

Thank you very much Hermosa for your words of wisdom

I can totally relate to what you are saying. I have fallen off the wagon lately & need to get back on track for sure.

I agree with Hermosa.....she has given you some great words of wisdom that I am going to use myself. Thanks Hermosa = )

I wish you the best on getting back in the game. Just take it one day at a time, or that is what I have to do....the big picture is a bit too much for me to focus on right now.

I can't believe your surgeon suggested diet pills.  Glad you didn't take him up on them.

Hermosa has great advice for you.

You could try to journal your food.  Tell yourself for just one day you will be 100% honest with yourself and write down anything you eat/drink with cals. 

Are you exercising?  If not how about joining the exercise challenge.  It's for 6 weeks and we just started Monday the 2nd.  You put down how many minutes you want to exercise for the 6 weeks.  Make it something you know you can do.  It challenges me to get moving on days when I don't feel like it. 

Set small behavior type goals, not scale goals.
It could be something like:
1. Drink 64 ounces of water
2. Exercise x amount of minutes/day
3. Journal my food/drinks
4. Tell myself 10 positives today
5. Do something to help someone else out for today
6. Tell yourself you are worth the effort to get back in control and to get healthy

Kristi