I need some help please

I have some questions that I hope some of you can help me with.

I am almost 1 year and 2 months out....I am pleased with how everything is so far....except it is time for the weight to start coming off again.

I am going to the gym 5 of 7 days a week...doing weights and cardio....I know that I need to cut back some on the carbs...

My questions are:

1.  Has anyone that has had lapband had a reaction to having a fill?  Many times I end up with cellulitis at the port.....what is causing this?

2.  How do you lose the cravings for the bad carbs?  Once I had surgery...I didn't miss them....now....well I need to get back to the plan.

I am going to Alaska in May...as far as I know...and want to be healthier by then to enjoy the trip.

Thanks in advance.

Sorry I don't know anything about the Lapband but I know all about carbs :)

There is no easy answer to bad carb avoidance.  You just can't eat them!  Figure out what your worst offenders are and find a healthy whole grain, complex carb, etc...alternative. 
**Thomas makes a 100 cal, 5gm protein, 24 carb-5gm fiber english muffin.  It is delicious and a whole muffin! 
** Ice cream- freeze a FF jello pudding cup.
**Candy, chocolate and other sweets...there is a SBeachor SFast bar that will taste almost    exactally the same 
**Salty, crunch- Soy Chips or cheddar air puffs or Edemande

I have a list of foods that are a great replacement/subsitute for what ever "bad thing' I am craving.

Hi,

I too am not a bander but would like to offer a few suggestions.  Make sure you kaing in enough calories.  If you cut back too much your body will think it's in a starvation mode and hold on to any and all fat.

Make sure you are eating more protein and often, it helps with hunger and helps with the carb monster....

I had a 9 week time frame where I didn't lose weight.  Make sure you are eating clean (try to slowly cut down on the carbs) and keep your exercising going and the weight will start to come off again.

If you can don't hesitate to call your surgeon's office to help you with your questions and lack of weight loss....

Take care,
Kathy

Thank you for your advice....I am working on the carb issue....since I just had a fill...it is like "a new beginning" .  My doctor advises 2 days of clear liquids, 2 of full liquids and 2 days of soft foods....so Monday...how convienent for all of us...start that diet on Monday club..lol...to begin new.

I still need someone to help me decide why I have a reaction many times that creates cellulitis after a fill...if someone might have a suggestion.  I have had to take antibiotics many times after getting home.  If I can find out the problem...we might find a solution.

Thanks again for the help....I am glad that this site is here.

Kathy...my husband also had gastric bypass and needs to get back on track...I would have to look...but I think he had his in 2003.

Carbs are the struggle that all of us share.  I will tell you that the more you eat of the sugars and simple carbs, the more you want.  It is a cycle of wanting more, eating more.... 

Jen's suggestion is great in having some substitutes that are healthy carbs.  I do the same thing too.  It works.  You make the decision to cut out the simple carbs for the complex, healthy carbs.  Once you lose the taste and get off the cycle, it becomes easier.  The saying on DARE for drugs in schools is "Just Say No" applies to the simple carbs too! 

I'm not a bander but I train on the procedures.  I have not heard of the cellulitis as you describe.  I'd call your surgeon and discuss with his/her office.

I'm glad you're BOTTing with us.

Cathy

Thomas' also makes a mulitgrain light english muffin that has 100 cals, 8 protein and 8 fiber.  I find the extra fiber  little more filling.

Well... I used to be a bandster!  I had band complications and had to get a revision to RNY.  I am basically starting over... but after months of complications... I am truly starting over, yet again.  So, I am 7 months post-RNY and need to get my act together.  Supplements are really hard for me, I can't exercise much right now, and I still have nausea/vomiting almost every day.  It sucks.

1.  I have never had cellulitis with my fills.  I have had dozens (believe me... DOZENS).  My surgeon uses lidocaine first to numb the area.  He is very anal about keeping the site of the port clean.  He uses an elaborate prep for fills.  I wonder if you have a port infection that clears up a bit with antibiotics, but comes back when you get a fill again?  Truly, just a thought.  I have never seen cellulitis concerns with the band/fills unless there is an infection.  Maybe a longer course of antibiotics after this fill or next fill?  I got cellulitis once from an injection (flu shot) and Lord have Mercy... that was so painful!  Horrible horrible horrible.  It took 3 days to go from painful to excruciating.  I had to be on antibiotics for 2 weeks, steroids for the first week, and I was told to never get the flu shot again to be careful (although they feel it was an infection not an allergic reaction).  I'm rambling... I don't know if this helps.

2.  Bad carbs... I find that when I exercise more (longer duration, more intense, etc), I find that I don't crave the bad things as often.  I also keep lots of healthy foods around (carrots, cucumber, salad fixings, grapes, bananas, melons, etc).  I have a few weaknesses (choc. chip cookies, Little Debbie snacks, and Baked Lays).  I cannot let those things enter my apartment.  I might crave them, but I can't let them enter my home.  When I grocery shop (when I am at risk for buying those things), I make sure I eat dinner before going to the store.  You make better choices when you are not ravenous.  I am always hungry, so if I ate right before the store, I make better choices... but potato products seem to sneak their way into my cart (slaps hand and says, "Bad Alyssa").

I don't know if this is helping at all... feel free to PM me.  I know my band is gone, but I had it for 2.5 years and know the ins and outs (I also worked with a bariatric surgeon for 2 years and met a lot of bandsters and have seen a lot of variations, quirks, etc).

Hello,

We have Dr.Curry on the Lap Band forum and I asked him about your issue with cellulitis and please take a look at t his link for his answer.....

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/3814888/Ask-Dr-Cur ry/page,7/#31060706

Take care,
Kathy

I just posted about the carb issues on my profile on Friday. I was SOOOOO out of control last week...I'd like the entire week to be a "do-over". This made me very scared...it's not unusual for me to have an isolated "crappy carb" day. But this was a whole week!! This is the first time since my RNY 14 months ago that I crashed and burned so hard. I am still quite scared that I'm reverting back to old bad habits. I think it's good that I recognize my issues and it makes me that much more aware and focused on finding an alternative plan. So...I was on my elliptical at 4:30 am today; back to logging on daily plate. I ordered a cardio workout DVD and can't wait for it to come. I think changing up the exercise routine will help me out.

I still am very scared that this is it...I haven't lost any weight since before the holidays. While I'm very happy about how far I've come...I'm still 35 lbs from my goal and I'm wondering if I'll EVER see my goal weight on the scale. My surgeon actually said to me in January(things had started slowing down)..."now it's up to you to use the tool that I've given to you and apply what you've learned"  I know he's right...I just don't want to backslide into my old ways.  i also have to remember that I'm NOT alone...I have my BOTT family here who are going through the same thing. The support can only make me more stronger and more determined.