kentx05

I've been banded for close to 5 years now and I still don't know when to stop eating. My surgeon told me that I can eat between 4-5 oz of food per meal. I measure out my food and weigh it just like I was taught. However, when I start eating I can't tell when it's time to stop. I'm trying to follow the rule 20 bites in 20 minutes, but it's really difficult to finish my food. I find that I go past the max 30 minutes that I'm supposed to finish my food by. Am I doing something wrong? I know some people say they get a signal when they should stop eating. My worry is that if I do stop at 20 minutes, 20 bites, I won't ever finish my 4-5 oz of food and I'll become malnourished. Any help would be great.

My doctor told me that I should invest in a food scale. I did and it has worked wonderfully for me. I measure all my solids on it and it keeps me from overeating. It's harder when I go out, but that's when I stick to the 20 minutes per meal-20 bites rule. I bought a relatively cheap food scale, it's from the Biggest Loser and you can find it at Walmart. Good luck to you.

I never said it was 5 oz.

I eat until I am satisfied. If I feel my soft stop, a small burp, I am finished. Usually, the bites are predominantly Protein. I try to drink greens plus everyday. If I need to bump the protein, I will have a smoothie, shake etc. I have a chewable Vitamin and Omega cap everyday also. The way my doc estimates where I am, he ask can you eat 1/2 hamburger in a meal.

Deli slices, fish, ground meats, all go down pretty easy and timely for me. Steak, chops, denser cuts, have to be cut smaller and chewed longer. 1 cup of chili, 1 cup Soup, pretty much anything in a one cup quantity is doable.

Mainly, I am working everyday to be conscious of what I am eating and why I am eating. The most difficult for me, has been to listen to what my body is telling me, not what my mind thinks the quantity is that I can or should eat. My sense of what a serving is, has been distorted since childhood. I try to daily eat to live, not live to eat. Some days, not so successful, but I move on and try to improve my habit/ behavior, with the next meal.

I see. I usally try to get 5oz. of food in per meal since my surgeon said that that's the max I can eat when eating. But I see what you're saying. I don't have to eat 5 oz. of food, that's just what I can't go past. All I need to do is to eat until I'm satisfied. How do you know though that you're not eating too little or becoming malnourished? I doubt that would happen to me, but is there at least a minimum a person should eat?

I just went to Google to look for it for my android phone. Stinks, they don't have it.

What kind of peas?

Seriously, my bites are not much larger than my thumb nail. Somewhere between five to seven bites, I am "full" . If i portion out about five large or regular bites, cut in half to a third, depending on what type of meat, chicken or fish it is, 20 minutes is doable. You might actually time yourself a few times, eating fast was definitely a pre adjusted band habit. Good luck !

5-7 bites? That's it? Wow, I don't think there's anyway I can get 5 oz. of food in only 5-7 bites. How is that even possible?

Hello everybody,

A few years ago I was on cloud nine. I had lost almost 80 lbs and I was in the 100's for the first time since I started college. I was following all the rules, staying away from bread, rice, and Pasta during the week with one day of carbs. Then one day I was overfilled and starting having PB's. This led me to make a fatal mistake that I haven't been able to shake since; I ate a ice cream shake. It was a downhill slide from there. I had never been addicted to hard core sugar like candy, ice cream, and Desserts. After that one time I went on a ice cream binge. My favorite stop has been Sonic for their Sonic Reese's Blasts. That led to buying the gallon Snicker's ice cream that I would buy in the dark of the night so my wife wouldn't see. Now I'm back to just feaning sugar. It's been disastrous to my weight loss. I've almost regained all my weight and I hit a new low today.

I'm about to start to look for a new job so I need to find myself a dress shirt and tie. After going to the store I found not one shirt that fit me. It's really depressing and disappointing. Now I have no clothes to wear for job interviews and let's face it, employers look at weight. It makes me look lazy and sloppy.

I am now ready, once again, to get back on the Lap Band plan. I'm here to see if anybodyelse has gone through what I have been through and how did you get through it. Thanks for any advice you can give me. God bless.

Hi friends,

Quick question here. The hardest part of getting back on track for me has been two things, 1. sugar, and 2. keeping my meals within 20-30 minutes. The manual given to patients at True Results-Houston says that we should finish our meals within 20 minutes ideally, 30 minutes max. It also says that what we put in our mouths should be pea sized. I find it very difficult to eat pea size pieces of food and finishing a meal in 20-30 minutes. It would take forever if that was possible. Not to mention that we have to chew our food into it is liquified. How are you guys taking this advice? Do you place pea size pieces of food when you chew and if you do, how do you finish it within that time limit?

Has anyone gone to Dr. Hollis' office for fills? I'm wondering if he'd be cheaper.

I'm still wondering if anybody has gone to True Results Houston for their fills. I have stopped going since they billed me $800 for it. Has anybody else gone and seen how much they got hit with on their insurance claim?

Does anybody who got banded at True Results-Houston know of a better place nearby where we can get fills?

Yes, I would say you've developed an addiction. Maybe due to some other issue that has happened in your life? If you're like me, you're an emotional eater. You've probably gotten into a cycle of, I eat it because it makes me feel better - temporarily - but then I feel like crap afterwards, which brings on self-hatred and you eat more to punish yourself. That's me, anyway.

I'm 14 months post-op and I'm 10lbs heavier than the day of surgery. I only lost about 25lbs. I've learned that I cannot eat like my friend - who was banded in Oct. 2010 and has lost 70lbs and just got a Tummy Tuck. She eats whatever she wants, just not much of it, because the band won't allow it. However, in my case, I can eat a lot of food. (I have 7cc's in my 10cc band.) And I learned real quick to eat the slider foods and then I would binge. Especially w/in the last 8 months. I had something very tragic happen in my life. And as I'm always used to doing, I turned to food. With that said, I think I've finally had enough of feeling like a failure and hating myself. I'm ready to give this healthy lifestyle a try. And, for me, that means measuring out portions, counting calories and no junk. Which is going to be a task with a 14 year old son.

After bingeing on an entire bag of ruffle potato chips and an entire container of dip 3 days ago, that was my wake up call. I told myself that that was enough. I didn't have this procedure just to let it go to waste. So I've been on liquids the past 3 days. I'm starting over from the beginning. It's what I've got to do. And if that's what you need to do, then do it. There is no shame in that. I know I rambled on a bunch, but just know that you can overcome your addiction.

Hang in there, hon.

Thanks. I'm there with you. We can beat this thing. My problem is when I get bored I think of food and then I eat. That's when it gets bad. Still, I know I can do it. It's time to go back to the way I was eating before.

Well the problem is that I'm not getting just a few scoops of ice cream. I'm eating the whole shabang of Breyer's Snicker ice cream. Or I'll go to Sonic and get myself two large Sonic Blasts. Since it is a slider food, all those calories just slide in. Not good. It definately feels like an addiction.

Hi lapbandsters,

I need your help. I am so disappointed in myself. I had my surgery in Aug 10 and had gone from 282 to 198 lbs. Then I tasted one ice crea, Reese's Sonic Blasts, and now I'm hooked. It's been more than a year and half now and I've regained much of my weight. I'm at 235 now and climbing. I made a fool out of myself in front of everybody who now think the Lap Band doesn't work. I know it does work, but my addiction to ice cream, which I never had pre band, is causing me to go down fast. Has anybody else struggled with this? I need to cleanse my body of all this sugar and get back to my low carb eating ways. Any encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated. God bless.

I'm in desperate need of a fill but I don't want to go back to True Results-Houston because their fills have costed $600 a pop. I had my surgery with Dr. Hollis. Has anybody gone to his place to get fills, how much are they? I know it's called Baychoice Bariatrics. I'm on a health fund and my fills will eat it all up after 2 fills. Any help would be great.

I agree. I have a Health Fund with Aetna that I share with my daughter. Because True Results charges so much I'm left wondering where I can get a fill for cheaper but equally as safe. I live to the west of Houston.

These bars are very addicting and serve as a sugar craving for me.

I'm on Day 4 and feeling much better. I found my pouch again. This is going to sound weird but I was eating my ground beef for lunch. I don't know if I didn't chew it well enough, I swore I did, but I felt I was having a stuck episode. I've haven't been stuck in months. I had to have a PB for the first time and got myself unstuck. I know, kind of gross, but it proved to me that pouch is back to the size I had it when I got my last fill in December.

Unfortunately, with the amount of Cookies and ice cream I ingested in my body in these last few months I'm still feeling the urge to go out there and buy myself a gallon. I'm eating Atkins bars right now to satisfy my sweet tooth but I'm eating one too many. Still, I'm going to use these to get me through until I can kick the sugar cravings. Once I'm done with this pack though, I'm gonna stick to nuts for my Snacks. Atkins bars can be very addicting too.

kentxo5

I hope it helps. Let me know how you make out. Ice and chocolate are my downfall too. If I just stay away --- I'm OK. Once that sugar hits me -- I'm a goner. Ice-cream was exactly what got me going too and once that insulin level surges -- it's extremely hard to get it under control unless you find a way to just go cold turkey for at least a few days (even up to a week). We just have to get those darn hormones back under control. The 5 day pouch test is pretty dramatic and kinda hard but I was disgusted with myself enough that I was able to stick the 5 days out. And I must say --- that ALL of my cravings were magically gone by day 3. I will be thinking of you.

Thanks Desdemona! I just completed Day 2 of the pouch test. I did very well. I'm still having some cravings but not nearly as bad as a few days ago when I finished off some Oreos and half a gallon of Snickers ice cream. That's when I decided to come back to this forum and found your response. I've tried the 5 day pouch test before but failed by Day 2. So far I am doing great. liquids left me a little weak but I could tell my body is getting rid of all that sugar. Drinking only liquids for 2 days means a lot of trips to the bathroom.

I can't wait for tomorrow. I miss eggs. I already prepared my tuna fish for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll feel my pouch a little bit more. Thanks again. I'll keep you updated.

Started at 259 in April '09 and got down to 166. Then I got a Tummy Tuck April this year and had my band mostly unfilled for it. Of course I went mad crazy and have since packed 20 lbs back on. I've tried to get back to the green zone but have ended up overfilled twice and am now a little underfilled but I don't want to go back to the surgeon and risk being overfilled again. I KNOW that if I went back on my low carb faithfully I'd get going again but after the TT I lost my diet and drive motivation and I just can't get it back. It's been SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR for a couple months now.

Anyone else been there? I've fallen off the wagon, hit my head, gotten amnesia and can't figure out how to get back on. I am up to 185 now and I still can't get motivated to get back on my exercise and diet routine.

I feel like we are struggling through similar things. I've been set back by an sudden addiction to ice cream which I never had before Band Surgery. I've been binging on ice cream since the beginning of this year. Now I've put back 20 lbs of the original 82 I'd lost.

I'm starting the 5 day pouch test today. So far I've been getting through this first day well. I really want to detox my body off all this sugar so my cravings go away. I'll let you know how it goes.

HI, I was banded a little over two years ago. I have been having a difficult time lately and really need a buddy. I have a four year old so it's sometimes difficult to get to meetings. I would do better one on one or with a small group.

Thanks,

Kendall

Hi friends, I also live in Katy and was banded last summer. I've fallen off the wagon this year and have reput on 20 lbs again. I'd like some online support. Hopefully we can keep each other honest. I'm hoping we could all support each other.

I agree. I've been struggling this past summer, actually this whole year with an addiction to ice cream. I got banded last August and came down to 200lbs and finally 196. My goal is 165. Unfortunately, I've become addicted to ice cream. Once I eat one, I begin to binge every night. I even have to wait till my wife falls asleep so I can go out secretly to buy some. I feel like I've let myself down. The lap band is wonderful but it won't stop me from overeating on these type of foods. What it does is keep my hunger in check. However, what happens if you eat when you're not hungry. I have to get over this ice cream addiction.

Not to mention that I get so confused on how to eat. I figure low carb is what works for bandsters but then my doctor says eating fruit is okay too. I'm just so frustrated and in need of a pick me up.

Hello,

Had lap band surgery 2/8/2011 and it has been going great. Still eating small amounts and no sugar and lots of fruits and vegi's and Protein every meal. Basicall drink through the morning with Protein Shakes. Had initial fill 3.5 cc then .5ccc and another .5cc but nothing since May because I was losing and feeling restriction. I am exercising 3-5 X per week have mixed up the cardio and doing some weight training. I'm averaging 1200-1400 cals per day. I've lost 65-70 lbs depending on the day . have been up/down 5 lbs for 3 weeks now. Not sure if it is the weight training or my metabolism just readjusting. Need to lose 70 more. Any suggestions? Next fill assessment July 26.

Are you eating only 3 meals a day? 1200-1400 calories sounds like too much to me. Dr. O'Brien's book says to aim for less than 1200.

Thanks for the update. I'll be waiting to see what they say. I hope the liquid diet works.

Well I went in today to check out the status of my pouch dilation after two long weeks on liquids that tested every Fiber of my body. The fluroscopy showed that my pouch looked much much better. It totally looked like a normal pouch again. I gave the nurse practicioner my theory on why I believe my pouch dilated and she didn't see to totally agree but she wouldn't rule it out. According to her she wanted to wait 2 more weeks to see if the pouch will shrink even more if I want an adjustment. That would be another week or so on liquids and I'm not having that. The pouch looks great and she said my restriction is perfect. So from now on I will stay away from ice cream, eat using smaller utensils, and eat much slower.

How are you? Please keep us posted on how your pouch is doing after being on liquids.

Thanks for asking. I've been doing fine on my semi liquids diet. Honestly, drinking only liquids for 2 weeks is extremely difficult and I've done a few mushies at least once a day. How many times can you drink Protein shakes and Tomato Soup? It was really starting to gross me out. Anytime I took a look at Soup or that shake it gave me the hebbie gebbies. So I've been eating at least one little can of bannana baby food from gerbers. I hope it doesn't ruin my diet.

I'm still coming to grips with how in the world my pouch dilated. I generally never overeat. I measure all my meals so that's why I concluded it had to be the ice cream. If my pouch has not decreased when I go in on Wednesday, I'm going to be so upset. I cannot do this liquid diet for any longer. I'll let ya'll know what happens. Thanks.

Sonic Reese's Blasts. It's the only food that has derailed me thus far. Now with pouch dilation, I've learned my lesson.

I think he was told 7 days liquids but to come back in two weeks; which would leave 1 week of solids. OP you may want to ask if they want you to do the 7 days of liquids now, then the seven days of solids instead of the other way around.

Yeah I called two days ago and spoke to a nurse from True Results. It turns out that they want me on this liquid diet until my next appointment which is now 10 days away. I thought one week of solids and one week of liquids would do the trick. I don't know how I'll be able to hold up by only drinking liquids. It doesn't provide satiety.

Ice cream, never again.