I have had two fills and am confused. I have a hard time eating dry meat ie: chicken, steak, etc.... and crisp/crunchy veggies but I'm able to eat more than 1 - 1 1/2 cups of food at times and sometimes I'm hungry a couple hours later but not always. I know everyone is different but how do I know I'm at the right spot or if I need a fill?

What does your sweet spot feel like?

The first week of the second fill was tough - I swelled and had a hard time eating anything close to solid for a week or better. I'm going to take it slow from here on out.

It's typical to have trouble with dry meats- they get stuck easy. Also typical to have some swelling after a fill-and therefore trouble keeping solids down. If you ever have trouble with fluids call your doc. asap. Sounds like you have some restriction- it will increase with additional fills. I wouldn't rush it- you seem to be doing very well. Trust me, being too tight is way worse then being a little loose. Best wishes!

Getting stuck does not mean you're at your sweet spot. I can barely eat a cup of food and stay full for 3-5 hours. Dry meat does get stuck easily. But that doesn't mean anything. You are probably not quite there yet. It took me 4-5 fills to get there. Hang in there! You'll get there...Hugs

luckily i can eat chicken... otherwise i'd be screwed because that is basically the only Protein i like besides eggs. try dipping your chicken in a low calorie/low fat sauce or not cooking it as long.

the sweet spot is a gray area... i always thought my sweet spot was just finishing a meal without throwing up. that's not it.

to me my sweet spot is knowing that swallowing one more bite will make me throw up... knowing that feeling. does that make sense?

Here is what my surgeon told me:

Chew your food to the consistency of applesauce.

If you cant chew it to that, like with a tough piece of steak, do not swallow it.

You don't have to eat dry meats, you can eat the dark meat of chicken, just take the skin off.

If food does get stuck mix a little bit of meat tenderizer with some Water and that should loosen it up.

As for raw veggies, if they're stringy or fibrous like celery or something, you wont be able to eat it.

Your sweet spot should keep you full for quite some time with no throwing up and you should drink 30 minutes before and/or after youve finished eating to help keep the fullness going.

They gave us a whole class on this with an entire binder that has everything in it. You should see a dietician who has experience in lap band patients to get some expert advice though.

lto me my sweet spot is knowing that swallowing one more bite will make me throw up... knowing that feeling.

Wow, that puts it in perspective. I guess only experience can tell us when that is. I just had my surgery yesterday so I'm a rookie at it.

I took the classes, have the binder of info. and have a great nutritionist and great surgeons.....I'm sorry I wasn't clearer.

I basically wanted to know what the "Sweet" spot felt like.....if I was having a hard time with certain foods, which I knew could happen, did this mean I was at my sweet spot even though I felt I was eating too much and at times would get hungry a couple hours later?

I follow the no drinking rule most of the time, 95%, but on occasion I grab something without even thinking - it's a habit thing that is getting better :smile2:

I know this feeling varies greatly but I was curious and was wondering if I was having a hard time with dry meats and raw veggies (carrots and radishes - not fibery celery, etc..) did this mean I was at the "Sweet Spot"

I appreciate the advice and have been taking tiny, tiny bites, dipping dry meats and chewing, chewing, chewing....this site has helped with the learning process that's for sure!