I am slowly coming to the realization that I will never hit my "sweet spot," and here's why:

I have 7.75cc in my 10cc band. I have "restriction" in the AM and early afternoon, meaning I get stuck very easy with any food that has any sort of substance. All I can really eat at those times is soggy Cereal (which I like so it doesn't bother me) and mushy foods like pudding and applesauce. My band is looser in the evening, but I do get stuck if I don't chew well, which is usually my first bite. The problem I am having is that I am not hungry for around 4 hours like I am supposed to be, but I can eat WAY more than 1 cup of food, and I never really feel full or "satisfied." I am either able to eat way too much or I get stuck on the first bite, I have no in between. I find that I only get a "full" feeling sooner if I eat some sort of carb, like bread, which I try to stay from anyway. For example, today for lunch, I ate a taco, and wasn't able to eat the whole thing, because with about 4 bites left, I was "full," but I also got stuck on the first bite because of the taco shell. But for dinner tonight, I had a piece of fish, 1/2 a baked potato, and about 5 pieces of asparagus and I could have ate so much more! I'll admit that for dinner I have even been able to eat a whole hamburger, and not feel full unless I eat the whole thing! I shouldn't be able to even eat a bite of a hamburger with all that bread, let alone the whole thing! I just feel like I have no other options because I know I don't need another fill because I get stuck too much as it is already, I probably actually need a little unfill, and I don't know what to do. My weight loss has also come to a complete standstill as well. Has anyone encountered this, especially having so much Fluid in my band and still being able to eat so much?

I'm very similar hunger pattern by the sounds of it. I only have tea or cold drinks until mid afternoon. May be a cuppa Soup around lunch time if I feel like I need something a bit thicker. LIke this I seldom get stuck.

If I eat solids before about 3pm then it is a recipe for disaster. Once I can eat then I just have to make good sensible choices.

Stop looking for 'full' or 'satisfied' settle for 'not hungry' and you may be able to adjust your intake to match your restriction.

I have had this pattern of restriction for months now and have lost 95lbs.

I am very restricted during the first part of the day but this eases as the day goes on. I would not want my band any tighter. My first part of the day food list is fairly short, but increases to be unlimited by the end of the day.

I agree with jalomum in that you should strive to eat enough to feel "not hungry." I don't live by the "1 cup" or any other measurement method. I eat a reasonable amount of food and stop. Now, by evening I have to consciously say "STOP!" because I could keep right on eating - and sometimes do if I desire a higher calorie day. We have to constantly remind ourselves that we, not the band (which is only a tool), are in charge of this show.

I would voice concern though about eating so little during the first 1/2 of the day. Meal Replacement beverages should be used sparingly and wisely, but I use them mostly in the morning because of the tight restriction. If you starve yourself during the morning, you'll be much more likely to binge come evening. Not only that, but if your body is not intaking Proteins for a prolonged period (sleep + first 1/2 of day) then you are likely lean muscle tissue wasting which is a self-defeating cycle long term.

Good luck!

Brad

Please excuse my ignorance because I am not yet banded.

How can you keep eating in the evening? Isn't the whole point of the band to make it impossible for you to do so? I'm a bit confused.

There are no cut and dry rules... but... Most banded people experience fluctuations in restriction. Most people are the tightest in the morning and least-tight in the evening. Social situations will also effect restriction for most people. Stress, menstrual periods, illnesses, etc. have an impact as well.

Brad

There are no cut and dry rules... but... Most banded people experience fluctuations in restriction. Most people are the tightest in the morning and least-tight in the evening.

I had a girlfriend like that - she drank in the evening. :smile:

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Thanks for the reply. I'm still confused on why that would occur but...