I was banded 09/08 and have my first fill on 10/07. I've been doing pretty good, but I'm having trouble knowing how much food I should be eating. I don't snack in between meals, so I know when I've gone long enough without food, my stomach starts growling really loud. It's kindof embarrasing, but thank goodness I haven't been talking to anyone at work when it happened.

I eat a small amount of food, but keep wondering how much is too much. Do you weigh your piece of chicken/fish and then measure out a vegetable? If you have your Protein, then how much other food can you have? I have not felt over-full after eating, just so-so. I normally think about how much more I want to eat, but am mindful that I can only eat a little.

I also want to know what your doctors have told you about drinking with meals. I'm pretty sure I was told not to drink with meals, because it would wash the food down and might make me eat more and that I should wait 30 minutes after a meal, before drinking something.

The 30 minute rule for drinking seems pretty standard. However, I was told 15 minutes and it's been working for me. Sounds like you are eating just fine. I believe it's ok to eyeball the amount of food. A lot of measuring and weighing seems kind of anal to me. However, I know it works for some people. If it makes you feel comfortable do it. You are sticking with protien first and that is good. When I was loosing I would eat about 4 oz of lean meat and about 1/2c veggies. Hope this helps and good luck.

I eat 4oz of meat, and then add veggies. I only eat 1 cup of food at a time for a meal. So far, I have not been hungry between meals. I don't drink 20-30 mins. before eating and then 60 mins. afterwards, but there are sometimes I do have a sip or 2 of water when eating, I told my doctor this and he said that is fine, just don't drink a whole glass while you are eating.

Thanks, vlp1968 and Ocnlvr. I think after I get my first fill on Thursday, I might be eating a little less.

I have reached restriction, so I don't always weigh my Protein. I would recommend that you do, at this point. When I was where you are, I was "allowed" 2.5-3 ounces of protein. It wasn't enough! I was hungry, but I stuck to that amount (and therefore lost even before I had restriction).

Now that I have restriction, I can now "hold" between 2-3 oz. of solid protein and 1/2 cup or so of nonstarchy veggies per meal.

If I'm having something like chili, I usually can tolerate 4-6 Fluid ounces. A thinner Soup, maybe a cup.

You're right, the sensation of FULL is totally different now. It really is a so-so feeling, like you've described. You're not hungry. You're not stuffed. ("FULL" is a really unpleasant feeling for me now--and one bite too many can mean the difference between just right and ill.) What you're aiming for is a state in which you have that so-so feeling (which you will come to recognize as being satisfied) for a period of a few hours before you are again hungry. When you reach that point, you will be approaching good restriction :smile2:

You will get used to this--but it is a real adjustment, psychologically. It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job adjusting to the new feelings, though.

As for the drinking rule--I am "allowed" to drink right up until I start eating, but my doctor recommends not drinking until 90 minutes after eating. I do try to adhere to this--it does help prolong satiety for me. But if I am exercising or very thirsty, I sometimes cut it a bit short.

I've always measured my food from the get-go and have had excellent weight loss. I'm told 3oz of Protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. To be honest, at first I did 4oz of protein because I was SMO and 3oz just wasn't enough. I did cut back to 3oz as I lost.

If I'm somewhere I can't measure, the guidelines I was given for estimation was meat (chicken, fish, beef, whathaveyou) the dimensions of a deck of cards or about the palm of your hand. Veggies should be about the size of a tennis ball. I avoid starchy carbs if at all possible.

As to how much other food you can have... I'm told that if I finish my protein & veggies and am still hungry after 20 minutes I can have more veggies (provided they're not covered in some high calorie sauce or drowning in butter).

I'm also allowed "healthy" Snacks between meals if I need them. Things like an apple and a cheese stick. Wasa cracker & laughing cow cheese. Cup of yogurt. Something with protein and I try to keep it under 150 calories.

I was told not to drink 30 minutes on either side of a meal. I followed those directions for a long time. But as I've learned how my band works for me.. I've gradually gone to drinking right up to the first bite, then stop drinking with my meal. I try to wait an hour after eating to drink.

I've asked about sipping Water during meal if I need to and my nurses say that's ok, just not to drink a lot. Or to rinse my mouth and spit it out if I'm somewhere that can be done. If you get a bite of something too spicy, a spoonful of dairy (yogurt comes to mind) will cut the heat better than water.

It's a learning process. As time goes on, you will learn what works best for you and your weight loss.

I tried to take a few gulps of ribena with my meal yesterday as well as trying to cram in one more mouthful of delicious dinner and i knew something was wrong i legged it into my kitchen where i threw up in my sink in front of my whole entire family! as i heaved and gagged i heard comments of that's disgusting coming from the table, never before have i been more embarrassed, and all for one more bite and a gulp of ribena... i shoulda listened to my doctor!

Im stickin to the rules these days