I have been using portion control, ie 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 3 oz chicken, etc, but I can easily drink with meals, even gulp down a beverage. Don't have to take smaller than normal bites, and although I'm chewing more than before, there have been many times I've been distracted and feel that particular swallow could have been a problem. Is this all normal? Will it be necessary to do all those things correctly after first fill?

Follow the rules or you won't lose weight. Don't drink with in 30 minutes before and after meals or you will wash the food down causing you not to be full for as long as you need to be. Just start getting in the habit of doing that.

I don't take teeny tiny bites and I'm ok, but I do try to slow down and chew my food. When your band gets tight, then it's more critical. But don't "test it". The band is a tool it won't stop you from eating, or stop your bad habits.

I have been using portion control, ie 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 3 oz chicken, etc, but I can easily drink with meals, even gulp down a beverage. Don't have to take smaller than normal bites, and although I'm chewing more than before, there have been many times I've been distracted and feel that particular swallow could have been a problem. Is this all normal? Will it be necessary to do all those things correctly after first fill?

I am 9 weeks out and still can eat and drink anything too! Never had to chew or cut up tiny bites. Never had anything get stuck either! I am going for my 3rd fill tomorrow. I don't drink with my meals and I don't chew like your suppose too. I also have a hard time with making my meal last 30 mins....usually 15mins for me. I too am hoping once they hit the "sweet spot" with my fills things will change!! Good Luck to you!

Heather, I'm glad you cleared up a couple of things for me. I thought the reason to wait a period of time before and after eating to drink was so you wouldn't throw up, but I guess at least in part, its tohelp you fill full longer. I thought the same thing about taking small bites, waiting 5-10 minutes between bites,making eating very drawn out, was also so you wouldn't get stuck, but thats also help you stay fuller feeling. Ok, I can do that.

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I am 9 weeks out and still can eat and drink anything too! Never had to chew or cut up tiny bites. Never had anything get stuck either! I am going for my 3rd fill tomorrow. I don't drink with my meals and I don't chew like your suppose too. I also have a hard time with making my meal last 30 mins....usually 15mins for me. I too am hoping once they hit the "sweet spot" with my fills things will change!! Good Luck to you!

Robin, Mary, Heather... Do you still have same hunger? I am pre-opp would like to know if even if you CAN eat as before you might be less hungry.

Well, I've never tested eating as much as I would want to. I'm used to feeling full when I'm done eating, and except for the first few days right after surgery when there was swelling to help give you the I-can't-eat-anymore- feeling. I stop when I'm comfortable, or the food runs out on my plate, LOL. I also count calories never letting it go above 1000, mostly in 800-900 cal range. If I get hungry, meaning my stomach feels very very empty, or there are hunger pains, in other words, no mistaking it for psychological hunger, I eat something, or do a Protein shake. I often add Protein powder to the Protein shake because 1) it gives me more protein, and 2) it adds a little more thickness to it that helps to stick to the ribs a little more. I have not suffered at all when it comes to eating since I've been banded. I'm hungry, I eat and there's ususally 2-4 hours between eating/meals. I don't think I'm going to be one of those real fast losers, but I am losing. 6 lbs in two weeks. I'l probably be even more comfortable after my first fill when I can actually feel 'full' again. Hope this helps. BTW, I may not have been listening very well, but I don't recall reading or hearing about stomach muscles really hurting after surgery, so know that will happen. Anything you use your stomach muscles for will cause pain, like getting up from a chair or couch, or rolling out of bed. It lasted about 4 days or so. Thank goodness I never had the gas pains that some people complain about. Good luck, you're on way to a new and better life.

Robin, Mary, Heather... Do you still have same hunger? I am pre-opp would like to know if even if you CAN eat as before you might be less hungry.

Robin, Mary, Heather... Do you still have same hunger? I am pre-opp would like to know if even if you CAN eat as before you might be less hungry.

I don't have any hunger, my band is about half full.. i can go like 5 hours with out needing a meal. Do I still want food? Yes. Can I eat it? Yes. It's all mental, our battle with food addiction. Yea, the band doesn't stop me from eating. I can't eat like TONS of food, but I can certainly overeat by quite a bit if I chose to.

This is good to hear. I was banded 2 weeks ago ad feel the same way. I feel like I am either starving, but it is not time to eat or that I am shaky and weak and need to et, but am not hungry. And I am having a hard time figuring out what is ok and not ok to eat. I like a lot of things, but not sure what I will be able to tolerate and what not. And I lost 9 lbs the first week and none this week. Is that normal too?

I am 9 weeks out and still can eat and drink anything too! Never had to chew or cut up tiny bites. Never had anything get stuck either! I am going for my 3rd fill tomorrow. I don't drink with my meals and I don't chew like your suppose too. I also have a hard time with making my meal last 30 mins....usually 15mins for me. I too am hoping once they hit the "sweet spot" with my fills things will change!! Good Luck to you!

I'm the same way, with everything. I'm 10 weeks post op (I think), and was doing the same thing, went in for another fill today because I've been STARVING for about 2 weeks.

I'm almost 4 weeks out and have started trying different foods. I can eat anything, BUT I definitely can't eat as much as I used too. I also very rarely feel hungry.

I have been using portion control, ie 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 3 oz chicken, etc, but I can easily drink with meals, even gulp down a beverage. Don't have to take smaller than normal bites, and although I'm chewing more than before, there have been many times I've been distracted and feel that particular swallow could have been a problem. Is this all normal? Will it be necessary to do all those things correctly after first fill?

About 6 weeks out I started noticing that I can eat more. I have fallen back to eating sweets, soda. I really really want to get back on track. Hopefully will be able to get a fill next week. My weight loss has stalled and I'm looking foward to seeing some weight loss in March. I'm going to be in a wedding in May and I want to look good!!

I have been using portion control, ie 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 3 oz chicken, etc, but I can easily drink with meals, even gulp down a beverage. Don't have to take smaller than normal bites, and although I'm chewing more than before, there have been many times I've been distracted and feel that particular swallow could have been a problem. Is this all normal? Will it be necessary to do all those things correctly after first fill?

RobinLB I'm going through the same thing.. I am not drinking with meals and wait like im supposed to and I feel like im starving.. Let me know if you find any answers please..