Hi all,

I'm just wondering what people think of the "GREEN ZONE". To you, does it mean not being able to eat your trigger foods? Does it mean eating small healthy meals and feeling full for 4-5 hours? Does it mean being able to eat any type of food in small quantities?

I know what the "GREEN ZONE" means to my surgeon and to the manufacturer of my lapband but I'm just wondering what it means to some individual bandsters. I have to fill out a questionnaire every time I see my surgeon and they determine whether I am in the green zone. I just can't imagine frequents sliming, PBing and not being able to get anything but liquids down as being in the green zone.

So... what does it mean to YOU? Thanks in advance for any responses.

I'm not there yet but I do feel close. So this is what I'm looking for as MY green zone...

• Can eat 1 cup of food or less and feel satisfied for 4-5 hours
• Everything goes down if I chew well

I'm not looking for the band to keep me from eating certain foods. That's MY job, not the band's job. The band's job is to help me feel satisfied with a small meal, and to keep me satisfied until my next meal.

Staying full for 3-4 hours; nothing more. I don't look for food restrictions. I eat everything. I too have the same mindset about PBing, sliming, and depending on liquids as a meal, though I will say I have PB'd and slimed a few times. The joy of allergies/not being aware of huge bites.

The Green Zone for me is when I can eat small meals and not be hungry for 4-5 hours between meals and losing weight at 1-2 pounds per week.

Now with that being said, I have been in the Green Zone several times and the reason for this is that as I drop weight I am having to have small tweeks to my band to get and keep me there. Something about losing the fat padding in the stomach area (finally!!) :clap:

As far as eating what I want in small quantities, well, I base that on what my band can tolerate at the time. I did have ice cream last week for the first time since my surgery July 2010 and it was OH SO GOOD!! but it will be a while before I have it again. Reaching my goal is more important to me right now than having pleasure foods...

dlynn1635 - We have the same surgeon, except I had to have my surgery in Lewisville. Do you go to the TrueResults in Richardson? That's where I go.

The Green Zone for me is when I can eat small meals and not be hungry for 4-5 hours between meals and losing weight at 1-2 pounds per week.

Now with that being said, I have been in the Green Zone several times and the reason for this is that as I drop weight I am having to have small tweeks to my band to get and keep me there. Something about losing the fat padding in the stomach area (finally!!) :clap:

As far as eating what I want in small quantities, well, I base that on what my band can tolerate at the time. I did have ice cream last week for the first time since my surgery July 2010 and it was OH SO GOOD!! but it will be a while before I have it again. Reaching my goal is more important to me right now than having pleasure foods...

Ooops. Forgot to say that I feel that being in The Green Zone is when I can eat a small amount and not eat for 4 1/2 - 5 hrs. I really try to stick to a minimum of 4 1/2 hrs before I eat again. Sometimes it depends on what it is I eat.

Your hungry about every 4-5 hrs., you really don't think about eating, and you feel Great !

When I'm not hungry for 4-5 hours. Then I don't feel the need to snack... which helps me control what I eat.

That is all the band is designed to do, control your hunger. It's not designed to stop you from eating. I wish it was . Some people just unfortunately have trouble eating certain foods. I don't think it has anything to with a sweet spot. My green zone is when I stick to my diet