Hi everyone!

I have been banded now for six months and my weight loss has completely stopped at 30 lbs. I know I am not getting enough protein (I hate, HATE protein drinks and bars!) but, I am also concerned that I still can eat as large a portion as I want. Shouldn't I be full after a cup or two of food? I think my restriction is tight enough. I have to be extremely careful about chewing or it will HURT and come back up, but as long as I chew thoroughly, I can eat as much as I want. Also, I find that I get hungry just a couple of hours after a meal. Has anyone got any good advice how to tell if I have enough/ too much restriction or how to get more protein?

Thanks everyone!

indigostorm11

I think you have to follow a diet. Expecting the weight to come off automatically, as my hospital said it would, won't work.

Hi everyone!

I have been banded now for six months and my weight loss has completely stopped at 30 lbs. I know I am not getting enough Protein (I hate, HATE protein drinks and bars!) but, I am also concerned that I still can eat as large a portion as I want. Shouldn't I be full after a cup or two of food? I think my restriction is tight enough. I have to be extremely careful about chewing or it will HURT and come back up, but as long as I chew thoroughly, I can eat as much as I want. Also, I find that I get hungry just a couple of hours after a meal. Has anyone got any good advice how to tell if I have enough/ too much restriction or how to get more protein?

Thanks everyone!

indigostorm11

Yes, it does sound like you need a fill. The band will never stop you from over-eating, but if it's filled to the right level it'll help you to feel full or satisfied on a small meal, and stay that way 4-5 hours.

Getting more Protein... you can get the fruit drink flavors, or the "unflavored" one and mix it in to other drinks or other things your'e eating.

In order to get in enough Protein, you need to make each meal protein-focused. Eat your protein first before anything else and track what you are eating to make sure you are getting enough. You can also try adding unflavored protein to yogurt or crystal lite to help. By getting your protein levels up where they should be, you will probably find that you don't feel hungry as soon after you eat. If you still feel hungry then you might want to try adding a small protein snack - string cheese, deli slices rolled up with cheese, greek yogurt, etc.

As far as how much you can eat...just because you can eat as much as you want doesn't mean you should. The idea of eating until you feel full doesn't work for everyone...for me, I don't get the "full" feeling until I am actually over-full so if I eat until I get that feeling I know that I will feel horrible later. My suggestion would be to weigh and measure your food (4 oz protein, 1/2 cup veggies...1/2 cup starch if you need it) and then stop when your plate is empty. That will help with the portion control...you won't feel "full" when you are finished but you should no longer feel hungry. This is what is working for me. HTH!

Thanks for the great ideas, everyone. I really kind of forgot about protein. After I read your replies, I really thought about how much protein I have in one day. UMMM, pretty close to 1 gram. Like I said, I really hate protein shakes and bars and can barely gag down meat of any sort. I appreciate everyone calling me out on the whole protein thing. I need to remember, my body needs it. I don't have to like it, I just have to do it!

Thanks,

Indigostorm