I am so HAPPY I found this site. It's great to know I'm not alone with my concerns. I am 10 days post-op and doing pretty well. I'm still on the stage 3 diet, 1/2 cup of soft food daily. My question is...it was recommended I take 45-60min's to eat my 1/2 cup of food, do people really do this? I am having such a hard time making 1/2 c of food stretch over 60 min. Generally, it takes me 30 min and I seem to be fine and full. Thanks!

I haven't heard of that for the early stages of the lapband, but it's probably getting you prepared for the upcoming months. It could take me 45-60 minutes to finish a meal 3 months post op.

I would think 30 minutes should be fine to finish 1/2 cup of food!

Good luck

Until you had a fill or 2 and start feeling some restriction, it probably not concern you right now.

It can take me 45-60 minutes to get through a meal, depending on what I am eating and how much.

After each bite I need to chew thoroughly, then wait between swallows for the food to pass through the band.

I don't measure my food but I am usually finished with the right amount.

I am happy with my band and restriction and all those little things they told me comes very naturally.

I was told 30 minutes.

My doc says if you cant eat it in 30 minutes, you dont need the rest of it.

Sounds good to me !

Wow, I've not heard that I should take an hour to eat foods. To me the food would be cold and I wouldn't want it by then. It seems to take a lot longer to eat, and I do see people looking at me like why are you still eating,,,,especially when they want to get up and go and I'm still sitting there chewing everything slowly. I find that it if takes me more than 20-25 minutes to eat something and there is still something left on my plate, then why bother continuing? I've eaten until I feel full so I'm done, period.

I didn't think you have to eat for 60 minutes..my doctor told me 30 minutes. I normally finish in 20 (lol).

My surgeon told me if i cannot finish my meal in 30 minutes then throw the rest out. He said they consider anything past 30 minutes grazing

It seems to take a lot longer to eat, and I do see people looking at me like why are you still eating,,,,especially when they want to get up and go and I'm still sitting there chewing everything slowly.

That's what I am concerned about only 2 people know about my lapband and I know that some are going to think why in the heck is she still eating. I just received my first fill today and have always been a fast eater, so pretty soon someone is going to take notice. My doctor never gave me specifics on time he simply said to make sure I eat really slow.

One of the hardest things for me in having my band was getting over being worried about what other people think about how I eat, what I eat, and how little or how slowly I eat. I am ashamed to admit that I have gone out for a meal with friends and thrown up what I have eaten in the middle of the meal (excused to go to the ladies room) and then continued eating so I would look like a normal eater!

I would never do that now. I am sure some people think OMG she eats sooooo little maybe shes anorexic or maybe they think I'm sitting in judgement on them because they eat a whole meal. I have finally realized that what others think is just not more important to me than my health or reaching my goal....its a slow process. I didnt tell anyone about my band except husband and daughter.

It seems to take a lot longer to eat, and I do see people looking at me like why are you still eating,,,,especially when they want to get up and go and I'm still sitting there chewing everything slowly.

That's what I am concerned about only 2 people know about my lapband and I know that some are going to think why in the heck is she still eating. I just received my first fill today and have always been a fast eater, so pretty soon someone is going to take notice. My doctor never gave me specifics on time he simply said to make sure I eat really slow.