I am one month post op and I feel that I want to snack on small stuff all day long. I don't know if it's stress or habit but I keep pretzels, almonds and crackers in my desk at work and I munch on them during the day. I don't know if this is bad or if I'm just getting used to the routine but I can't seem to just stick to 3 solid meals a day.

You might be able to do the 3 meals a day after you have had a few fills. Make sure your Snacks are Protein. Go with a cheese stick instead of crackers maybe.

I don't stick to 3 meals per day, but I'm 2+ years post-op ..............(have never been able to stick to 3 a day, but lost over 100 lbs)

Congrats hummingbird. Can you give us newbies some tips on how you lost the weight and are keeping it off? My surgery is tomorrow!

Congrats hummingbird. Can you give us newbies some tips on how you lost the weight and are keeping it off? My surgery is tomorrow!

I wish you the best with your surgery! It's the first day of your new life! As for how I did it, the band has worked well and done it's job for me. I think the key for me was reaching my green zone early in the process. In the beginning it sure was a learning process figuring out what types of food give me problems (there are quite a few / sensitive stomach). I think the band works well if you follow some very basic guidelines and don't make it harder than it has to be. By basic guidelines I mean, learn what your full signal is and stop eating even if you have to throw food in the trash, take your vits., drink Protein shakes, stay away from candy bars , chew every bite well (when you get on solids).

I just stuck to some very basic stuff like that.

My advice? My two cents? Curb this habit now. This is the undoing of a bandster in my honest opinion. Don't snack. Don't do it. Get a fill. Eat 3 times a day and force that habit. If I ate little bits constantly throughout the day, it's call eating around the band. You could consume triple the calories this way.

One other note, I do not eat 3 times a day. I am liquid in the am, coffee usually or maybe a protein shake if I am running.

I agree with both of them.

I'm firm on 3 meals a day.

But if the Hunger Beast starts kicking in, and I know I need a fill. I will set up my appointment, but it usually takes a couple weeks to get in. So,,, I keep Power Bars, Protein shakes, Yogurt, cottage cheese, S.F. pudding, Low Cal String Cheese in the house.

If I get Hungry, I lean towards the protein ALWAYS !

Once filled.... I do not munch at all.

You are at work, and are not filled correct ?

I would throw the Garbage in the Garbage Can. Feed the Habit into the can.

Stock up on Protein Bars, (LOOK FOR LOW CAL) and Fresh Fruit.

Once you are filled, and not hungry, work at 3 meals a day. It's a good habit to get into...

Shirley.

Thank you for all your advice. I knew that I it wasn't the right decision to be snacking on stuff during the day. I just went shopping and got some cheese, salami and greek yogurts and my supply of peanut flour came in today for some added protein to my shakes and yogurts. I will get back on track with my first fill this Friday so I'm really looking forward to feeling some restriction again.

My advice? My two cents? Curb this habit now. This is the undoing of a bandster in my honest opinion. Don't snack. Don't do it. Get a fill. Eat 3 times a day and force that habit. If I ate little bits constantly throughout the day, it's call eating around the band. You could consume triple the calories this way.

I couldnt agree more. I have to nix snacking, period. That doesnt mean I dont cave in quite often, but I can easily, and I mean easily eat over 2000 calories a day if I snack and pick high calorie slider foods. I gain weight if I do that.

So even as someone who has maintained for a long period of time, its keep the fills up, stay in the green zone and dont snack. If you stick to 3 meals, you get to eat well 3 times a day and you wont be hungry. It doesnt mean I dont still want to eat but I just have to use willpower. I succeed often enough that I do maintain my loss.

I actually am a snacker. I'm also a slow loser, but I AM losing weight. The difference for me has been in changing what I snack on AND in counting calories. I use myfitnesspal.com to track everything I take in. I stick to 1200 calories a day, though I often also eat the calories I "earn" through exercise. And my favorite snacks are Revival Soy Chips from revivalsoy.com. They're high in protein, only 100 calories per bag, and help me get my "junk food" fix without the junk food repercussions. I also like Greek yogurt, Baby Bel Light cheese, and protein bars.

I think if you're a snacker, thats fine, it doesnt actually matter when you eat the calories as long as you dont eat too many overall. But personally for me, once I start eating I want a whole meal, lol.

A whole meal? I forgot what a "whole meal" is like ...... You know me and the word "meal". I have not had a "meal" since july 2009. I eat 3-6 snacks a day ..... no meals

I don't see a problem with snacking as long as you are smart about it. I go through stages...sometimes I eat 3 meals a day and nothing else and other times I eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks.

I can tell you what works for me - each day, I bring my food to work. I bring enough food for lunch and two high Protein snacks (some normal snacks are Babybel light cheese, turkey roll ups with laughing cow cheese, 1/2 cup greek yogurt). Some days you made need snacks so if you plan for them then you won't end up eating crap. Oh, and BTW, get rid of the pretzels and stuff in your desk...out of sight, out of mind.

I use to snack all day too. I still do. The issue is what are you snacking on? I use to snack on hershey kisses and other small candies and it would slow down my weight loss. I am pretty tight now to lose the last 20 pounds, and so I graze all day but now it's in trying to get protein in first b/c you're body can most definitely feel it if you don't have it. I snack on cheese. Even slider foods like ice cream, chocolate, and chips which use to go down easy thru fills #1-5 now I only eat a bit.

The point is, don't beat yourself up for it but def. switch to something healthier. Perhaps try the 100 calorie packs? In time, getting fills help so much.

I have always snacked. They are planned healthy snacks. Usually 1/4c nuts and 2 cheese sticks. Nuts are pretty dense in calories and fat so I always measure then out. I think everyone needs to find what works for them. Good luck!

I always snack, otherwise I'd starve to death! LOL...My meals are so tiny and consist of just a few bites that I always need something a couple hours later. I have...cheese sticks, roasted almonds, beef jerky, boiled eggs, turkey and cheese rolled up together, bananas, strawberries, carrots with ranch...they're all yummy so I don't feel like I'm "dieting"