Well I had my fourth fill last Friday and after a week I feel I have FINALLY hit the green zone. I looked at the chart that Adam posted on here and I fall right in line with the Green Zone. I have been banded for almost 5 months and those 5 months were really a struggle for me. This week I have started Cardio workouts and I'm hoping my weight really starts coming off now. I never in a million years thought there would be a time in my life where I didn't think about food 24/7 until now. I find myself not even thinking about it until I am "physically" hungry. I love my band!!! Patience is not a vitue of mine, but I'm thankful for the support this site has given me and the information you have all provided to me to remind me to have patience. Much love to you all!!!!!

Congratulations on your weight loss - that is great. I was banded 7-7-11 with Plication and I have no regrets. I just left my doctor and no fill this time - he said I am doing fine for now - I am down 75 pounds with 40 more to go. I have had (what I consider) an terrible time during the holidays by eating whatever was in site and most of that was BAD stuff. Well, it is all gone now and time to get serious one again. I am struggling to find the "drive" I had when I was banded in July. I need to find that in me once again. I know I can do this, I just am having issues with my exercise and staying away from the carbs. I am also (temporarily) under a great deal of anxiety at work and until that passes - whatever...anyway, I really appreciate this site and the people who post here. It is such a big help - so Thank you to all of you. LBT good luck with those cardio classes - looking forward to hear how it works out for you. I may give that a try...

Melinda in Jacksonville

Congratulations! That's exciting to hear news as I've been struggling. Were you cheating before the fill? I've had a hard time committing to the diet just because it's been so easy to eat the stuff from before with no restriction or stuck episodes. Can you tell me more about your experience? Thanks

Thanks for your post. I have been struggling for the past month or so, hungry a lot of the time and with holidays that didn't help.

I had my 4th fill yesterday and I am hoping this will make a difference. I have another appointment with the doctor in 2 months, so i am hoping this one helps longer than the last one did.

I am still just doing the liquids after the fill, so I haven't noticed a difference yet.

Your post was encouraging to keep going in the right direction and one day I'll hopefully be in this green zone.

Thanks, Terri

Just curious of others definition of "green zone". How do you feel from day to day? I believe I am there also, but I would like to hear from other bandsters on this. Thanks in advance and be blessed with your bands.

Erikam - No I was not cheating prior to hitting the green zone. It's just things were more difficult because I was hungry an hour or so after eating, now I easily can go 4 to 5 hours without even thinking of food. I would pull myself away from the table after a particular amount of food but I really wasn't "satisfied" yet. Now I am. Also, my doctor told me that "typically" after the fourth fill I will not be able to eat any more carbs. Boy was she right, It is difficult to eat bread so I don't even try to anymore. I've given it up and I am very happy about this aspect of the band. @ LeLe64 there is a post by Adam called "Hitting your Green Zone" or something similar to that on this Forum board. Go there and read about what "Zone" you are currently in. It is very very helpful!!!

I have been know to cheat a bit - even now with 4 fills to date. Do I have restriction? I think so, that is why stuff gets stuck...But Cookies, ice cream and cake are sliders - I have to stop that. As for chewing - i do chew but still get stuff stuck, not always after a fill sometimes just before another one. I'm a mess...but I keep on trying to get it right - I am still loosing and I just deal with stuff as it comes. Have a great week everyone...

Melinda

Way to go... I think I am going in for a second fill next Wed. I am starting to feel hungry and it is not lasting the 4-5 hours as before. I got my first fill the week after Thanksgiving and have been doing great. I just started to feel this hunger and i am glad I have this apt coming up. i am down 60 pounds since October 3rd. I watch what I eat, I do not eat sweets or bread, I love salads, yogurt, fish, chicken and veggies. I work out every other day and I love the way my body is changing. I am a stress/emotional eater and feel that is slowly becoming a way of the past now, thank goodness... Best of luck to you and happy weight loss...

I never in a million years thought there would be a time in my life where I didn't think about food 24/7 until now. I find myself not even thinking about it until I am "physically" hungry.

That's how it is for me also. I keep reading here about "Feeling Full"

I never feel full, because I never overeat of stuff myself.

Like you, I simply do not have a interest, or obsession with food anymore.

I think, it is the signal the brain gets that you are full, without actually having the physical feeling you're full. But the brain is saying you don't need to eat, and there is no easier to do so.