So I had my third fill three weeks ago; 7.5 in an 11cc band. I have great restriction- not to little and not too much. The problem is I was banded on December, a self-pay patient that went through no pre-op counseling. I thought that after 10 weeks of reduced portions I would have no problem when I finally felt restriction but I do. It's like my head tells me to just try to get in one or two more bites- even when I'm full. No wasting!!! Of course that no wasting mentality makes for one or two bites too much:(. Followed by misery sometimes purging and PBing. How have each of you overcome this head hunger; the feeling you are depriving yourself?

This is the mental part of the band that no one can prepare you for. It was amazing to me how many issues like that I discovered that I didnt know I had issues with. It took me two years to finally get to the point where I didnt feel like I had to order a plate at a restaurant. I always felt like I needed to have my own plate.. and would end up wasting all that food or trying to eat something I knew I shouldnt have tried to eat. I would just get used to eating on a really small plate and only put the correct portion out.. no more no less... learn to eat really slowly so that you can not finish way before everyone else does and then be tempted to try to eat more.. and I usually chew ice or gum when Im done so that Im not putting more food in my mouth.. although I have been told not to chew ice as it is just water that I am slowly flushing down my food... but it keeps me from making myself miserable or sick... so maybe it isnt as bad as that!

First thing I'll ask. Are you eating small bites and chewing extremely well and eating slowly? Your meals should take 20-30 minutes. When you do this you give your mind enough time to calculate if you had enough. Next, I would suggest that you use a small plate. Using a large dinner plate tells your mind that you must eat everthing on it. At first I would use a baby's spoon because I just could not take small bites and eventually I got used to it. No more baby spoon for me. lol Last, I would suggest you get into a support group. Most band doctors provide these support groups and are usually free. You will learn lots there. Be careful with the throwing up. Lots of throwing up will eventually cause problems. Good luck to you. You can do this. jake

I also think that a smaller plate will stop u piling the food up, i was brought up to eat what i was given and still find it hard to leave food and stop eating all the food on it, so i made it easier on myself and made my meals smaller in the first place. It does help. I used a teaspoon to eat with after cutting up things like meat.. i tended to put more on my fork if i used one.

Takes a good while to get rid of long entrenched habits like not wasting food

For me head hunger was some I really had a hard time with... especially in the evening after 7:00 p.m.

My doctor helped by suggesting an "Egg Timer Distraction Trick"... it REALLY" helped me for the first 3 months and I have told many, many new bandsters and I can't tell you how many people have come up to me at my coffee groups and thanked me for pass along this trick.

It's kind of lengthy to post... if anyone would like a copy of it please feel free to e-mail me and in the subject line just put Lapband - Egg Timer Distraction Trick.

The document is in .PDF format.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: (now 156 lbs)

My last fill was .5cc. I was doing fine, in the Green Zone since last May, but being close to my goal I plateaued for 3 months.

So, my Dr. gave me 1/2cc just to see what would happen.

It really put me over the top. Tightest I have ever been. It took me a good 3 weeks for things to settle in, and I adapted to it.

BTW, it did kick me out the plateau I was stuck in, and dropped me over 10 lbs in about a month.

Also, I don't mind depriving myself, as call it.

I call it it eating considerably less than what I used to when I was a fat pig, eating non stop and everything in site!

Now I eat like a skinny person......

Not trying to be negative! But this is sort of the reason that I think the 6 month of monitored pre-dieting gets you into the mode of eating smaller portions. I had gone to the nutritionist in that 1st month and she advised smaller plates(salad or desert). Even smaller forks, helps. I never use any fork larger than a salad fork at home. I am lucky to be over 55 and restuarants have that menu with samller portions. I went to "Perkins" and their 55+ breakfast menu is great for people with a band. Also, remember that when eating red meat, your portion should be no larger than the palm of your hand, or a deck of cards! Good luck, you can do it! Just remember that you don't have to be a member of the "clean plate" club, anymore! Karen

Hmm... Thank you all. I'm struggling with the head hunger not portion size. It's knowing when how much of the 1/2 cup portion is enough. It's good to hear that some of you have struggled with the same thing and have tactics to approach it:) I'll be messaging you for that egg trick. Thank you!

I struggle with head hunger as well. Head hunger is the reason why we are obese. It will be a daily struggle until we change the way we think. What I have found; the more restriction, less head hunger. How many cc's are in your band?