I am a week away from 3 months post LB surgery. I have lost 32 lbs in that time. Sounds good but truthfully 25 was lost the first 6 weeks and it has been slow going since then. I knew I had to be patient until I had some fills. I had my third fill about a week ago and am now 5.5 in a 10 cc band. I know there is some sense of restriction. At least until the evening, its not really difficult to stay focused on smaller meals. I had one episode a couple days ago where I went too long between meals, was really hungry and brought home a rotisserie chicken for dinner. While I was setting things up, I took a bite of the chicken wing and I know I didn't chew it well enough and I had my first stuck episode and up came the chicken. So obviously there is some restriction. However, as I read other people's posts here, I see people saying things like restriction is being afraid to swallow food, or they can only eat one egg or other very small amounts. One person told me they can only eat 4 tablespoons of food, the 5th will cause them to vomit. My doctor tells me I should be able to eat about a cup of food 4 times a day. Can you see the differences in stories I am seeing. I basically can eat anything if I chew it well enough. Bread doesn't bother me, but I couldn't eat a whole sandwich and I don't have more than the occasionaly half an english muffin. I am wondering if I need just a little more fill to be as restricted as I hear some people talking about or should I just keep going. I am not complaining, only trying to understand what I should be shooting for. Thanks for any advice or experience you are willing to share.

I know when I'm well restricted when I rarely feel hungry. That, to me, is being in the green zone. When I am in the green zone, I cannot eat more than 5 or 6 mouthfuls. And I don't want to. I feel full to the brim. And I rarely PBed unless I didn't chew well or I ate too fast. I also didn't tolerate certain foods, but the trade-off was I didn't get hungry so I didn't crave those much anyway.

Everyone has an opinion as to what 'the green zone' is, but only you will know what that is for you. If you are struggling with hunger, even if you feel SOME restriction, I would probably say, imo, you're not in the green zone yet.

I know early on when I was first banded, and generally after a fill, I would feel what I thought was being in the GREEN ZONE, but it would be brief, and would come and go. It was not until 6-7 months did the feeling become permanent to where it started to become a common lifestyle.

I too PB'd quite frequently in the beginning, because I had to learn new eating habits and breaking the old habits were tough to do. Not to mention letting go of certain foods.

This is a the chart showing the characteristics of the "Green Zone"

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Like everyone says.... We're all different, but I will tell you my sister (2 years out) and I (4 months out) can't eat chicken. It just won't go down. I guess it's too dry. I also had an episode in Friday with Ono fish and I was at a nice restaurant and had to go to the restroom twice to get rid of it. Last week in Yosemite I ate steak medium/ medium rare without trouble... And a lot of people say they can't eat steak. I cant do well cooked meats, no hard boiled eggs, and no meat that's not cooked fresh. I just think its how moist the meat is. Hope that helps!

Im also having a difficult time figuring out if Im too restricted... Im to a point of being almost fearful to eat at all... and ready to call the doctor to get a bit taken out of my band....and then I put on some jeans I haven't worn in 5 or 6 years, and they fit, so I think okay, maybe this is how its supposed to be...I mean I signed on for a lifestyle change right? Just a few bites (maybe 3-4) and Im done, I can't get anything else to go down, and Im in the bathroom with PB's. I have completely eliminated bread and pretty much all stretch just because it won't go down, or stay down... but all crunch fruits and veggies are the same way too... so maybe I just need a tiny bit taken out....Ive never had to listen to my body as much as I do now...lol!

Im also having a difficult time figuring out if Im too restricted... Im to a point of being almost fearful to eat at all... and ready to call the doctor to get a bit taken out of my band....and then I put on some jeans I haven't worn in 5 or 6 years, and they fit, so I think okay, maybe this is how its supposed to be...I mean I signed on for a lifestyle change right? Just a few bites (maybe 3-4) and Im done, I can't get anything else to go down, and Im in the bathroom with PB's. I have completely eliminated bread and pretty much all stretch just because it won't go down, or stay down... but all crunch fruits and veggies are the same way too... so maybe I just need a tiny bit taken out....Ive never had to listen to my body as much as I do now...lol!

Sounds to me like you've got a good understanding of what is going on. You'll figure out what you're most comfortable and happy with.

I read many posts where people don't have a clue. It is a learning experience.

i havent had a fill yet but i thought i read here somewhere it takes sometimes a couple of weeks for the fill to take its full effect?? if im wrong,someone please tell me??

If your doctor uses a fluroscope to do the fill, you could truly be in the green zone every month. You need fills because your band sits on a fat pad around your stomach. As that fat pad gets smaller from losing weight the band gets loose. I've read where some doctors not only guess on how much of a fill you need, but also have to guess where the port is resulting in you getting poked a whole bunch of times. I would suggest asking your doctor to use a fluro for fills!

I think it is unfair to say people don't have a clue in regards to their own bodies. We must keep in mind that what works for one person may or may not work for the next. The great thing about this site is you can get multiple oppinions on a topic based on that person's individual experience, then decide what works best for you.