I have had 6 fills since surgery in October and I think I'm getting close to the green zone, but sometimes I don't know. Here is how I feel:

Satisfied with about 1 cup of food per meal, but could eat more if I wanted.

Getting hungry within 3 hours of eating a meal.

Need Snacks in between bfast, lunch, and dinner because my stomach is growling so bad.

Eating about 1300-1500 cals a day; any less and I would be miserable trying to sleep (I've tried it)

However, with that being said, I get stuck often even when eating slow and chewing excessively. For example, on Saturday, I had 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with sugar free blueberry jelly. I got stuck. How do we get stuck on cottage cheese. I stopped when I felt it and it eventually passed without having to vomit, but my stomach was still growling and I was still hungry.

What is the balance between having a band tight enough for good restriction, but not too tight to cause stuck episodes with each meal? My foods are always hit and miss. What I get stuck on this week, may go down fine next week. I don't do bread, crackers, or rice anymore because I can't tolerate them. But, it makes me mad when I choose good healthy food, chew well, and still get stuck. Makes me want to schedule an appointment to get the damn thing taken out.

When you are in the green zone and have good restriction, how do you feel when you've eaten enough? Does the band stop you or do you measure your food and eat only what you put on your plate? If the band stops you, what do you feel?

Same for me...never know whats gonna get stuck or go down. No restriction right now 99% of the time then BOOM nothing goes down. One thing I do know, if I don't get at least 64oz of water every single day something gets stuck.

I am the same way! I want to get another fill because I could eat a lot if I wanted to but I choose not to I don't feel that full but I make myself stop. I still get things stuck but I also don't chew as slow as I should so I decided to hold off on my fill so I could learn to chew better! Good luck and just know your not the only one wondering the question and going through this! I wonder if I will ever find the green zone! Ugh!

I am the same way! I want to get another fill because I could eat a lot if I wanted to but I choose not to I don't feel that full but I make myself stop. I still get things stuck but I also don't chew as slow as I should so I decided to hold off on my fill so I could learn to chew better! Good luck and just know your not the only one wondering the question and going through this! I wonder if I will ever find the green zone! Ugh!

I'm in the same boat. I've got an appointment on Monday, but I don't know whether I need a fill or not. Since my last fill I've had to quit eating bread, and Pasta didn't work last night either. I frequently get stuck, but most of the time I can blame myself for eating too fast and/or not chewing well enough.

I have adjusted to the "new feeling of full" though. It's very different from the old feeling of full that made us all obese!! It's not a feeling of being stuffed and not able to eat another bite; it's more like a very soft "okay, I've had enough now". I think that's where measuring and weighing food comes in handy! Just eat the amount you're supposed to and stop, then you should not be hungry again for several hours.

I am also having trouble knowing what the "green zone" is. I also have to make myself stop eating rather than feeling "full". And some weeks, like last, I can only eat a small amount and stay full. And things that normally go down, come up or get stuck. During these times of it comes up, I get a slimy substance too. I've read here that's due to eating to fast or not chewing enough? Then this week, I am starving and feel like I have no restriction. The fluctuation is strange week to week. I'm glad to know ok not the only one, but it's frustrating bc since my surgery July 2011, I've lat only 48. 10 of those pounds was in the Pre-op diet phase. And since Feb.2012 I've gained 2 pounds. I'm due for another fill the first week of May and I too am not sure of I need it. I do need to learn to eat slower/smaller bites. I also don't drink enough water maybe. I'm drinking about 30oz a day. So, I need to try and do better and see if that helps, but I doubt it will change the fluctuation!

3bubbasmon- I was banded July 20 2011 and im only down 46 pounds! We seem to be going at the same rate! I've been fighting the same 5 pounds for 2 almost 3 months now! 189-184! I get that slimmey stuff too if I throw up its usually only slimey salvia not much food in it! I do know I need to slow down and chew more just can't seem to get that part down! But I am working on it!!!