So... I have found that the old saying is true... you must EAT to LOSE. I was banded back on March 15th and got my first fill about 2.5 weeks ago. Even though I do not have much restriction still, I have been eating like I do. I was only taking in about 800-900 calories a day.....BUT I WAS LOSING NOTHING!! I figured I would TRY uping my calorie intake to see if that would help. I could not beleive the difference!!! I am now eating about 1100-1200 calories a day and I dropping weight like crazy AND im not hungry all day long. I guess I just had to see it to beleive it!

What I learned: Don't be afraid to eat, just make the right choices when you do

When you get your first fill, hopefully they will give u some ideas. My surgeon and team asked me to have only full liquids for three days after first fill, may be different for you but be sure to ask.

What kind of foods & quantity do you eat to get enough calories? I've had a band for almost 2 years. About 6months ago, I stopped losing weight so decided it was time to start exercising. I started going to the gym and got personal training sessions and I've lost centimeters but not lost and weight. My trainer suggested I talk to another trainer at the gym who specialized in nutrition. I had an appointment with him and it's freaked me right out about the amount of food he's saying I have to eat. I agree with the theory behind why I need to eat more but I'm fearful of forcing food and damaging my band.

Well I had my first fill and I definately have noticed the difference in what I have been able to eat. The nurse practitioner advise me to stay away from fried foods and keep up the exercise, do far I have seen the scale move little by little. So I try to stick with just protein like fish, chicken, or turkey and a vegetable and I drink my protein shakes and have yogurt and cut veggies for snacks. And I've been doin my best to stay set from bread and rice.

You make a very good point! I started doing "Curves Complete" at my gym, and depending on which Phase you are in, you have to increase your calories. At first I was scared, thinking will it backfire on me or what? But if anything, it has helped! And because I am eating on a schedule now, and the right combinations of foods, I am never feeling hungry, physically. Emotionally, I'm still working on that. But my recent success is really bringing this into focus for me.

For a life long fat guy this stuff is confusing....I read a lot about calories on this board and when I asked my Nutritionist about before she tells me not to worry about calories and focus on getting protein in. She wants me to take in between 100 - 120 grams of protein. I think on my next appointment she needs to go in some detail so I understand it better.