I was banded on April 18th, 2012. I've lost 20 pounds. My 1st fill was 8 days ago. I do feel some restriction & am eating less but 1/4 c of food isn't even close to doing it for me. I can eat close to a full portion. I have a hard time resisting summer food (grilled veggies & meats, summer cocktails...) I'm also really, really struggling with not drinking with meals or too soon after. I know it's my fault but I feel like I'm DIETING and failing at it. Will it get any easier after additional fills? I'm hoping the weight loss- when I finally start losing again- will motivate me. I don't want to fail but let's face it- if I had great will power and did all of the things I was supposed to do, I wouldn't have needed this surgery. I'm not looking for negativity here so please don't pound on me. I'm just hoping someone will tell me they've experienced this and still worked through it to become successful.

^{Almost everyone of us were in the same situation. You should be eating 1 cup of food not 1/4 according to my Doctor. But they all have different rules. How can anyone survive on 1/4 cup. It will definately get easier. I eat grilled meat and veg all the time. You will figure it all out, it just takes time.}

^{Good Luck!}

Sounds like you could use a small fill. It may or may not get better. It really depends on your commitment? Sounds like you are already eating around your band with cocktails and drinking during meals.

20 lbs is very good. Don't judge your own success by how well or badly others post.

Now I drink Water during meals occasionally but not always. It depends on the food. You're a little too new to the band to know how to use it with different foods. You will learn as you go along. It really is a slow learning process and can be very difficult since many of us just don't want to give up our safety nets(food). I don't get hungry late at night so sipping a little with my dinner hasn't affected how much I eat and how hungry I am after dinner.

tmf

You will get better! As this way of life becomes your new way of life you will settle in and get to know the signals the band sends you.

Trust when people say you WILL KNOW when your in the green zone because you definetly will have no doubts when it happens.

Have some Fluid added, if it proves too much then have some removed.. You will get the hang of it and do great..! I just hit the green zone after three fills and one infill I'm finally there..!! Good luck...

Nothing wrong with grilled meats and veggies... I think 1/4 cup is too little an amount. I would weigh out your protein to make sure you get your 4 ounces and then eat up to 4 ounces of veggies...preferably green. The drinking is tough but just try to remind yourself that it will either push your food too fast past the band or make you feel full before you have actually had enough to eat...so really try hard to wait 30 minutes after you have eaten. I love my cocktails too and have found the margarita's by Skinny Girl to be nice...maybe give that brand a look to see if there is something you might like. Even with the band you have to focus on mindful eating...it can help with over eating but the food choices are up to us.

Susie, you will never to full on 1/4 of food!!! EVER. You need to get 3 oz of protein per meal. That alone is more than 1/4 cup. Grilled chicken and veggies is fine. Alcohol however is a no.

Don't be so hard on yourself. It does get better and better and better. Until you get to your sweet spot, you will have some hunger. Before you know it you will know how much you can eat, and get full faster. I don't have a problem with drinking with my meals. I also can eat quite a bit more than most bandsters. Everyone is different. Just try and do the best that you can.

^{Almost everyone of us were in the same situation. You should be eating 1 cup of food not 1/4 according to my Doctor. But they all have different rules. How can anyone survive on 1/4 cup. It will definately get easier. I eat grilled meat and veg all the time. You will figure it all out' date=' it just takes time.[/sup']}

^{Good Luck!}

^{As long as that quarter cup is mostly Protein I think that's really the trick is to get satiated on that}