So...I had my surgery Dec 2010. I lost well, then I suffered a slip in May of 2011. I lost again and have been within 15-20lbs of goal since then.

I've kept my band loose and that has allowed me to be able to eat a variety of foods. I was likely at a good restriction for maintenance.

So I recently good a fill. I'm @ 5.6 in a 10cc band. I'm in the green zone. No PBing...unless I eat something to large or don't chew chew chew.

I've lost 5.8 pounds since my last fill just over a week ago. I get in enough nutritionally so no worries there.

So what's my problem? I'm missing volume of food...simply put. I'm still adjusting to the new fill and enjoying the weight loss, but now need to work on the mental aspect.

It really is a journey.

I can totally relate. The volume is mental based. Get a smaller plate. If that plate is full -I think it tricks your mind. Instead of looking at a plate half empty you see a full plate.

Boy, do I feel your pain. I sat down last week and cried because I was "missing" some of my favorite foods. What a joke that was on me. I was banded 1 year ago, have lost 104 pounds - after my episode - I looked myself and in the mrrior and said "REALLY" what is wrong with you. What on earth was so good, it was worth being 1/2 a whale? I got back in the zone and now I am fine. Yep, those feelings will return and I pray I can maintain my strength and resist the bag of Cookies.

Melinda in Florida

right there with you. I LIKE to eat a lot!!!

I had to also do a restart after moving etc.

I went back in for a fill May 24th and had to quickly learn how to eat properly again because I was filled to 7cc. I went through the mourning period again, and had to rethink about how much I was putting in. You have that urge for more food, when in reality you do not need it. I went to using smaller plates, I also put Romaine lettuce the leafy type on the plate for a filler and it is good for you! I will look at that and think damn that is alot of food, but the lettuce will chew down to not much. Take it one day at a time until you get back into the swing of things. You can do it!

It takes me so long to eat a plate of food I'm sick of looking at it after 30 minutes. That's cured me temporarily but I'm sure if I was around relatives who can eat and do eat everything they want and my band was loose, I'd fall back into the same old routine.

Slow down your eating routine and see if that satiates your appetite?

tmf

MMM Food!! Ribeye Steak, Baked Tater.

I was raised to ALWAYS clean your plate. "If you can't eat it all, you shouldn't have taken so much!". Can't tell you how many times I heard that! I got used to filling my plate then making sure it was empty.

My new lifestyle has really re-trained me to 1) use a smaller plate, and 2) it's okay to stop when you're full. Before being banded, I *maybe* felt full 10 times in my life. You know, that 'can't take one more bite or I will explode' feeling. Post-band, I've learned to really tune into my body and recognize my full signal. Using the smaller plate helps me feel like I'm eating a full meal like everyone else.

Thanks for your support everyone. It's a great place to be and the weight is coming off nicely. I should be at goal shortly if this keeps up . I was sitting on the couch lat night watching a movie by myself and was restless. Couldn't understand why. I think it was because I wasn't munching on something. I found I had to surf the net on my iPad while watching the movie so I could distract myself from my head. My stomach clearly was satisfied. My head...not so much.