Okay, I get EXTREMELY hungry about every 2 hours, but I also get stuck every easily. I can't eat much but I just feel like I'm always hungry. I don't want a fill because I already get stuck (often and easily). But I do want a fill beause I'n eating too much (1200-1400 a day). I eat healthy foods, no junk food, just too much healthy food....protein shakes, greek yogert, fish, chicken, etc. Has anyone else ever experienced this? What to do?

I know what you mean however, if ur eating healthy and consuming around 1200-1400 calories a day, that's not too much. You are just right. Sometimes your body gets adapted and if you aren't exercising or switching up your exercise routine, you're gonna stay around the same. Also, if you're eating your last meal late at night, that could be a problem too. Hope this helps.

If your eating to fast , too much at one time or too big a bite, could be causing you to feel stuck.

Yes --- I have been there and there's a few things that can easily cause this problem: 1) taking too much food into the mouth, 2) not chewing well enough ---- chew, chew, chew and then chew some more, 3) certain types of food --- more common are dense foods like dry chicken, bread, pasta, 3) drinking protein or soups or too soft of food instead of solid food (fluids and soft foods go through the pouch very quickly. Band is design for solid food), 4) eating solid food and washing it down with fluid. Always wait about an 1hr before drinking after eating. 5) Having too tight of a band -- that causes swelling around band. If that is the case, you may have to let some fill out to let swelling rest. Try the 5 day pouch test and follow it strictly. Don't mix food and fluid. If that doesn't work --- see your surgeon.

After reading your replies, I am thinking that perhaps I'm not chewing enough because I'm waiting until I'm too hungry (today I was shaking) and then I eat too quickly. I'm thinking that I don't chew enough and that causes me to get stuck. Just a spoonful of rice or 2 bites of toast will cause me to get stuck, so I mostly avoid those foods, but many other foods cause me to get stuck too. chicken is a little bit easier, but still a challenge. I feel like I don't know WHAT foods to eat. I've been banded for 4 months and some days I do okay, and other days I just don't know what to do.

Do you have any suggstions for foods that don't make you get stuck easily, but also do not slide right through? Fish is one of those foods for me, but I need something that's faster and more "on the go."

Part of the problem is that I'm constantly in a hurry, due to my schedule and the schedules of my kiddos, and I rarely have time to eat a normal meal. Sadly, slowing down just isn't going to happen, so I need to learn to eat with what I've got, so to speak.

Thanks for your words of wisdom and suggestions.

Reading your last post answered the getting stuck on food. Two bites of toast is way to much at one time, a spoon full is too big. A teaspoon full is the amount you should be taking at a time and its important to slow right down, chew well, swallow, wait a minute for the food to pass through and only then take another bite. Your bites should be about the size of a finger nail.

I'm at green zone and I can eat everything with no stuck episodes unless I take too big of a bite.

There are some foods some can tolerate and others can't, it's an individual thing so it will be trial and error for you.

Try not to let yourself get too hungry, that way you won't be tempted to take too big a bite. Slow right down and see if that helps.

You say sadly slowing down us not an option, sorry to say this but you have no choice but to slow down your eating unless you want to keep getting stuck episodes constantly.

I have three kids, run my own business and a big house to keep clean. When it comes to me eating I can squish in the twenty mins I need to for myself. If you have a partner tell him to watch the kids while you eat in peace. The food part is about planning ahead and that helps immensely.

I like turkey jerky as an on the go protein option. I just make sure to pre-portion the jerky in 1.5oz bags because it's easy to overeat. 1.5oz is 120 cal and about 20g protein.

The more I sit here and think about it, the more I realize that I need to do 2 things:

1. Chew better

2. Eat better

I can do the chew better part.

As far as Eat better goes, I need to

1. Not let myself get so hungry

2. Stop eating slider foods so much and eat more substantial foods.

I've also really realized that I don't know what to eat, so your food suggestions are VERY helpful! THANK YOU!!

It takes a while to get the hang if it all. You are right about the slider food part, sliders don't work with the band you need the right textured foods to be squeezed through the band so it can send those messages to your brain to trick it into believing you're full. Also Protein keeps you full longer.

What I always do is always have canned tuna or canned Beans in my pantry and if I'm limited with time to cook myself chicken, eggs, fish etc I quickly make a yummy tuna, tomato and onion salad with just a drizzle of olive oil, you meet the texture and protein requirement.

Have you seen a nutritionist? If not maybe a couple of meetings with one to guide you how to eat with a band might be a good idea.

I only had two appointments because it was part of my aftercare program but if I have any issues or queries she is always available via email or phone.

It's just a matter of fine tuning your diet and knowing what to always eat and once you've got that sorted it does make things a lot easier.

Do a search on the Internet for high protein foods, print it out and refer to it, I've done this and have it stuck on my fridge.

Thanks for that advice, Summerrian, and everyone else too! I googled the high Protein list! Why didi't I think of that? I think I've gotten in a rut.

I just remembered a few foods I can eat, enjoy and be satisfied with (I think)!

Today I'm going to the store and I'm going to buy: Sliced turkey, cottage cheese, peanutbutter, pinto Beans, and some tomatoes to add interest to my tuna (which I had become VERY sick of).

I'm feeling better already!

I was also discouraged because I'm at a welightloss standstill. I've been banded for 4 months, have lost just over 30 pounds, but have not lost anyting for almost 6 weeks. I have a feeling that mixing it up will help.

I'd still love to have food ideas. I have the list, but would like to hear your spin on the protein foods, or the way you combine foods.

You are welcome, glad I could be of some help.

I've taken a picture of one of my tuna salads (because it looked so pretty and colorful lol) when I get on my comp later ill post it.

If you can find some time google high Protein recipes, there are so many, I sifted through a lot and picked the ones that were around the 300 calories and printed them out and made my own cookbook for the times I'm at a loss as to what to cook.

Another if my favs is prawns ( think you guys call them shrimp). I buy a kilo if the frozen green ones and take out as many as I need for a meal. Defrost , rinse them, put them in a bowl with a bit of garlic, sprinkle of chilli flakes, fresh or dried chives and just a teeny bit if olive oil, cover put in fridge till I need to cook them. It takes only a few minutes to stir fry them over high heat and I toss them over a garden salad. ( that's if you can eat lettuce other wise stirfry with other vegetables).

You may also need a fill if you're getting hungrier between meals.

Ill post some of my recipes for you later also.

Btw you've done fantastic with your weightloss so far.