I'm 6 months post op and I have lost 30 pounds. I was hoping I would lose more quickly but for me it has been a very slow process. I try to keep my calories between 1200-1300 per day but I am at a plateau that I can't seem to get past. Just curious to see what some of you successful bandsters are consuming. Thanks!

I'm 7 months post op and have lost 70 lbs. I exercise 3x a week and usually eat between 1200-1300 cals. If u aren't exercising try to add that and see if u lose more. But everyone is different I lost a lot at first but the past 4 months a lb here and there but it adds up. Good luck!

Plateaus are normal though extremely frustrating. I've been dealing with a month long one myself.

I eat around 1200 calories a day

I am a little over 10 months post op. I eat between 500-600 calories a day and exercise 7 days a week for 1-1 1/2 hours a day. I am down 129 pounds with about 35 more to go.

If you are stalled, either change up your exercise and do different types of exercise. Sometimes your body just gets used to what you are doing! Or, try eating less for a couple days. Are you tracking what you are eating and exercising? If you use something like MyFitnessPal.com it will tell you how much you should expect to lose in five weeks. Very motivating!

I was told to keep between 1000 and 1200 calories and to exercise at least 3 x a week.

I am going to start aqua fit next week.

I do aqua fit 3-5 days, love it!

It is amazing how doctors/NUTs are so diff on food intake! Keep up the good work. You will love the aqua fit!

I am 20lbs to goal and I am going to do something with this stomach after the first of the year. Here is my question dilemma, what ever you want to call it. The top part of my stomach is flat but the bottom part hangs a bit and is wide and I know that even with 20 more pounds it is not going to go. I really do not want a full tummy tuck because I really don't think I need it and a paniculectomy is way less money and to just get rid of that part would make me happy. I am tired of wearing long shirts just to cover that part up. Im not really fat anymore anywhere else. I went from a 50 DD to a 44 c so I am happy even if they are sagging lol. My legs are like sticks and my arms too. Its just that ole hang over that is annoying the crap out of me. I wear spanx to hide it but I know its there. What say you?

I ate 1000 calories a day for 23 months and lost 215 lbs. I am 2 lbs from goal and 12 lbs from what may be an unrealistic goal but I am more in maintaining mode now...so my calories are about 1200.... It's really hard for me to eat much more than that

my dr never told me to count calories at all. I had surgery over 2 months ago. I have had two fills already. My problem is I am not really feeling full.

I do feel like I could eat and eat....just like b4. I stop cause my food is measured and when its gone its gone. Do you think I should tell the dr. he is not filling me enough?????

my dr never told me to count calories at all. I had surgery over 2 months ago. I have had two fills already. My problem is I am not really feeling full.

I do feel like I could eat and eat....just like b4. I stop cause my food is measured and when its gone its gone. Do you think I should tell the dr. he is not filling me enough?????

my doctor never told me to count calories either. Nov. 13th I will be 5 mos post op and I'm down 43 lbs, probably should be more but I'm proud of that number. He told me to eat regular foods just in moderation, as in 1 cup. I go this Thurs don't know if he will put any Fluid in or not as I do feel restriction, well, I get full I mean and only get hungry about every 4 to 4 1/2 hrs, don't know if thats normal or not but will ask him. You might just need some more in your band.

I ate 1000 calories a day for 23 months and lost 215 lbs. I am 2 lbs from goal and 12 lbs from what may be an unrealistic goal but I am more in maintaining mode now...so my calories are about 1200.... It's really hard for me to eat much more than that

I always like to read your responses and they are always helpful. Glad they made this post.. what kind of exercise do you do and how often? you look great

I never counted a calorie... still don't .My Dr told me to eat my protein first like 1/2 a cup then 1/4 of vegtables or fruit. I was full, Sometimes I had to struggle to eat that. When I couldn't get veggies in I drank V8 juice. I ate really slow and I enjoyed what I ate.I don't know that I got 1200 cals a day . I lost my weight in the first 10 monthes at a rate of 10 lbs a month . I had one protein shake a day in the AM and took my vitamins. My teeth did not fall out nor did my hair .

For a treat I had a lemon ice or a sugar free pudding or a warm cinnamon applesauce always in the premeasured little snack packs. My Dr approved of these snacks.

Post weight loss I eat what I want .... but food just isn't that big of a thrill, I still savor the taste and a little bit goes a long way, but you get to the point where you know whats good and whats empty calories and you pick and choose what you want. I use to inhale/eat a lot a lot and never tasted it or enjoyed it now I eat slow and if I eat something thats calling to me it's a treat not a daily thing.

my doctor never told me to count calories either. Nov. 13th I will be 5 mos post op and I'm down 43 lbs, probably should be more but I'm proud of that number. He told me to eat regular foods just in moderation, as in 1 cup. I go this Thurs don't know if he will put any Fluid in or not as I do feel restriction, well, I get full I mean and only get hungry about every 4 to 4 1/2 hrs, don't know if thats normal or not but will ask him. You might just need some more in your band.

Pretty sure that is normal. The info I got from my surgeon says if I have the proper fill I should be able to go 4 hours without being hungry.

I usually stop before I am full. I eat half cup meals 3 times a day. I find a nice cup of decaf helps me if I start getting hungry or I get up and do something. The nurse told me some people are just always hungry. I can't say my meals make me feel full for 4 hours. I just find ways to deal with it or have a small snack like jello, v8,coffee also I drink tons of water and crystal light. It never hurts to check with the doctor if you feel something is wrong or not working right.

I have had my lapband for 2 years but only just got back on track a week ago. I allow myself 2000 calories a day, but I never eat that much. On a bad day I will eat about 1500. And good days I eat around 1000. But I would like to mention I currently have no restriction in my band so I'm eating as I normally would before I got my lapband. I also exercise every day (or two) for half an hour and that burns about 300-400 calories.

I am in the process of getting stricter with myself this week and will cut down those calories a bit more to try and average under 1000 a day

As for spreading them out in the day - I don't do that. I have 3 meals a day and because I get SO hungry at night time, I usually make sure i have a big dinner. And In the morning I don't like eating much so I usually have 3 eggs and a glass of skim milk or something like that.

Edit made*** Turns out my treadmill was lying to me! I am only burning half of the calories I thought - so I'm burning 300-400 a day

I was also told to never count calories as its not accurate, but I use it as a guideline and to just make sure I'm constantly remembering to make better choices and not eat whenever I want. So it helps me A LOT.

And of corse I use fitness pal to do this LOVE fitness pal

I had surgery on August 14. I eat between 500-600 calories a day and workout 5 or 6 times a week. I have lost 40 lbs since the day of my surgery. I do not get hungry very often. My doctor told me to only eat when I am hungry. I did have the plication so that may be why I can eat so few calories and be satisfied. Everybody does it differently. If it is working for you then keep doing it. Good luck everyone on your journey!!