When I was out for lunch today watching my friends eat Bread and Butter (yum) and all the appetizers on the menu it got me to thinking how do most of you survive this on a weekly or daily basis. It is just my hubby and I at home so it is not too hard, I am sure that most of you have young children to feed that do not eat the same items as you do.

For myself when we eat out with friends I always ask for a small bowl of crotons (they are free )to munch on with my one glass of wine. That way I do not miss having the bread or the appetizers, it also helps me get that crunch I miss from other foods.

Will be interested to know what other tips you all have came up with to help out our wee friend the band. Hugs J

I just allow myself small portions of whatever it is I'm wanting. For instance, my boyfriend and daughter both really like fried cheese and often get it as an appetizer. I just have one piece and leave the rest for them. If we're somewhere like Red Lobster, and they have the delicious cheddar biscuits, I allow myself just one.

For me, the key is moderation not deprivation.

I agree eat a little of what you want, beats a bowl of croutons. Remember, it is also about being satisfied. At dance class last night my friends ordered nachos and brocolli cheddar bites. I opted for two brocolli cheddar bites and a 1/4 of a club sandwich for my dinner. I just make sure I count everything!

Missy, I couldn't have said it better myself

If I eat slowly enough and stop when i'm satisfied I don't run into problems. For instance, just this week I tried out a new place with a freind and got a beef sandwich. I am trying to carb cycle and was on a low carb day. I ate the sliced beef without the bread and had a small amount of the cole slaw on the side. I had no issues pushing away the bread. If I would've tried to eat it I doubt it would have went down easily. I did not feel deprived or unsatisfied

Am I supposed to stay hungry before my first fill? I feel like I could eat as much if whatever I want to eat. The only reason my portions are small is because I do chew each bite for 30 seconds and wait 30 seconds to take my other bite so by the time I eat a dessert plate size portion I am done but I never feel full. I'm just hoping that once I get my fill I will get that full filling sensation... any suggestions???

feeling somewhat the same way and looking forward to hearing some answers

Am I supposed to stay hungry before my first fill? I feel like I could eat as much if whatever I want to eat. The only reason my portions are small is because I do chew each bite for 30 seconds and wait 30 seconds to take my other bite so by the time I eat a dessert plate size portion I am done but I never feel full. I'm just hoping that once I get my fill I will get that full filling sensation... any suggestions???

Am I supposed to stay hungry before my first fill? I feel like I could eat as much if whatever I want to eat. The only reason my portions are small is because I do chew each bite for 30 seconds and wait 30 seconds to take my other bite so by the time I eat a dessert plate size portion I am done but I never feel full. I'm just hoping that once I get my fill I will get that full filling sensation... any suggestions???

It could be along time before you reach the green and aren't hungry between meals. It took me along time, many fills and when I did feel like I was in the green I was too tight and had to have some removed. But I stick to my portion sizes for my meals and rarely eat more than I should for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I know what you mean about wanting to feel that full sensation. That was one thing I missed at first, before the band I would always eat until I was stuffed! Now I am happy when I can walk away from a meal knowing that I ate what I should have and I feel totally comfortable.

I am about 5 weeks post op. My appetite is back full force. I will get my first fill on Wednesday. I did well up to this week and now all my willpower has up and left. I sure hope I get a little help from my fill. I am one of those people who just does not feel full like most which is why I opted for the lap band. I liked the idea of feeling full. I have been able to stay under 1200 calories but today I went over. It just feels like failure all over again. I was so disappointed to hear the fill may not help.

Am I supposed to stay hungry before my first fill? I feel like I could eat as much if whatever I want to eat. The only reason my portions are small is because I do chew each bite for 30 seconds and wait 30 seconds to take my other bite so by the time I eat a dessert plate size portion I am done but I never feel full. I'm just hoping that once I get my fill I will get that full filling sensation... any suggestions???

I don't think your supposed to feel full. From what my dr said full means you've eaten too much. You should just not feel hungry anymore.

Really!! The last 4 weeks I felt satisfied with very little food. I guess I am more thinking satisfied rather than full. This week I just feel hungry. I have to figure out a way to get rid of the head hunger. I wonder if hypnosis would help with that?

Really!! The last 4 weeks I felt satisfied with very little food. I guess I am more thinking satisfied rather than full. This week I just feel hungry. I have to figure out a way to get rid of the head hunger. I wonder if hypnosis would help with that?

I find if I'm hungry for a snack I have lite jelly or lemon Water it usually subsides but if you feel hungry after a short time you probs need a fill

I feel the same, I've been banded two weeks ago, today was my first day back to soft regular food and boy I was hungry all day, I could not hold up more then 2.5 hours . I hope it gets better and I learn to control my hunger, can't wait for my first fill

This is why exercise is my lifeline. I feel a lot less guilt and anxiety about indulging in some dessert or bread, knowing that I've gotten a hard workout in that day. I never allow myself to eat junk in my house, but if I am out with friends, I let myself enjoy it in moderation. I just track everything I eat and make up for it the next day.

I don't think your supposed to feel full. From what my dr said full means you've eaten too much. You should just not feel hungry anymore.

I like your Dr. !!!!! I have NEVER felt full.....feeling full is what I used to feel when I stuffed myself and had to unsnap my pants button....it is impossible to feel that ever again....plus, if you overfill your band you are going to feel PAIN...and probably spit it all up.....unless of course you have no restriction...

What the band does is send a signal to your brain telling it you are full....as though you were, but you're not so you never feel full....another way to describe it is you are "Satisfied" and have "No Interest" in eating any further, if at all.....

This did not happen to me the day after surgery....it took months and fills to get there...the "Green Zone".....and even when I did get there it took me a another 1-2 months to figure out what was happening and adapt to it and learn to live and eat a different way....

As far as eating out, it's like this for me.....

The band is only going to allow me to eat just so much....limit my portions for me....so I need to make the best of it and choose my foods wisely....skip the appetizers, unless they are my meal, and no bread...no sense in blowing my allotment on something not nourishing....

I order what I want (that I can eat without a problem = Band Friendly) and eat as much as I can = as much as the band will allow me.....auto portion sizes.....keep in mind that all this time I am not really hungry so I have no desire to eat in the first place.....

So it all really does not matter.......and it is all not that big of deal.......

Thank you, All of this is really good information. B-52 that describes exactly how I want to feel in fact for the first couple of weeks I did and it was very helpful in weight loss. I have started to do some light exercising but the port prevents me from going full on. It begins to hurt and pull. How long does that last?

Well said B-52.

No strenuous exercise for first six weeks. Then you should be good to go on anything unless you have other issues. Check with your doctor. I still felt tired for the first two months. Take it slow and work your way up.