I think I've finally done it. It's been over a year, but I think I'm finally in the green zone. But, wow, this is not what I expected. The veil has been lifted, and I'm starting to realize that being here is no more of a magic wand than just getting a band was. Oh, don't get me wrong; this is exactly where I want to be. It's much better than yellow, and I don't ever want to experience red, so I wouldn't trade this for the world, but that doesn't mean I don't need to exert any effort any more. For me, this is what the GZ means:

1) one cup of food keeps me satisfied for about 4 hours after eating,

2) when I finish 1 cup of food, I am absolutely done. The idea of eating any more makes me uncomfortable.

3) 1 cup may occasionally be too much! I still struggle with the idea that if I'm allowed to eat 1 cup, I should eat the entire cup. After all, haven't I always wanted to eat every bite I possibly can? But now, I need to remember that I should only eat what I need, and that if I eat more, not only could I hurt my entire WLS process, but I'm that much more likely to be uncomfortable and to feel mild heartburn. I hate hb. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can be physically damaging as well. (No, I'm not too tight. Already cleared this info with my surgeon's office)

4) even in the GZ, I still have a lot to learn. I don't know it all, and with a lot of things, reading about them is totally different from experiencing them for myself.

5) this process will be part of my life for the REST of my life.

That last one I already knew, but sometimes I need the reminder!

So to anyone who despairs of ever finding the green zone, or who turns it into the holy grail in your mind, just keep what I've said in the back of your mind and remember that your journey is going to be as unique as you are. Just because something isn't perfect doesn't mean it's not right for you!

Wow!!! Wonderful! I am at my fourth fill, and I am not sure that I have quite reached the Utopia that you have achieved!!!

I am envious! Congratulations! Can you give us some idea of how you knew you finally reached the ideal GREEN zone?

Thanks for posting that

I am envious! Congratulations! Can you give us some idea of how you knew you finally reached the ideal GREEN zone?

It was a combination of things, and a dawning realization, really. My goal was to get to the point where my 1 cup meal would keep me satisfied for 4 hours. I always planned to consider that my green zone, but honestly, it wasn't just that. It was also realizing that I honestly could NOT eat more than that at a sitting without making myself uncomfortable.

It also had to do with how HUGE a difference my 0.25cc fill made. It's the smallest fill I've had and the one with the most impact. The difference was so remarkable that I feel like if I got anything else added, I would go immediately into the red zone and would be extremely uncomfortable, heartburny, and unable to eat healthy foods. Plus, of course I talked with my surgeon's office and we discussed the impact of this fill. They agree that I'm at the right fill level now, so it's up to me to make this work and start really taking off the weight!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! It will be a yr for me on April25 I'm not there yet can't wait until I do get there