Hi everyone. So here's my question to everyone here. I was banded feb of 2012. I've had a few fills. And have lost about 60 lbs. but one thing I've noticed is i have never felt full. I know that sounds odd, and I think it does as well. When I was banded with plication I always figured that I'd sit, eat a few bites, and feel full. I asked my doctor and was told- the lap band doesn't work that way. She said- it will help you by keeping you satisfied between meals. That you'd feel fuller longer on less food. So I watch what I eat. Have some bad days. And usually feel satisfied from meal to meal. Since I've been on this site I've met some great people. And have gotten great feedback. So I'm asking- how much can you eat if you honestly wanted to? Some people have said they can only eat a cup of food a day. I know I can eat more. I limit myself to 1000 calories a day. But know I could and have surpassed that. What does everyone think? Thanks all.

Thanks.

I've never measured or weighed my food or counted calories. It's why I had the surgery in the first place, so I'd never have to diet again. After my 3rd fill (the magic one), after just a few bites of food, I'd start to feel uncomfortable, like if I ate 1 more bite, I'd vomit. After a few months of feeling like that, I noticed I could eat more. So I had another fill. Worked like a charm. Didn't even see my dr for 18 mths following. As of last year, I had lost 104 lbs (in 2 yrs). Last year, I had a minor slip (from frequent vomiting) and I had some Fluid taken out (no surgery required) and my symptoms (severe reflux) ceased.

So, now I don't have the great restriction that I once had and notice myself counting calories a little more, since I'm obviously able to eat more. I've gained 21 lbs in the past year (and I was 9 lbs from my goal of 135 last year) and I'm working on portion control. I wish I felt that same "1 more bite and I'll bust" feeling. Actually, I feel my band until about 6pm, when I could eat the side of a barn!

I say do whatever works for you. I believe in "restriction" that some people don't - it's what's kept me from eating more than 1 pc of bacon in the past 3 yrs! And the feeling isn't "full" like Thanksgiving Full. It's more like a feeling of "if I eat 1 more bite, I will vomit" feeling. I don't think I've felt my pre band fullness in 3 1/2 yrs.

Oh, u asked how much can I eat if I wanted to? For Breakfast, I usually eat 1 egg and 1 pc of bacon. And I'm satsified. For lunch, it's usually 1/2 sandwich (haven't been able to eat a whole 1 since getting restriction) and maybe a small handful of grapes. dinner is usually 1/3 chicken breast, small spponfull of Pasta, and some broccoli. It's my nightime snacking thats gotten out of control since my slip. I'm making 1/2 pb and banana sandwiches at 10 pm. Or eating a Lean Cuisine at 9pm. Or even a can of Soup at 10 pm. I'm thankful that I can at least feel my band for part of the day!

Marci

Thank you Marci . I've never had that one more bite feeling. I'm good between meals for the most part. I just think I shouldn't be able to eat as much as I know I could if I didn't think about it. By the way, congrats. You've done great!!!

i eat 1/2 cup usually. have to be careful of the one bite to much. You don't feel full but satisfied.

I measure all my food so I don't go over one cup, however I rarely eat the whole cup because I don't need that much.

But...if I wanted to? I'm sure I could eat much more. I don't know how much though because I've never tested it (nor will I).

If it's slider food I'm sure I could eat tons.

Proper food and eating schedule - about a cup.

Grazing - endless, easily get through over 2000 calories in a day.

I have been reading around and have found that 1000 calories seems to be a common agreement. I am trying to limit my intake to that, and have started using myfitnesspal. It really works, since it shows me a daily log of what I am eating. And it has a large database of foods (I am Dominican, and have found several of our foods here). I refer my sis to it, she is not a wls patient, and she has adjusted her eating behavior and lost 3 pounds in about a week.

It depends on my body. EVERYDAY is totally different for me. Some days I can eat all day long. Other days like yesterday I only ate two meals which were a shrimp salad for lunch and chicken salad for dinner and I felt quite full. It was only a cup of lettuce both times with about three oz of meat and shredded cheese and a slice of tomato. But tomorrow I may awake starving like I haven't eaten in days. Weird!!!!

Gosh this is a great post! I had my surgery last April 2012, and I'm down about 60ish pounds. I probably really need to get myself back into the doctor for a fill, but I'm pretty close to good restriction and I've been super busy, so I missed last month.

I'd say, most mornings I can't really eat breakfast, but I could drink a large coffee. Over the last few weeks I have found that I can eat some eggs or oatmeal or bacon, which to me says I probably need to go in for a fill.

By lunchtime I'm still usually too tight for a real meal. So I often have soup. I can have one cup of a chunky soup like a turkey chili, or about 2 cups of a thinner soup like a cream of broccoli or tomato soup. On a tight day, I absolutely can't have more than a cup. On a looser day I can sometimes have piece of bread with it.

dinner is tougher… I'm a binge eater, which is why I got the surgery.

If I order something carb-like, like fried rice or Pasta and meatballs, then I can Usually eat a normal size dinner. That's definitely more than a cup. I say maybe 2 to 2 1/2 cups if I eat slowly and let the rice go down as I eat. I guess these are slider foods, and I guess by eating like this I am eating around the band technically.

If I order "band diet" then I find it probably can only eat about three quarters of a cup.

Last night I went out for sushi, I was able to eat 6 very small pieces of sushi (four were fish roe, so smaller in physical size) and 4 super thin slices of sashimi. I was STUFFED. All told, the meal was about the size of my fist and maybe an extra finger.

But again, I feel like I need a very slight fill. The last few times I've been getting .1 added at a time. When I'm tighter, I don't think about food. When I'm looser, I think about food constantly.

But I never, ever feel like I have a good sense of how much I can eat in advance. I still always over order.

Much more than I need.