So after the band, what contributes to your success? I know the restriction is there but do you count calories and how many do you allow yourself a day 1000/1200/2000? Or high protein/ low carb? Or since the band gives restriction, do you just eat whatever and just get full a lot faster?

My dr said just watch your calories... I'm curious what everyone else does.

I ate Protein first mostly but didn't do low carb. I didn't count calories, I didn't do low fat. I just let the band help manage my portions (and tell me what it didn't like on occasion), I exercised and I ate a balanced diet. And I got fills til I was in the green zone.

With that I lost 130% of my excess weight.

That's how I did it, but it doesn't mean everyone should do it that way, of course.

I count calories and have since the day I got home from the hospital. I also make sure I get in at least 60g of Protein daily and never eat more than a cup of food per meal.

I do not do the whole low carb fad. In fact, I don't even track carbs. Counting calories is enough.

I've lost 216 pounds in 17 months and I'm still losing. For me, this is what works.

I'm still new at this, but I count my Protein and calories everyday. I average about 80g of protein. I watch my fat since I am only 7weeks out from surgery. I usually concentrate on filling my 1/2 cup with mostly protein. My calories average 600-700 a day. (I haven't had any red meat yet) My weight loss seems to have slowed down since I added "extra" carbs into my diet. (ie, special K crackers) But, I am still losing, and happier adding some carbs back in to my diet.

I guess we are all different, but I think the common thread is we must count/keep track of something to help monitor what we are consuming in a day.

I went through periods of tracking with FitDay... It helped me stay focused. Overall though high value calories are the best fuel and exercise is a must long term.

Brad

ps... Shout out to Lellow, my fellow Aug. 2008 bandster!

So after the band, what contributes to your success? I know the restriction is there but do you count calories and how many do you allow yourself a day 1000/1200/2000? Or high protein/ low carb? Or since the band gives restriction, do you just eat whatever and just get full a lot faster?

My dr said just watch your calories... I'm curious what everyone else does.

eating more calories than one burns off will make one gain weight...so i make sure i do not eat more then my body can burn off...3500 calories is a pound (ate or drank high or low carb, all vegan,caveman or whatever the case may be)..its not about dieting.....its about eating better quality food that is good for us.....its simple really..

myself, i eat lean Protein, veggies and fruit and drink alot....and that is it....and i eat my allotted amount ONLY....the band wont let me eat more than i am suppose too...i am sure if i tried and pushed the boundary i could (have read on this forum people testing the waters and claiming they have no restriction and eat whatever and however much they want)..and they are the ones posting what am i doing wrong or the band isnt working..

the dr and the nutritionist offer you a suggestion at how much to eat (it varies) but my dr said 1 cup (sometimes its 1 1/2) but no more than that.....i also choose not to eat processed, rice/pasta/potatoes because that works for me...the calories i eat are good for me and i make it count..

you do what works for you and understand that it boils down to one thing, to lose weight, you must not eat more calories than one can burn off..

nothing more and nothing less

It REALLY depends on your personality and your individual body. I simply suck at counting calories. I do much better when I do a high protein / high fat diet. I feel full, stay full, and lose weight. Also, when I eat I eat my protein first. So say I had a steak and potato, I eat the steak first and the potato second. That way I'm making sure to fill up on the protein. I used to eat a more round robin style where I'd eat some of this, then some of that. Now I always hit the protein first and fill up on whatever the sides are.