This is actually late, since I discovered this about 3 weeks ago. But for newbies this could be helpful - trial and error is not fun when it comes to the band and if I can avoid pain and aggrivation for at least one person, I'm happy.

No matter how much you've measured your food, there are times when you don't need to eat what you have prepared for yourself. Knowing when you are satisfied on the band can be tricky and it only takes 1 or 2 bites over that amount to cause adverse affects. For me, my "soft stop" is an involuntary sigh or I take a deep breath. If I hiccough, I know I've eaten too much at that point and I can almost be certain that I'm going to be uncomfortable for a while. It is hard not to want to finish your food - it's often just a tiny bit left and you think to yourself "oh, it's only a couple of bites left - I'll just finish it" - don't do that, just let it go and be happy that you can't eat as much as you though you could.

Thanks so much! I am pre-band and it is fascinating to hear about the whole soft stop concept -- the way our bodies are talking to us and we just need to find the signals and LISTEN.

Mine is when I feel like i have a huge burp coming...but I can't burp it's just my soft stop! Thanks for sharing =)

My soft stop is a sigh or a yawn

Hiccups!!!

Thanks for sharing mine is a sigh or burp 2 months out 1 fill and I get it it took me a few days to figure it out. But I like that signal it's crazy to even leave one bite but I do and am so proud.

My soft stop is the hiccups, or my nose start running,

I am also pre band, in the four month insurance Hell Zone (insert deep, echoing voice, here) and reading and learning as much as I can in this period. This is great information. Thanks for sharing it.