I was banded 2 1/2 weeks ago (July 13th). I have finally graduated to mushies!!! Right now, it's a small taste of heaven to me after a week of clear liquids, then a week of full liquids. I don't get a fill for another 2 1/2 weeks and I can definitely eat more than I should be. I have been trying to be such a "good girl" and follow my nutritionist's diet exactly, which is only 3 meals a day. He only wants me eating about 4 oz. at a time, but I can eat between 6 - 8 oz. (3 oz. chicken, 3 oz. mashed potatoes, 2 oz. peas for example) and still be hungry. I stop eating, but I am definitely still hungry. I read that this is supposed to be a time for healing and adjusting to my band rather than concentrating on "dieting", so I'm not sure the best way to handle things. Is it better to eat until I'm actually full and only have the 3 meals or is it better to eat the 4 oz. at a time and eat more often? I'm not having anything to drink for an hour or more after I eat, so it's hard enough to time that. I'm trying to do things right - what advice do you guys have?

It really is a matter of which philosophy you buy into. It is a time of healing so some higher calorie intake is allowed. For instance, you could have a thick shake as a snack when you are really hungry. Mine were made with a Protein drink instead of milk. It was a way for me to get a little more protein in.

I think it is a good idea to control the volume of food you eat at any one time. This takes some self control, which is hard when you are hungry. Try waiting 15 to 30 minutes after your meal. If you are really hungry eat a little more.

If you can control what you are taking in for the next 2 week then the fill will take over. It will give you some restriction and help with the hunger.

Right now you are wide open and probably don't have much swelling. It makes it difficult because you "think" you are hungry and your able to eat.

Bottom Line, try to follow your doctor's instructions. That way they can help you if you get into trouble or need their assistance.

It is a time for healing, but you are also banded. You must learn a new way of eating and there's no time like the present.

Good luck on your journey

IMHO if you're eating good foods, and it sounds like you are, then you should eat until you feel satisfied...not "full". (What Jack said about satiety.) I do not believe in a standard serving size for bandsters...some talk about limiting yourself to 1/2 c. or so per meal...some people must be satisfied after that amount, but it just doesn't do it for me! We're all different and when I first started I felt bad that I could eat more than 1/2 c. at a time until my doctor said "so what". He said that if the food you're eating is good, healthy food then eat until you feel satisfied. Those two words made me feel a whole heck of a lot better about this whole "serving size" myth! But...I agree...it's up to you and your doctor to decide the methods that will work best for you.

Thank you all for your wisdom!

my doc has always been into slow weight loss tho a lot lose faster. his goal is to be eating 1/3 less rather then a specific amount. and thanks to jack for an a-ha moment for me - i really got some insight into eating until satisfied rather then full cuz i'm never full until i'm stuffed. however, i'm learning what satisfied or satiety is and boy that's a tough one cuz it just never seems to be enough -lol

Jack....wise words indeed. So wise, in fact....and an "ah ha" moment for me too....that I printed it out and will post it somewhere. Thanks for sharing that.

I'm being banded in about two weeks and thought maybe the miracle of "fullness" would occur in my life. No such luck, eh? I love the idea of satiety, though. It's a mind thing not a body thing.

I saw this on my nutritonist's desk. "Three bites. The first for taste. The second to make sure the first one was as good as you thought. The third of satiety."