I was wondering do you think that if I purchased mini or child size silverware it would help me regulate portions per bite? Has anyone tried this? I truly want to succeed but I think I need all the help I can get.

Tom, that's a great idea! Tell us more please?

I use a small fork and salad plate. when I 1st started out, I did use a small spoon and fork that I had left over from when my grands were babies. I used them for awhile, you will get used to the size of bite shortly!

Lapband recipes Hints – “BANDSTER SIZE PORTIONS”

When I make most of the recipes I prepare them ahead of time and bake them in large muffin tins.

Once the meal is cooked in the muffin tins (for example Shepherds Pie, meatloaf, steel cut oats, etc.)... I freeze them in the tins... then pop them out and put them in small zip lock baggies in individual portions.

Make sure you spray the muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.

When I make things like Wendy’s Chili, Soups, or Pasta I freeze them in plastic single serving containers (perfect size band portion).

Below is a message that I've posted several times before but I think it's worth reposting for new bandsters.

I’m now entering my 8th year of being banded and have talked about this here several times but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters.

Try and take it one day at a time. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t go into this journey saying “I’ll never be able to eat this or that ever again.” I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Follow the guidelines given to you by your doctor. Remember… take tiny bites (the size of your pinky fingernail) and remember to finish what you have in your mouth before you take your next bite.

When I was losing weight I checked in every month with my family doctor to get weighed and measured. (I don’t own scales) I also attended three coffee groups for people that are banded. (I host them). These things really keep me motivated and on track. I still check in every month with my family doctor to get weighed-in and I host two coffee groups. For me support from fellow bandsters plays a big part in this journey.

Back when I was banded my family doctor and I came up with something called the “Egg Timer Distraction”. It’s kind of difficult to explain here but I’d be happy to email you the .pdf document. It REALLY helped me with “head hunger”. I can’t tell you the number of people in my lapband coffee groups over the years that have said how helpful this “trick” has been in dealing with their head hunger.

Also, I’m not really a “diet” book type person but I recommend you pick up two books.

Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle – by Dr. Michelle May

I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. May speak at a conference when she came to Toronto and her book and guidelines really work well with the lapband journey.

The second book is:

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite – by David L. Kessler

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions and also if you would like a copy of the “Egg Timer Distraction Document”. --- tomander@bell.net

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

tomander@bell.net

Excellent! Thank you Tom.

This is not a silly question at all. I have my surgery next Friday and I bought a package at Dollar Tree yesterday. Go for it, what can it hurt. Good luck.

,

EVH

I bought them at Cost Plus, World Market. Very inexpensive. It helps when you are eating and not thinking!