This is going to require a lot of honesty from everyone, but I am wondering if I am the only one struggling to eat. I had my surgery June 14, 2013. I am losing weight at a nice and steady pace and I think my restriction is probably just right, but I still haven't figured out how or what to eat. Of course the things that are not great (chocolate, ice cream) seem to go down, but I find myself craving Protein and veggies. I have been taking Vitamins and sipping warm tea in the morning which is helping, but I could really use some additional suggestions and tips. My doctor reminds me constantly eat slower and I even use the 30 second time, but I find myself spitting up more often than not. Not to worry, we checked my band and everything is good, but it's just so annoying that I can't seem to get the hang of "eating like a lap bander".

I am 3 months post op now and 3 fills. I have not gotten stuck yet or spit up. I can eat what ever I want, but I don't. I avoid all breads and pastas. I focus on meat, veggies and sometimes cheese. I lose about 5-6 lbs a month. I do not consume artificial sweeteners at all. I only drink water and matcha tea. I have heard that artificial sweeteners can trick your metabolism.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I'm eating pretty much the same. I guess it's when my band is a little too tight it throws me off. We found out something interesting about my band. We may have the restriction set just right (I don't have much in there - 3 or 4 cc), but over the course of a few weeks or if I'm traveling a lot, the bands seems to tighten by itself. Weird but true, but at least we know the physical reason I struggle with eating what are normally good choices.

This happens to me also. PMS, too much salt, allergies seem to make the band tighter. On these days I take the 2-3 bites and then stop. I do something else until I feel like I can eat more. Now this may seem like grazing which we are advised not to do. But I've measured out the amount of food and counted the calories and only do this on tight days. So sure it might take an hour of a few bites here, a few bites there to eat. But if I didn't do this I would get hungry and then try to eat too much too fast and get stuck. So maybe try stopping at that first twinge of feeling stuck?

I eat just about anything I want... Except bread and soda. If I want steak I have learned to eat medium well, small bites and chew til my jaw falls off. If I want ice cream I only have a little bit (what I use to call a taste is now a serving)

My band has been empty for a month now and I'm still down 8 pounds. Banded 8/3/13

You have to be too tight. There are some things I cant eat but its not always. If you are puking all the time when you eat certain things then you are too tight. You cant live off of soup and chili and expect to be healthy especially if you are not drinking Protein drinks. You are going to lose muscle and then you will be in big problems because once you lose muscle you can not get it back no matter how much you work out. Do yourself a favor and go get some of that Fluid out of your band before you end up with another eating disorder called bulimia.

I can eat most things except dry chicken (fried) but I recently had a fill and I am really careful or I will get stuck. It is difficult to learn to slow down and chew well. My nutritionist and Dr. would prefer we stay away from Protein shakes all the time. They want me to learn to eat like a normal person as much as possible. I do shakes when I have to after a fill or if I can in a super hurry and need some protein. I make smoothies sometimes with banana, Peanut Butter and Protein powder with silk soy milk. it's a good source of protein and taste good too. otherwise I stay away from things like pizza, Pasta, Rice .. I do eat potatoes now and again but very small amounts. I feel good and I take all of my required Vitamins so I have tons of energy.