It's been 1 month post op after having the lapband procedure done. So far I'm down 14 lbs and 3.5 inches. I'm on regular food now and so far, knock on wood, I have never been "stuck". I only eat 1/2-1 cup of food at at time and chew, chew,chew. I can eat toasted wheat bread, thin crust pizza, steamed veggies, etc. I try to take at least 15-20 min to eat for a meal. My first fill isn't until the end of Feb., but I was told they put 3 cc in my band when it was put in. My main goal everyday is to eat at least 80 grams of protein and get 6-8 cups of water. I was told that I'm insulin resistant, so I have really avoided sugar and carbs as much as possible. I do have a small piece of dark chocolate here and there or sometimes i have a weight watchers ice cream popsicle. Because I've always had such a hard time losing weight I'm happy if the scale at least moves a little every week. I'm trying not to put that much emphasis on how much I lose every week, just that I am. That's more than what I could accomplish before the band. I have started exercising this week and am aiming for 4 days. I've got two down. The biggest difference I see so far with the band is that it does require me to learn to eat slower and of course smaller bites. The other thing that has helped is I don't get that hungry feeling very often, so that in and of it's self is a big help in staying on track.

It's a journey! Feel free to email me if you have any questions! I'm also on myfitnesspal.com, userid Khelm31.

Congrats you are doing great! I hope to be where you are in a month. I am two days post op. I too had 3cc put in during surgery. I like that u can still eat thin crust pizza. Do you feel restriction yet or what helps you to stop eating after a small portion?

So happy for you, khelm, and you, too, Secret. Yippee! It's very exciting tracking with people over time -- the pre-op and now here you both are on the other side. I am three months out and we are all new together. This is going to be our year of healthy change.

So good to see you're getting this so early. Congrats.

It sounds like you're doing a great job and that you really get it. Congrats on your success so far! I'll send you a MFP request, I've been wanting more friends. If anyone else reads this and wants to friend me to my user id is lleepers.

Good Luck ,so inspired by all the people on this forum

Congrats you are doing great! I hope to be where you are in a month. I am two days post op. I too had 3cc put in during surgery. I like that u can still eat thin crust pizza. Do you feel restriction yet or what helps you to stop eating after a small portion?

I try to take 15-20 min eating. I chew everything until it's liquid almost. The nurses I work with told me about a soft stop. These are ques your body gives you telling you are full before you actually feel full. It is different for everyone. Mine is I either hiccup or my nose runs. This goes for non banded people as well, we just ignore these signs and wait to have the full feeling from our stomach. With the band you want to stop before then. I eat and when I have one of those signs I stop. I've never really felt restriction per se. I don't think I want to. I was told to gauge whether I need a fill based on how long I can go before I'm hungry again. 4 hours is the standard. I'm not scheduled for my 1st fill until the end of this month but am still not getting hungry a lot.