I am at my green zone for the second time (dilated the first time and had to have unfill). For the most part, I am loving it. I'm not hungry. It takes less than a cup for me to be satisfied and only 2 bites passed satisfied to be completely miserablly full. I take dice sized bites, chew for 30 seconds, and wait 45-60seconds between bites. My band is working and I am working with my band. It's great!

Why frustrated you ask?? It's been a week since my most recent adjustment that got me back to the green zone. I've pretty much had one meal a day for the last 8 days. I have long time banded friends that eat this way and it doesn't bother them.

Well - I find myself thinking more about food now than I did when I was hungry all the time!! I'm so focused on making sure that my one meal is worth eating that I'm starting to have trouble concentrating on other things. Sure, it'll eventually get better. But WTH do I do in the mean time?? It's only been a week and I'm so tired of focusing my entire day around my one meal - are there enough nutrients/protein? will it taste good? is it the flavor I really want? if I eat that, will I regret it and wish I'd had something else? Gah!!

*** On a positive note *** Head/boredom hunger is almost gone and so far I haven't felt the need to eat my emotions!

Well a year in & I do eat one meal a day & typically, that's fine... Don't even think about it. But sometimes, I get the same way. I just want to be able to eat more. It doesn't bother me like it did before. This battle is hugely mental, remember that. Good Luck!!

I'm not in the same groove as far as one meal a day -- I have my "brunch" mid-day and something 4-5 hours later then a little grazing (sigh). But I'm happy. And I'm glad I still really love food because I think it could have gone the other way with me. I was such a restrictor before. Now if I'm hungry, I eat. But I also love being "in" food. I am a cook and I apply my thinking about food to things I may only taste and that's enough for me. And I love presentation, so even my teensy "meal" is beautiful, maybe take up cooking, adopt an old lady and deliver a dish here and there? Or get a hobby. I garden like a crazy person. There's picking flowers and making little arrangements, finding veggies, etc. Some people love handwork -- knotting, etc. to keep busy. You are doing great!

Question. I am only 4 months out so still learning. If you are only eating one time a day and only one cup of food, how many calories and grams of protein are you getting a day? Are you drinking shakes to get the extra protein you need in?

I can only go by what my doctor's tells me... I should be satisfied for at least four hours, and they suggested eating up to four meals a day, while ensuring my protein intake for each meal was adequate for my nutritional needs. I am not a doctor, but I can't grasp how one can feel satisfied eating just one meal a day, and being able to meet the goals for calories and protein. The APRN told me 90 grams protein, and to keep at 1200 calories. That was based on my gender and other things.

If you are satisfied with a cup of food, and 2 bites afterwards to be what you cal "miserably full"... and you have no hunger, what is wrong with thinking about food?

I think about all sorts of things, things I am unable to have...then the thoughts pass....

If the band is restricting your food intake, think about it all you want...you are still unable to eat it...

I say this out of experience...like you, I am NEVER hungry, and when I do eat, it is very little until I cannot continue...although I have never felt "Full" as some people here describe....

I think about different foods, remember how good it tastes, and how enjoyable it was to eat it...

True story...I was fixated on the memory of this old recipe my mother used to make when I was growing up...old country food you just can't find in any restaurant....I went to the store, purchased all the things to make it....put it all together and roasted it in the oven for 2 hours....the house smelled wonderful.

Bottom line, when all was done, I ate, like you said, about a cup, if that, then realized it was not very band friendly...all that work and preparation and it wound up in the trash. I know better now.

I had a craving for a McDonalds Cheeseburger the other week...I have not had a cheeseburger in almost 4 years....went through the drive thru, bought one cheeseburger...took one bite and then threw the thing away...it will probably be another 4 years untill I try that again...

I have not had a solid Breakfast since being banded....only home made high Protein smoothies with fresh ingredients...lunch is always light, VERY LIGHT....more like a snack....so yes, dinner is my one meal a day...and even then, I don't eat much. My only thing I am sure to do is get my protein and Water requirements in...very important.

At times it would concern me perhaps I was not getting enough....but after all these years, I have never been healthier, more fit, and more energy I know what to do with.

I see 3 Dr.'s on a regular basis, including my cardiologist, and everyone of them cannot be more pleased with my status...

So think away...the band is still there doing it's job, and eventually, you will think less and less about the things you can't have...

Edited August 14, 201411 yr by B-52

B-52, thank you! It good to know I'm not the only one and that it will go away

I don't count Protein like I'm supposed to b/c I'm still getting used to it. And will never count calories again so no idea there either...

I hope you beat the food demon. Many don't and thats because it's not usually about the food but whatever we are trying to feed that is our problem. Though I don't consider it a diet, especially since I've surpassed goal, I'll continue to track, at least til my body accepts this new me. My Demon is still on my shoulders and will cause me problems if I let down my gaurd. My Iband helped me lose, but a lot if it's still up to me.