Hello, Just wondering if you found it to be strange or difficult getting use to your new appetite ? I was a huge eater, could out eat my hubby sometimes. Out of habit it feel so strange eating such a small amount that I do now. It kind of messes with your head. LOL I was so use to eating huge that eating 4oz is just amazing to me. I was banded on june 5th and I have such a small appetite. I have overeaten just out of habit and it does not feel good Ouch does it ache, overeating is even strange becuse its still hardly any food that I eat. Does the discomfort from over eating always stay with you ? Or is it because I am 2 1/2 weeks post op ? I am just so amazed I guess it takes some getting use to. I am so glad that I did this and got banded, I just have to work on the habit of eating. I suppose its like a smoker who quits still reaching for a cigarette. I feel like I should grab a snack then catch myself and say what am I thinking. Did anyone else feel shocked at how small your appetite is. Kind of useless to cook for myself , only three bites and all the work was for that haha. I still do though cause I have a family to feed . I see where food is in a different place in my life already. I appreciate how good it taste and eat slow to make it last. I think I eat less in a whole day than I would have in one meal. Dont mean to ramble it just amazes me to see the band do it work and I havent had a fill yet .

Kim:hungry:

It is amazing, but unfortunately for me, my appetite did return. I do still get a lot of headhunger and have to do a lot of "I will not eat, I will not eat" during the afternoons.

I've gotten used to the fill up quick factor though. I serve myself the right size now and it doesnt feel small or wrong to me.

Dear Kim,

Yes I remember thinking damn, I am eating like a lady now instead of a truckdriver. JUST a figure of speech .

I felt like a petite eater. It feel powerful.

There I was 250 lbs and using the word petite about myself. I started winning before my weight was even off.

edie

I'm 2.5 weeks out like you Kimmom. I went shopping and bought waaaay too much. It's going to last me a month.

Dear Kim,

Yes I remember thinking damn, I am eating like a lady now instead of a truckdriver. JUST a figure of speech .

I felt like a petite eater. It feel powerful.

There I was 250 lbs and using the word petite about myself. I started winning before my weight was even off.

edie

I still get a kick out of this. I know its just so stereotypical and sexist etc etc etc but I love that I eat like a lady now, not like a pig. I was always the first finished! Now I'm always lagging and people say "c'mon, eat up, you'll waste away" etc.

It is funny now how what I used to think was "just a taste".....is now a whole meal!

I was the type that would consume enough calories for a full meal just while I was cooking, and then sit down and eat. I love being banded!

The first two weeks I was in heaven not having to eat much to be full!! Then it just went away and I was as hungry as I was before. I had my first fill this week and it helped a little bit but no huge difference. I cant wait to be able to eat small amounts again and not feel so hungry.

It is very strange to have a small amount of food make you full but your head tell you keep going it tastes good. I have found especially with things like spaghetti or anything you could eat in a bowl that if I choose a small bowl and fill it up my head thinks I am full like my stomach does.

There I was 250 lbs and using the word petite about myself. I started winning before my weight was even off.

edie

I love this quote!!

I am 8 day post op, the 1st 2 days I would have ripped that band right out, I was in pain , I felt sick, horrid! But the last 4 or 5 days have been fantastic. I feel hungry, I eat a small amount, I feel full I then live my life. I don't spend my whole time, planning what I want to eat, denying what I want to eat, thinking about what I want to eat. I crieded last night because I couldn't believe how much of my time I spent at war with food and myself, DENY, DENY, DENY, followed by GIVE IN, GIVE IN, followed by G-U-I-L-T.......... Now listen guys I know I';m a really novice at this but if this is bandland, all I can say is my life wll be changed. I feel like the beast in me the horrible part of me that I tried so hard for so long to tame has at last been captured and put behind bars, I only hope and pray that this is how my life with the band continues. I can now at last get on and life my life. Jx

I am 11 weeks out, have had two fills and have great restriction. But I have had a hard time getting my head around it. Sometimes I will serve my plate up then when I sit down to eat I realize that I have a plate all pilled up and there is no way I could eat it all. My husband is also banded and I am just now figuring out how little I have to cook. I can cook one good size salmon filet, one large potato and vegatables and it is plenty for the 2 of us. I guess it just takes time to get your head right.

I lasted about 3 weeks like that. Any little thing filled me up.

Later on, my appetite was back and I could eat almost as much as I used to if I wanted. It really depended on what kinds of foods. The ones that passed easy, I was inhaling. The others, I ate like a regular person that isn't overweight.

If you start eating healthy and start making better food choices now, I think you can reach your goals without a fill ever. Eating clean and eventually incorporating exercise will save your life. Remember, the band is just a tool..not your salvation.

I lasted about 3 weeks like that. Any little thing filled me up.

Later on, my appetite was back and I could eat almost as much as I used to if I wanted. It really depended on what kinds of foods. The ones that passed easy, I was inhaling. The others, I ate like a regular person that isn't overweight.

If you start eating healthy and start making better food choices now, I think you can reach your goals without a fill ever. Eating clean and eventually incorporating exercise will save your life. Remember, the band is just a tool..not your salvation.

Amen to that. I'v had 2 fills and know I need another but am getting ready to go on vacation. Mypoint, it is a tool and you do need to continue to make healthy choices and use some willpower.

I had the same experience. In fact, it still sometimes gets the better of me and I overeat. My restriction is HUGE for breakfast and lunch, but it I get the urge at dinner, I can eat a lot. Not like I used to, but relatively a lot. Or I'll forget and buy a lot of groceries or cook a lot of food, and it goes to waste, but not to Waist!

I'm over 5 months out from surgery date, and I still am constantly learning about this band. I experience first bite syndrome quite a bit....I just slow down, wait til it passes, then continue eating. I was a large portion eater, too...and it still is shocking how I still THINK I can eat that much. In reality...only a 1/4 or maybe a 1/2 cup of food. When eating out, which is 90% of the time, I end up with the "to go" box, and that meal lasts for 2 or 3 more! Sometimes it's too tight, and I just quit, other times, I eat with no problems, big or small bites. Think I may just be having some stoma spasms when tight...doesn't necessarily feel like food is stuck, just more stuffed. Either way, I probably eat 1/5th of what used to be my normal size meal! And weirdly, every single day is different. I've had 6 or 7 fills in my VG11 band, and am keeping slightly ahead of 10 pounds per month.

I still obsess about food, and my band. I look forward to just "moving on", and accepting each day's eating abilities!

Hi all!! I have done the exact same things you all have done. Heaped up my plate sat down at table and then laughed!!! I am pretty good at how much I can eat now and I usually put the right amount on my plate. I still find it funny that after we eat dinner, it is not 10 minutes and hubby is looking for food and continues this throughout the res of the evening. Sometimes is pisses me off, but most of the time I am in complete amazement of how much food a person can shove in their mouths. The best part is that I used to be just like that ONLY worse than hubby!!!! Deanna

I thought I would hate buffets, but I love them....I get to put one bite of all sorts of things on my plate. It's just perfect. And I think how much I used to be able to pile on a buffet plate.....