Hello! Im hoping someone can help me. I had my surgery on October 8, 07. By the end of that week I was eating mashed potatoes and gravy, ( I asked the doc's secretary and she said it would be ok) mac and cheese. I ate jello and drank the broth but I would wake up in the middle of the night hungry. When I eat I know I eat at least a cup or more. Is this wrong??? Prior to surgery and even now I have never spoken with a dietician. I'm afraid now that I have messed something up or I have stretched the band way out or I may never be able to get back on track. I feel like a failure:(!! I know I should be very watchful of the quantity of food I'm eating. I dont know how often I am suppose to eat or how much. Please if anyone would help me or give me advice or reassurance I would be very grateful. Thank you so much. God Bless!

Msmarymac, congratulations!!!!

Thanks guys! Trust me, I only look great, but that is another story!

One thing that I have learned that I think would help all of you is that there are times that I can eat more than usual. Sometimes I feel that I can eat more than I should be able to, but in the long run it evens out.

Mornings I can not eat at all for the most part. I am able to eat after 11 or so, so usually that is lunch. I can eat more at night than any other time, which is not the most ideal situation.

There are times you will be able to eat more than others, the thing to look at is ON an average how much are you eating? Can you say that it is ALWAYS alot? I bet if you think hard you will see that you are eating A LOT less than you did pre banded, and you aren't what you were before!

I think if you learn to graze better if you can't cut it out you can do it. I have traded candy, Cookies, ect for string cheese sticks, peanuts and other nuts, those 100 calorie packs are great as well. I love those. The big thing is to change WHAT you eat as well as how much!

It is true - you are right. It is not all the time and it is always definatley less than before I was banded!! Thank you so much for your help!!

What do you mean you only look great? You look fabulous!!

Frankly, as far as being able to eat a lot....don't worry about it now. You are healing right now....not in the active losing stage and the band is not working for you yet. Try to keep it to a "dull roar" and cut down on the amounts....it will make transition to restriction much easier. But don't sweat it right now....

Brandy, your username grabbed me. I used to have a kitty named Boo Boo - she was beautiful too. Your pictures are wonderful.

You look great!!!!! a real inspiration...