I am a little confused on what is considered a "normal" portion size. How much do you usually eat?

Edited April 22, 200818 yr by jerang

Not sure if this helps, but my nutritionist is strict about not drinking 30 minutes before your meal, during your meal, and 30 minutes after your meal. She says that the liquid will wash the food through your pouch opening and make you hungry quicker.

Good luck!

Mine allows drinking Water right up until I start eating.

Hi, thank you for the tip on drinking. Unfortunately, I already follow the 30 minute before and 1 hour after (mine is even stricter) drinking rule, but I do aprecciate the input. Hopefully when I go for my fill on Monday, I'll get more restriction and finally be where I should be and get my motivation back.

Linda

I think this is a subject that every bander ask's, I known I have! I known that I can eat more for dinner than I do for my other meals. I thought that I was doing something wrong, when I am not. Breakfast has only been lasting me 3 hours, were lunch and dinner last 4 to 5 hours. But known that I have read this thread, I do not feel as confused as I did. I want to thank everyone that replyed to this post it was very helpfull. :tt2: Barb

I think this is a subject that every bander ask's, I known I have! I known that I can eat more for dinner than I do for my other meals. I thought that I was doing something wrong, when I am not. Breakfast has only been lasting me 3 hours, were lunch and dinner last 4 to 5 hours. But known that I have read this thread, I do not feel as confused as I did. I want to thank everyone that replyed to this post it was very helpfull. :tt2: Barb

Barb,

You stats are great. :thumbup:Did you lose any of your weight pre-band? What are you eating for lunch and dinner to stay full? I can't eat 1st thing in the morning. I'm tight 'til around 10am. I'm up at 5am & at work by 7am. Then in the evenings, I'm hungry.

You're doing great!

Beth

Hi Beth,

Yes, I had lost 13 pounds before surgery. I have to be at work for 8am, so I eat when I get there. I also can't eat as soon as I get up. As for lunch and dinner, I eat chill or stews and I freeze some of it for later. I make chicken, turkey and beef. I add salad to get my veggies in. I try not to eat dinner to early, or I am hungry by 11pm. And of course exercise! Something I never did before. Any weight off is a great job! Good luck on your journey, Barb

I am 16 months out and still get confused about how much is enough. When measuring 4 oz (my dr.s recomendation for a meal) do I use a measuring cup or a kitchen scale? Volume-wise using the scale gives me more food than putting it into a measuring cup does. I wonder how other people measure? I just eat until I am satisfied. My weight loss has been at a standstill but I am dealing with a shoulder injury that has sidelined my trips to the gym. And the weather has been terrible and icy where I live so I haven't been walking like I should. I just don't want to take a chance slipping and hurting myself any further.

Hi,

I'm as confused as you are and very frustrated. I was banded on 7/21/08 with a 10cc band and currently have 7.5 cc of fill. I feel no restriction at all and can eat a full size sub, or a large plate of anything or 3 pieces of pizza, etc. I have lost less than 20 pounds in 5 1/2 months. Two months ago I gained 4 pounds so I was given a 1 cc fill. I still felt nothing but was determined to be really good and practically starved myself and lost 6 pounds and 4 weeks and my doctor wouldn't fill me because I had lost weight. I go for my 5th fill next Monday and I'm pretty sure I've gained the six pounds back. The only time I feel anything is when I eat dry tough meat and don't chew it well; otherwise I feel like I never had the surgery and my motivation and will power has gone to almost nothing. I never imagined it would be this difficult. How am going to make this a life-time tool if I can't even stay motivated for the first 6 months?? :cool:

Have you asked to have your band checked for leaks?

I was told that to start with 1/4 cup total food and after a while the pouch would allow up to 1 cup. I just started mushy food (only a week since my band so instructions are still clear) and a 1/4 cup more than fills me up and it takes me 20-30 minutes to even get that down.