Can anyone shed light on my problem? I was banded May 8 & have lost only 15 lbs. I have 7.02cc in a 10cc band, work out 5-6 days a week. I try to eat the way I was told but I'm just not satisfied with the small amt. I do feel restriction but if I follow the rules I can eat a large amt. of food even though I'm not suppose to I do because I'm HUNGRY. I'm scheduled for another small fill & I'm wondering if this will help me be satisfied on a smaller amt. I get stuck ALL the time if I don't take small bites & chew thoroughly & I'm afraid a fill might make getting stuck worse but I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions would be appredicated, especially from those who've been banded longer than me.

Well, I'm not sure how it feels to be banded because I haven't had my surgery yet, but if you are getting stuck then it seems like you are not eating slow enough or chewing your food enough. My doctor and nutritionist told me to start practicing way ahead of time eating very slowly and chewing each bite 20 to 30 times before I swallow. Also, they told me that I am supposed to put my fork down between bites and wait a minute before taking the next bite.

Are you drinking with your meals? If so, you shouldn't. The info I got is to stop drinking liquids 30 min before eating and don't drink liquids until 30 after you are done eating. Liquids make the foods move through your stomach quicker, making you hungry sooner and not keeping you satisfied.

I am on a liquid diet now in prep for my surgery. I have been drinking Water constantly throughout the day, except when I have my shakes, then I make sure not to drink water for 30 min before and 30 min after. It helps me feel fuller and I haven't had as hard a time as I would have thought.

Hope you are able to work out your problems.

Shanna

Hi there,

I'm not an expert, but I do have some ideas.

Make sure that the smaller amounts of food are of a higher quality. Fruit, vegetables, Protein and a small amount of carbs are my mainstay.

Eat Breakfast. I have oats or muesli (sp?). Never miss it.

If you must eat between meals, have a banana (not the fully ripe ones, they are full of sugar) or an apple.

Don't have a meal last thing at night.

Drink lots of Water.

Hope that helps.

Is it physical hunger or head hunger?

What types of foods do you typically eat and how much?

I was banded May 31st and have only lost 14 pounds, so I completely, totally, obsessively understand your frustration. I was banded in Mexico. My first fill was in mid-July. I had my fourth one yesterday. I could basically eat anything I wanted. I would get stuck if I ate bread, so I knew what eating too much would feel like...I just never got that feeling. With the fill I received yesterday, I am praying I am there. I know I can literally fill water going down now, I never have had that feeling. Have you spoken to your doctor about your frustration? Are you having to pay for your fills? If so, have you considered changing doctors?