I know it may sound weird to me but how can you only get a tablespoon of grits down and that is it? Since I have had my band I have always been able to eat alot more than most people that are on this website and lose the weight, especially being newly banded...even in the beginning. When I read that some people can only get down a couple of tablespoons of a certain mushy food and I can put down almost a cup I just can't believe it. And I know that most have had a fill and their band is tighter but it seems to me that maybe what they are trying to put down is too thick? I don't know. I just know that I guess I have been fortunate to have not had a PB or even vomiting everything that I put down. Like this morning, I made a 3 egg omelette with chese and thin sliced turkey breast and I only ate half of it and saved the rest for later. I knew when I was full and I stopped and waited for 30 minutes and had some hot tea. That is the hardest part is waiting to drink but I do drink before I eat. And for lunch I will probably have just a Soup at Hand and nothing else.

I don't know maybe it is just me and my make-up but it just throws me...anyone else wonder this too?

I'm the same way. Although I can eat more then a cup (slowly) at a times I'm mostly still eating mushies. I only eat three times a day and probably get about 1000 calories in by balancing my mushed tuna/chicken and veggies. I'm still losing fairly quickly (27 pounds since Sept 6th.) so the amounts are working for me. Sometimes I can eat very little, especially if I try a chicken breast. Even when I chew it to a pulp, sometimes it causes a VERY uncomfortable feeling so I back off real quick! Pain or pb-ing (which I have not done yet, but came close) is a good deterrent for me! I'm never really starved so my restriction must be good. It amazes that some people can only eat a few bites...I can easily eat a cup and a half (max) of mushies in a half hour. Is that normal? I don't waste my calories on junk food...don't even really have the desire for it...which I find amazing! I loved fast foods!!!!

pam

well I am glad to know that there is someone like me!! I love pastries and anything sweet and being from south Texas and growing up with Tex-Mex and having the little Mexican grandma making tortillas and beans and all that good stuff it is realy hard. I actually went to a Mexican restaurant last weekend and had an enchilada and refried beans! I was able to eat the whole enchilada and half the beans and it was wonderful! Since I haven't had a fill and my doctor does not want me to for awhile it is good to know that what I am doing is actually working without one or even the thought that I need one soon. Not to say that I will never need one...I am sure I will, but it's nice knowing that I have more control in my choices and I know what is better to eat and what isn't. I know that everyone with the band is different but so far I am very happy with my decision. Especially since I went shopping the other day for an outfit for a wedding today and I got into a 16 instead of the normal 20!! This has made such a big difference. Congrats on your weightloss and keep up the good work!

Well, I can also eat a lot if I want.....I have always had to stop when I thought I should be full. I've never felt full. Even the 2 times when I fell off the wagon and binged for an afternoon, I never felt too full or limited. I don't get it at all!

Carrie

7/25/05

222/201/125

This is really interesting to me. I am able to eat as much pasta as I want. Actually, pasta and refried beans. Whenever I want to go out to eat with someone, and I don't want them to know about the band, I get Mexican or Italian food. For a while, I was suspicious that the band had slipped (and I suppose it is possible that it did), but I still get lots of restriction when it comes to foods like tuna, veggies, sushi etc. The one food I have absolutely had to give up is Green Curry because I PB 1/2 the time.

The more you can eat and still lose weight the better really. Just be glad about it. That's more nourishment you can get in and much more ease socialising and eating out etc.

I'd only worry about it if you werent losing or were having to muster up undue willpower to keep losing.

Also, remember that people are in VERY different stages with their banding. I remember thinking the exact same thing over my first holiday season with the band--I'd only had one fill at the time and was eating what looked like a lot of turkey and whatnot at Thanksgiving. But then the following February I had another fill, and the quantities I could eat dropped like a rock.

What's true for you now may not be true in a few months, so just wait. It all changes as you have adjustments.

I agree with Alex. Even though I've never had a fill, I used to be able to eat scrambled eggs like they were going out of style. Now I have to be EXTREMELY careful when eating them, as well as crackers too.

I have to take very small bites and chew it very well before swallowing. I've actually slimed once and had a few mild PBs too. Although they were quite a while ago, I have NOT forgotten!!!

I'm sure once I get that first fill it'll change for me again too. And everyone's bodies are so different that some can eat one thing with no problem, and another can't. And I suppose it's the same way quantity wise as well.

I agree, I had surgury 9/20 I have already had a 1cc fill, still not alot of restrictions, I keep my calories to 1000-1200, Sunday i tried Pasta and i hear from alot of bandsters that they can't do pasta, No problems here!!!!

I hear rice is a issue, no problems here. I hope I find the right restiction so i can eat anything but stop at a few bites and be full.

I'm curious, I notice that some people can eat a lot. I thought that if you eat too much you can make your band slip and stretch. Is that true? I'm really scared of doing that. So I'm not eating much.

Leadiaz, it's all about listening to your body. What is too much food for me may not be too much food for you because we're all different.

If you eat too much too quickly you will PB, and it is thought that PB'ing can lead to slippage. That's why we should only eat until we're comfortably full. And why we should avoid foods that cause pain. That said, don't let fear govern your life. There is a learning curve to the band, and you need to find out what works for you.

I'm only 3 months out myself, and I'm still learning something new about my band every day...