So, after talking to the guy I've been on and off dating, it seems like I misunderstood him on a few things and apparently he likes me alot and wants to continue dating. I agreed as I like him alot too. He came over tonight and we cooked dinner together. We cooked NY strip steaks on the grills and I made baked potatoes with fresh chives and asparagus stir-fried with garlic and butter. It turned out perfectly. I ate the steak with absolutely no issues. Now my surgeon had said last time that if I can eat steak, then I need a fill. I weighed myself this morning though and I am down another 2 pounds. I've pretty much been eating healthy and on days when I know I'm going out to dinner (or like today--cooking steaks at home) I don't eat anything else all day. I know that may not be the healthiest thing to do, but it keeps my calorie intake in check but still allows me to go out and eat what I want. Most of the time I just eat healthy three meals a day, but on the weekends I usually go out to dinner with friends or my date. So I'm wondering, does this mean I need a fill? I think that I do. I can still eat too much food, even though I control myself and try to stay within my calorie goals. I have an appt. on March 3rd so I will probably get a fill then.

I think our ideas of what "eating too much" is can be a little off at times.

I thought I was eating too much, but when I went for what I thought would be a fill, my doctor was really pleased with my loss. They gave me a form when I walked in that I did not expect, which asked me what I ate the day before. I had to carefully put down what I thought. What I thought was a lot, he thought was pretty good. He made the point that a tighter band is not always the way to go, and I didn't get a fill that day. I'm still losing though.

Maybe if you kept a journal until your appointment of what you are actually eating, your doctor can help you determine if you really do need one. S/he may think you are actually right on track. Giving them an accurate picture of your day might help their objective eyes.

Congratulations on your progress! It sounds like you are doing great! That's very inspiring!

try this site. www.livestrong.com and sign up and use the daily plate feature. *food journal tool* It's free and I am addicted to using it. really cool.

I am at my sweet spot right now and I can still eat steak if i take small bites and chew like crazy. I like my steak medium rare, so it's not dry which probably helps. Bread on the other hand...sometimes I can, most of the time I can't, so I usually just avoid it altogether.

recently I have been able to eat rolls or really toasted bread. Been killin it since I love bread !! But I know it's time for another fill since I am able to eat such things. I tried steak one day and was able to eat it fine, but paid BIG TIME the next day. Haven't had a bit of steak since. And it's a slow day at work today, so I don't see how any of what I just wrote pertains to much. But there is my two cents.

I'm at my sweet spot and I can eat steak. My doctor told me that most people have to give up steak because they can't get it down w/out a beverage. However, I eat my steak (get ready to say ewwwww, GROSS!) very, very, very, rare, so I have no problem swallowing it. I do have to take small bites and chew and chew and chew and chew. I guess the real question is "how much" steak can you eat? I would say that if you can eat up to 8 ounces, at the most, of anything that you need a fill. They way you know you don't need a fill is when you have to split entrees, and even then you may not be able to eat all of your half, and you certainly don't have room for appetizers, side items or desserts.

Wendy

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Keep it coming! I cannot eat 8 oz of steak. I only ate about 4 oz. of it and it was cooked medium rare. It was amazing!! I did try to eat slow, especially since I was having dinner with the guy and he doesn't know I've had the band. I got pleasantly full but no negative effects from it. I don't eat untoasted bread and any kind of bread is iffy. I actually log all my food at sparkpeople.com and my doctor's office requires me to bring in a week of food logs so they can review it. I just print out the spark people logs for each day and it's great! I think I am going to get a fill. I don't want to lose my momentum..I lost another 5 pounds this week though..I hope my doctor even agrees to do one!

Hello All..I am 16lbs lighter since 1.28.09..I have cravings for cookies..but I have to eat sugar free chocolate pudding to satisfy the sweet tooth I have..I miss eating breads..sandwiches and cereal..omg I love cinnamon toast crunch..I didnt realize how much sugar was in that cereal til now..foods are tasting different to me now.I had a fill yesterday and I felt the tightness this morning ...good luck to all on ur journey!