DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

LOL I was thinking the same thing!

Nooo don't feel like a fool!! It's really common, actually. People think "oh there's 8oz in a cup" and go from there. We're trained to think calories and weight, so when we're then told to start thinking volume, it takes some serious getting used to. It really depends on what it is whether or not I mush it down. Quite honestly, in large part depending how much I like the food and really want it LOL! (hey I'm being honest!) It's not an exact science by any means, it's just a way to try to keep your food volume compatible with your pouch size.

Some people are in the Green Zone with no fills, others need multiple fills. It really all depends on your anatomy and band size. As for myself, I'm in the Green Zone. I have 5.2cc in my 10cc band.

If I can put it in a measuring cup, I do. For instance, right now I'm eating chicken, snap peas, peppers, and Pasta in a basil sauce. So I put it all in a measuring cup to serve myself. (it's all cooked mixed together) If I'm having say pork chops...I'll measure about 3oz of pork (because it can't fit in a cup) but then I'll measure out 1/4 cup green Beans and 1/4 mashed potatoes via measuring cups.

8oz of weight doesn't necessarily mean a cup by volume. A good example: If you weighed out 8oz of popcorn it's going to fill way more than a measuring cup. Some things, like meat, you simply can't measure in a cup so they say 3-4oz This is why my doctor and nutritionist say to use a measuring cup whenever possible because they are concerned with volume not weight. In fact my nutritionist even went so far as to say meat should be the size of a deck of cards rather than weighing to stay within the right volume of food.

I never swallow it so I just have it whenever the mood strikes, regardless of it's relations to mealtime.

I was told to measure Protein by weight (3-4oz max) but everything else, if it can be measured by volume (cup) then use a cup. The reason isn't for calories but to not accidentally over eat and stretch the pouch above the band. The pouch can't hold more than a cup of food so that's where the whole 1 cup rule comes from. I usually end up doing about 3oz of protein, 1/4 of veggies and 1/4 of starch.

You look wonderful!

You're eating a lot because you're not restricting your portions. Most surgeons recommend no more than one cup of food per meal- and it's up to you to restrict your portions not the band. It's not the band's job to stop you from eating. It's job is to keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. Fill or unfill, it will always be your job to control your portions because while some foods may be more difficult to eat there will always be foods you can eat too much of and easily. Here's a link I think may help you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Being as you're dealing with a possible slip, it's especially important you don't over eat and potentionally make the problem worse. Sometimes an unfill allows a slipped band to fall back into place and sticking to band sized portions is very important if that is to have a chance of working. Best wishes.

My daughter brought a box of Thin Mints into the house. It was no less than a miracle I was able to resist without having one. Now if they'd been Samoas, all bets would be off. LOL!

A slipped band. Definite no-no.

I do eat everything you listed, however I also track every single calories I put in my mouth. So when I do have a piece of pizza it's counted towards my daily calorie allowance. Perhaps it's the amount of calories you're eating? Either too much or too little? If you don't track them, it might help you to see where you need to make changes if you start for at least awhile. Best wishes.

Actually if you're eating until you're full, you're eating too much. Have a look at this link, it'll help you better understand: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

I had coffee the day after surgery, too. No problems here.

Emotional eating is really tough. I wish I could give you some great advice to overcome it but all I can do is share what works for me. I really think it's a lifelong struggle and the trick is figuring out what works best for you. Afterall, the band goes around your stomach not your brain, so when battling our minds we're on our own. I find avoiding trigger foods entirely helps. There are certain foods, like Peanut Butter cups, I simply can't have in the house. If there is a bag of Reese's miniatures in the cupboard I can't eat just one I'll eat the whole bag. If I'm having an emotional high or low, even more so. I find tracking all my calories really helps me battle head hunger. When you track calories, even when you're not making good choices, you can't lie to yourself. It's so easy to say to yourself "Oh I only had a small piece of cake, it's ok if I have these Cookies too", but when you track those calories and see that cake was 400 calories and now those cookies would be additional 300 calories, you can't rationalize or justify your emotional eating. It helps to deter bad eating when the truth is right there staring you in the face. I also find having safe foods for when I really need something helps. For instance, I happen to like dill pickles. They're zero calories. I also like cucumbers, which are also zero calories. Very often I'll go for those when I just need 'something'. When I have a horrible sweet tooth, I have a 60 calorie sugar free pudding. For me, these things really help a lot. The trick is finding which foods may help you. Best wishes to you and I hope you find your own answer, too.

I can eat pretty much anything, but if I'm going to have problems it's with dry meat. Otherwise, if I go slow with small bites, there isn't anything I can't eat.

I use Lose It, too. I sync it between my phone and pc.

Ugh I'm so sorry Maybe look into Care Credit? They offer a line of credit for medical stuff, including bariatric surgery. Best wishes, I hope it all works out for you.

That's actually very common. It'll go by fast, hang in there!

Everyone is different because it depends greatly on your anatomy. Some people never need a fill yet others don't feel like they have a band at all until they've had multiple fills. You say you feel like you "can keep going and going". Please keep in mind the band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating. So even when you do have adequate Fluid in your band it will still up to you to control your portions. Here's a link I think you'll find very helpful: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html Best wishes to you!

You should fill out your profile so we can help you easier. I would see your family doctor. That has nothing to do with your band (assuming you have been banded). Best wishes..

I only use Stevia (Truvia is the same thing). It's plant based like real sugar, whereas asparatame and nutrasweet are essentially chemicals. I, my doctor, and my nutritionist all think Stevia is a great alternative to sugar or artificial sweetners.

Banded 13 months ago and have lost 187 pounds. Best decision I've ever made for myself. I love my band.

As Terry stated, there is no rule we're "not supposed to drink caffeine". In fact, most surgeons don't have a problem with it. I know mine doesn't. Heck, I was brought coffee the morning after my surgery. ...I think I'd have to stab someone in the hand if they tried to take all caffeine from me. Just say'n.

You definitely can lose weight without a fill- or without ever having a fill for that matter. Fills don't make you lose weight, consuming less calories than you burn is what results in weight loss. I lost 44 pounds by the time I had my first fill 6 weeks after surgery. But, I also started counting calories the day I got home from the hospital. The fills are what helps control my hunger and keep me satisfied on smaller amounts of food but it's restricting my calorie intake that has allowed me to lose weight. Best wishes.