How much not to stretch your band?

[stept04 465]

I know I've seen on here the right amount of food to have at a meal so as not to over eat or stretch your band, but i can't remember. My Dr. does not limit calories or anything. He says to just eat healthy and the band will take care of the rest. But I need a guideline or I'll eat to much. So it was something like 4 oz of Protein, 1/2 cup vegi's and 1/4 cup of starch is that right? If not can you correct me?

~~~Stephanie

[catfish87 3,471]

My Dr. does not limit calories or anything. He says to just eat healthy and the band will take care of the rest.

~~~Stephanie

WONDERFUL advice from your doctor! "....The band will take care of the rest."

Until you get to correct adjustment/restriction, the "amount" you referred to is a recommendation I hear quite often.

[gigglypug 77]

Hi Steph, my doctor is equally relaxed about amounts. I just had my 4 week check-up and normally would have gotten my first fill (apart from the surgery primer), but we decided against it as I will be vacationing in a very remote area starting next week. When I asked him how to deal with hunger, he said that it was okay to eat more than 1 cup at a meal or alternatively more often. The most important rule is to go SLOW so the band has time to give you feedback.

[soanl1412 71]

Mine says no more then a cup. 3-4 ounces of Protein and 1/4 cup of veggies and starches

[♕ajtexas♕ 3,771]

Stephanie - you are on track with 4oz Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies & 1/4 cup of starch. That is about what I eat each meal, actually I often don't do the carbs because I am full.

[MonaLisa2 24]

My doctor recommended no more than 1/2 cup -1 cup; 2-4 oz lean Protein and 1/4 to 1/2 c veggies. No starches.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Eating too much food does not automatically stretch or dilate your pouch. Seems like some of us have very little feeling in our upper stomach and esophagus. Since food passes through your stoma within a minute or less, you could conceivably eat 2 or more cups of food as long as the food was band friendly and passed through the stoma. If you fail to chew properly and eat too fast you could pack your pouch and esophagus with too much food causing them to dilate. But, for most of us, that would be a very painful stuck episode. That's why I say I believe some patients can't feel that uncomfortable feeling that most of us feel when we eat poorly. I can't imagine I could dilate my pouch without a lot of discomfort and pain. jmo

[Peldiak26 12]

Eat off a bread and butter plate, half you plate should be vegetables, 1/4 of your plate should be Protein and 1/4 starches.

You should eat all your protein first then vegetables and last eat your starch, you probably won't be able to finish your starch.

The goal shouldn't be to see how much you can eat with the band, the goal should be to see how little you can eat with the band :-)

Don't look to feel full, look to feel not hungry (satisfied)