How much can you eat?

Justin · February 4, 2008

I had my lapband installed on Dec.31st. Im down to 260 from 290. I just had my first fill last Friday at 2ccs. My question is how much can you eat? I wonder if my band is working much at all. While I don't eat as much as I used to, its mostly because I'm careful.

For lunch today I had a Quizno's flatbread sammy. Ate it all and felt like I could have eaten more. The night before I had a whole plate of sushi, rice and all.

oatmeal and scrambled eggs seem to make me full, but not much else does. I have NEVER had anything come back up. So let me know.

Thanks.

kbinaz · February 4, 2008

Hi Justin,

I was banded October 26th so I am a bit further out from you. I've had four fills and this last one finally gave me some restriction. Until this fill I could have eaten as much as you. I felt like a complete failure and was wondering why the heck I had this stupid surgery in the first place if the band wasn't going to help me at all- I was hungry. Now I can tell you that with more fills it will improve and you will steadily see the amount you can eat decrease. It is hard to be patient but in a way I am glad it has taken me a while to get restriction. I think it has been better for me to slowly get used to the idea of eating less. It is a big relief to get the benefits of the band - not feeling hungry and not feeling like you are eating the same as before. Don't stress out too much at this point about amounts. Start listening to your body and getting to know it's signals.That is what is going to give you success once you reach your sweet spot. Once you get good restriction you have to really listen because if you don't stop you cause yourself a lot of pain! Eat slowly, chew like crazy and the amount thing will work itself out when you have the restriction. Hope this helps.

MizPeppy · February 4, 2008

I got banded in OCt. had 2 fills and can eat a lot. I just went over what I eat and found I was eating too many soft foods, and drinking while eating. These things are important. I am getting another fill next Monday, but I am feeling a lot more restriction now that I'm not eating around the band.

Jachut · February 4, 2008

I can eat a fair bit - most of a ham sandwich for example. Its only a problem if a) you're stuffing it in way past full, not a good habit with a lapband or you're not losing weight. If you're losing weight and you're not eating past satisifed then no matter how much it is (within reason (4 cups worth might be excessive, lol) then logically, its not too much is it? When you stop losing on that amount you need to think about eating less.

But I agree totally, try to avoid softer, easier to eat foods or you may find yourself overeating. Even us old seasoned bandsters have to watch that. I can eat a lot less of the right foods than I can the wrong ones!

Marimaru · February 4, 2008

You said "and felt like I could have eaten more." The question then is "But were you hungry after the sammy?" (And how are those, by the way?).

There's a big difference between being full and not being hungry anymore. It's a real head struggle for me at least.

Justin · February 5, 2008

Well, Im not starving after the Sammy, its just that I was under the impression that a Sammy would be way too much. I didn't feel full either, but I wasn't starving after.

Jachut · February 5, 2008

Truly, I think the biggest myth, and one which this board is really bad at perpetuating is that there is a perfect, set amount of food that is right for everyone, and that everyone's bodies and bands will behave the same. It SHOULD be like this, it SHOULD be like that, argh, drives me nuts.

Firstly, you've just had your first fill, it can take a few fills to get to the point where you cant eat certain foods and small amounts really fill you.

You may never NEED to get there you know. I never have. I can eat everything, and only get problems if I eat too fast, dont chew or do something stupid. Take Sunday morning. I ate Weetbix bites - little wheat Cereal pieces with fruit in them. I didnt add milk, we were low and I left it for my kids to have on their Cereal. 20 minutes later I had my cup of coffee. Picture dry cereal in your stomach and pouring a liquid on top. Lol, within five minutes I thought I was going to explode, and spent my daughters swimming lesson barfing in the toilets with loads of little kids all around saying "mummy, what is that lady doing?". I heard morning sickness mentioned and didnt dispel anyone of that notion, lol.

If you're losing weight, you cannot be eating too much, its a simple as that. Just be sure never to eat to the point of being really full. Other than that, just dispel all the SHOULD notions you have about this. It will work for you in a totally individual way and if you choose healthy options and fill when you find you've stopped losing weight or are beginning to feel excessive appetite, you will be fine. Eating what you have at this stage is not unusual and it will probably not stop you losing weight.