How small or big is your meal

[4evrwild 0]

The safe amount of food we can consume at any one meal is still a little confusing to me. My main concern is I don't want to eat too much and stretch my pouch. Am I correct in assuming that if I consume a 1/2 cup of food that that portion is ok? I'm talking more solid food, not food like cottage cheese or yogurt. My dietician had guidelines for the mushy stage and later but to tell the truth it still isn't very clear for me. I also eat 2 oz. of meat and no more than 3 oz. meat at any one meal.

Does anyone have any real guidelines to follow from their Dr. or nutritionist? Also I need to visit the dietician again to figure out how many servings in each food group I should have. I'm basically eating 800-1000/day and I'm very satisfied with that.

Thanks for any input:thumbup:

[salsa1877 10]

From your band date I am assuming that you are on solid foods. The entire time I was losing I ate 1 cup of food. All my nutritionist said was to stay between 800 and 1000 calories. Eat your Protein first, followed by veggies the fruits and carbs. Other than that I didn't get any other advice. I kind of figured out what worked for me. I ate a lot of ground chicken and I replaced rice and Pasta with Beans. I didn't drink any Protein Drinks and only supplemented with low sugar Protein Bars. Hope that helped a little!

Edited May 16, 2008 by salsa1877

[4evrwild 0]

Yup, I'm 9 weeks post-op and can pretty much tolerate most foods. I have PB'd with chicken but it was my fault. I just don't want to stretch my pouch cuz once it's stretched it's stretched. The dietician said that at about 6 mos. down the road you could probably eat/tolerate half of a sandwich and at about a year a Lean Cuisine size meal. I haven't tried either. But a 1/2 sandwich seems like it could be doable now, just haven't tried it and really don't want to. Seems like my calories are in line with yours! You are inspiring, good luck on the TT!

Thanks for sharing!

[salsa1877 10]

I could eat a whole sandwich at 6 months. To be honest I have been told that it is quite hard to strech your pouch. I don't know if that is true or not. One of the reasons I was able to eat more than most is because I chose to not be very tight. I couldn't handle eating through pain. I didn't want to cause slippage problems and I didn't seem to handle fills well. I have a lot of restriction with just the band. I pb'd just the other day and I am completely unfilled.

What your nutritionist says is reasonable. You have a great attitude and seem to be mentally prepared for this. That is 98% of the battle. Good luck and I wish you continued success! Thank you for the compliment and luck wishing...I will need it. I am getting jealous of all my Crazy Ate members that are having theirs done before me! Just kidding...I love em all...even if they have a flat tummy before I do!

Edited May 17, 2008 by salsa1877

[4evrwild 0]

At the time of surgery I had 2.4cc in my band and I've had just the one fill so I'm up to 3.4cc. My surgeon said to me at my last appt on 5-14, "Your a rock star!" So he doesn't want to see me for 6 wks unless I feel I need to come in. So, I'm very happy with my weight loss so far and I feel so much better. I may need one of those TT's next year too, we shall see. I thot you had to wait a year or two to see if your skin would remold to your new bod? You are definately inspiring and it seems you too have a very positive and fun attitude, I wish you well :woot:

[salsa1877 10]

My doc used to think that you should wait, but he has changed his opinion. He said he has seen too many patients that have gained the weight back because they get depressed over their extra skin (which we perceive as fat!) So now as long as you are within 10 pounds of goal he gives you his full blessing. Besides, if you see my tummy pictures there is no way it is going away. If you want to lose your appetite they are posted on the August 2007 thread under Plastic Surgery

ROCK STAR! Right on... it gives you such a boost when you hear that from your doctor!

[4evrwild 0]

That's very interesting, thanks for that. I can totally understand that excess skin could get rather depressing. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, long ways to go but I can see the goal line now at least! Once you get your TT that will likely be another several lbs. lost. I worry bout the extra cost but if I start saving now.........................maybe it will make it easier!! Anything is worth it if makes you truly feel better about yourself I say!

[juliegeraci 7]

1/2 cup is a good amount of food. If you eat 1 cup of food and still lose that is okay too. 1/2 cup is usually with good restriction.

[4evrwild 0]

1/2 cup is a good amount of food. If you eat 1 cup of food and still lose that is okay too. 1/2 cup is usually with good restriction.

I feel like a 1/2 cup is quite satisfying for me and depending on how solid the food is or isn't, I can eat a lil more or less. I just get confused because in reading the mylapband.com it says that your pouch can only hold 2 oz. or 1/4 cup. So I hear/read different things from different sources and I just want to make sure I'm not eating too much to stretch the pouch. Dr. doesn't really say one way or other to me either, like I can't nail him down on it which kinda bothers me a little bit.

[sam020408 0]

I think when you adjusted to the proper level you will know what you can eat. My band started empty and get adjusted every 2 weeks. It was not til about the 4th fill that I understood what restriction was. I learned that I neeed to slow down and quit when I was full. I can eat about 1/2 of a Subway 6" sandwich and better not try more.

Questions at my fill appointments are not how many cups or what size but does it come back up or get stuck and am I hungry between meals.