Does the "Sweet Spot" equal pain?

[Carl N 0]

I had my banding on April 7 and have had two fills, but with almost no noticable result. I can still eat as much as I want, as long as I chew to a puree consistency. If I don't chew well enough, I have major pain from the food sticking and I get "the slimes."

My question is this: How will I know when I hit the sweet spot? Will I get a normal sensation of being full, or will pain be the indicator because food just won't go down no matter how much I chew?

[SoonToBeTheRealMe 0]

My question is this: How will I know when I hit the sweet spot? Will I get a normal sensation of being full, or will pain be the indicator because food just won't go down no matter how much I chew?

Neither....you need to realize the new way your body feels full, and by the sound of it you are not there yet. I don't feel full in my lower stomach, like I did before. Now I feel it in my chest area. There is no pain just a feeling that I know if I eat one more bite it might not stay down. Some people say they never feel that before BP's, to them I say they eat to fast! Also, I am not able to eat anything I want regardless how much I chew it. Breads, some meats, pastas and a handful of other things I was able to eat until my 3rd fill, not any more. I don't even try, there is plenty of other foods I can eat...that are healthy choices...that I stick to now. Good luck! Hopefully you find your "sweet spot" soon!

[Jachut 487]

Ditto. At any level of restriction if you treat your band wrong you have pain and vomiting as your reward. Its just a matter of learning new habits, it takes time and a little bit of negative reinforcement!

A sweet spot to me is simply where you're losing weight well. It does not equal eating a stated amount of food, not being able to eat certain foods etc. It simply means without undue effort you lose steadily, even if slowly.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Yep! You're eating incorrectly, I think. I hit close to the sweet spot for me at 6.25 cc in March 2009...but with 1 1/2 months to go for nursing school, my senior year, and EVERYTHING INSANE!!!! I didn't have the patience or oomph to make sure I chewed well and took small bites (previous to that level I, like you, could eat ANYTHING, and I did!) The Doc unfilled me to 6.0. FF to May 7...finals over, graduated, Sigma Theta Tau, pressure OFF. I got 6.5 cc (had to cajole my doc) and I haven't felt that misery once. I've lost just at 27.9 pounds in the time since the 7th. I take small bites (about 2/3 to 1/2 my old size; not TINY) and I chew well. It's 2nd nature. I had to do it intentionally for the first 2-3 days; after that, learning occurred. Now I honestly am STILL working on my 8 oz well done ribeye from Sunday (I can eat it FINE but am full after about 2 oz) and once I've eaten, I am full for hours. It is like a miracle. Like someone flipped a switch in my brain. I am in less food-related pain than at any time before in my life; I am less controlled by food and hunger, I am "satiated" easily and the feeling stays. Nor does it ever hurt me to drink or swallow. It is amazing.

SO Work on your method...chew, small bites, etc..the rest will come. How I know I'm full is this: After each bite I think if I want another (easy because I'm not really ever very hungry) and if i do, I take another bite. I ALWAYS hit a point where I think...ok. One more bite and it's coming back up. No pain.....I'm just, done. I stop there. Wonderful.

Edited June 2, 2009 by RestlessMonkey

[jms462001 9]

Yep! You're eating incorrectly, I think. I hit close to the sweet spot for me at 6.25 cc in March 2009...but with 1 1/2 months to go for nursing school, my senior year, and EVERYTHING INSANE!!!! I didn't have the patience or oomph to make sure I chewed well and took small bites (previous to that level I, like you, could eat ANYTHING, and I did!) The Doc unfilled me to 6.0. FF to May 7...finals over, graduated, Sigma Theta Tau, pressure OFF. I got 6.5 cc (had to cajole my doc) and I haven't felt that misery once. I've lost just at 27.9 pounds in the time since the 7th. I take small bites (about 2/3 to 1/2 my old size; not TINY) and I chew well. It's 2nd nature. I had to do it intentionally for the first 2-3 days; after that, learning occurred. Now I honestly am STILL working on my 8 oz well done ribeye from Sunday (I can eat it FINE but am full after about 2 oz) and once I've eaten, I am full for hours. It is like a miracle. Like someone flipped a switch in my brain. I am in less food-related pain than at any time before in my life; I am less controlled by food and hunger, I am "satiated" easily and the feeling stays. Nor does it ever hurt me to drink or swallow. It is amazing.

SO Work on your method...chew, small bites, etc..the rest will come. How I know I'm full is this: After each bite I think if I want another (easy because I'm not really ever very hungry) and if i do, I take another bite. I ALWAYS hit a point where I think...ok. One more bite and it's coming back up. No pain.....I'm just, done. I stop there. Wonderful.

Ahhhhh, I really do need a fill!!!!! I'm dieting!!!

[jms462001 9]

Ahhhhh, I really do need a fill!!!!! I'm dieting!!!

Oh, and congrats on reaching your sweet spot, your big fast sudden wt loss, and most of all your successful graduation!!!!!!!!!