When do you know if youve hit your sweet spot?

Hi guys, This is a question for all you old timers out there who have been successful in loosing weight. How much food are you able to eat at a time when you've hit your "sweet spot"? I had my first fill and I really don't feel much restriction at this point, so I was wondering if there is a certain amount that you eat comfortably when you know, OK I think Ive hit my "sweet spot"? For example, can you eat a whole can of turkey chilli in one sitting? Im trying to figure out amount sizes and what is considered good restriction... Thanks everyone!!!

I'm never sure if I'm at my so called sweet spot or not.  some will tell you just because you can eat more doesn't mean you should (which I find irritating if I could control the amount I ate I wouldn't of gotten a band)   But I think most will tell you 4-6 oz of SOLID protein and a couple bites of veg.  and you will be good.   By the way a can of chilli usually contains 2 servings so I would say 1/2 a can of chilli.   Just try to control WHAT you are eating and hopefully the so called sweet spot will come along.  If you are eating a single serving of something and feeling satisfied for 4-6 hours I would say you are good.  Jus****ch what a serving actually is.

Good Luck!!!

I don't think that I can eat 6 ounces of solid protein at gunpoint.   LOL

I can eat 60 ounces of chips (I'll bet, but have not tried) -- but lean, solid protein and I are a 3 ounce date ---- and I can cut 3 ounces of steak into about 40 bites.

I do eat several times a day to get my protein allotment --- just get a 'satisfied' feeling or a soft stop after 3 ounces ----- maybe I have programmed my body to know that that is enough after almost 2 years of that quantity.

I got my band three months ago and I have went with no fills so far.  I dont go looking for the sweet spot I dont worry about it .  My doc has never made a issue of those two words .

I think people get so wrapped up looking for this sweet spot it does more damage then good but that is my opinion only .

I use to sit there and measure my food but I dont do that, that just didnt work for me .

When I eat my meals and I fix meals that have at least 25 grams of protein per meal I can go anywhere from 3-5 hrs of not being physical hungry if that is the sweet spot I guess Im there .

I play alot of mental games with myself also and I think any kind of WLS you get if the band, gastric or whatever you have to play them games with yourself.

I know the band is around my stomach , I know that a cup of food is all Im allowed to have and that is what I eat,  I know I will get more food .  I dont sit there and obesse about food counting the hrs down till my next meal,  if I get hungry I eat . 

I just have become very mentally tough since getting the band and that has helped me be as successful as I am for right now skipping fills and keeping to my one cup of food per meal.

Unfortunetly I have had a band since 06 had countless fills and this has never worked for me.Im trying for a revision but was denied.I hope it works for you.To me its just another failed diet,tool whatever they refer to it as.

I agree with aamarie! 16 fills now..............and nothing............complete waste of time and money! I would NOT recomend the band to my worst enemy.

Drs. should tell patients IN ADVANCE that some ppl (MANY ppl actually!) NEVER reach their sweet spot!!!

Hopefully the band will work for you and you will reach yours..........but for many of us..............that was just never our reality! :-(

Good luck!

On average people get to their sweet spot anywhere between 3-5 fills. I think mine was 4. You should know when, you are full on your allotted amount of food (for me it's 4 oz) and stay full for 4-5 hours. Of course you have to be eating dense protein. You will know when you get there, (of course there are people who don't believe in a sweet spot and those who have never found theirs.) You could ask your Dr next time you go for their experiences. Good luck on your first fill and good luck on your new WL journey!!

 Everyone is different. I agree with meri tho 4 -6 oz and keeps you full over 4 hrs.
Give it time. Slow and steady for me. I believe i hit my sweet spot on most days
wendy

 The PA at my surgeon's office always asks "how much chicken breast can you eat at a sitting".  If you can eat more than 4 oz. or so, you may need a fill. 

Personally, I prefer not to think in terms of a "Sweet spot".  It's just not that precise.  I'm sure you've seen the restriction zone chart, but in case you haven't, check this link:

blog.noscales.com/lap-band-green-zone.html

What's more important to understand than the "sweet spot" is what is too tight.  (And if you get too tight and then get a little taken back out, you might be just right.)  For me, "too tight" is when I can't freely drink liquids (have to sip), when I can't eat breakfast, when I can't eat a bandster-size portion of food within 20" or so, when I resort to slider foods because I'm hungry and not eating enough solid food during meals.  Heartburn and "night coughs", or night time acid reflux are also good signs that you're too tight.
 
Tami

Jules,

Thank you for asking that question!  I too wondered about the sweet spot.  The answers were great advice!  I've been looking for that sweet spot (i'm almost a year out) to the point I recently was over filled.  And boy was I sick and lots of heart burn.  I had to go for an unfill.  I feel my journey is about to begin again.  With this new information, I will no longer look for that sweet spot.  I will focus more on my meal planning.