TraciL

I think your experience may be why my surgeon had me on such a strict post op protocol. I was banded in March 2014. My regimen was six weeks of full liquids post op then a fill. At that fill I was told to eat 800 calories a day. It was not easy and most days I was around 1000. It took some discipline to stay compliant but I was lucky and I felt my band working pretty early on. Now at 6-1/2 months out and four fills I'm pretty sure I'm in the green. Most days it's easy to eat well. However if I choose the wrong foods or don't start a meal with solid Protein I can overdo it.

Amen!

Thanks for sharing this, I was just banded yesterday, and I will keep this in mind over the next few months:)

Thank you for posting this. I'm a couple of weeks post op an I'm really having to watch what I put in my mouth! The scale isn't moving with getting an average of 1400 cal in daily. I look forward to some fills!

Sorry you had to go
through bandsters hell so misinformed !! It would of helped if you had known what to expect !!!! But im glad to see you're on your way to Loserville !!! Hope all continues to go well ! Keep up the good work !!

I was banded on June 4th, 2014. I started at 265, dropped weight before the surgery, and dropped over ten pounds the two weeks post op. I was so happy, so excited to see such a change so immediately. No one, not even my doctor, warned me about the months that follow surgery. I went in to the surgery with the idea that it would work from the get-go, and that my restriction combined with the will from pre-surgery would create an unstoppable momentum.
I was grossly misinformed.
I was allowed to eat more than creams and liquids around the end of June/beginning of July. With the lack of a fill, I was able to eat and drink any and everything. It was disheartening. I thought over and over again that I was one of the % of people who wouldn't see success with the LB. The emotional toll that it took was the hardest.
I had fill in June, July, and August. I was at 7 cc's and wasn't seeing any difference at all. My lifestyle, while I had been hopeful, had become even more sedentary and unhealthy the longer I went without seeing any change. I felt that the surgery was for naught. The TR ladies were helpful, but with gaining one to two pounds with every check-in, I went from 265, to 247, to 253 by September 26th.
I had my last fill the 26th, up to 7.5 cc's. I had liquids the first 24 hours, then went to regular foods. Immediately I felt a difference.I had gotten too used to eating too fast, too much, too quickly. Within minutes I was full--and could see that 7.5 cc's was the absolute perfect setting for me at the moment.
I'm down to 244 and at my lowest weight in two years. Bandster hell is real. It's hard. It's depressing. It's also something I wish friends and doctors would have told me about to prepare for. Here's to making it through the toughest 4 months, and being confident that things are going to work out
J

My husband LOVES Giordano's. I guess it's a Chicago thing. Me? I actually like Papa John's. But now, that will be too doughy.
I guess it hit me simply because I'm still on the liquid post-op diet, the guys had frozen pizzas for dinner tonight, and we are ordering pizzas for my son's adoption finalization party this Saturday. (My husband is adopting my son tomorrow. It's very exciting for all of us)

That is my worry too! I have gained about 5 lbs back and I don't get my first fill till 9/10 and he said that would just prime the system. He also just went ahead and said that I would not probably really feel any restriction until December. I am hungry, real hungry. I am bad about not being able to go t sleep if I am hungry so I have figured out to drink a Protein Shake before bed and that lets me go to sleep. I can eat anything without it getting stuck or even giving me any trouble. No sliming, or hiccups or anything. I know that this is bandster h--- but I am beginning to think that this is not going to work for me. I sure hope it does. Have you weighed any to see if any weight has returned?

Last night, I was hungry and I cannot sleep. I gulped on propel Water and ate one string cheese. I was able to sleep like a baby.

This is bandster hell and you just have to use self control and just diet even though you are hungry. Once the fills start working, you will find that you are not hungry all the time and it will be easier to eat better and eat less.

I have no fill in the band JuneBug36, that's why I am hungry. My surgeon said no fill until 6 to 8 weeks.
I'm just worried that I'll gain all the pounds I lost.

I am always hungry. No fills yet

I'm anxiously awaiting my first fill tomorrow. My appetite has been ravenous. I'm ready for the green zone.

Hang in there!!! I was banded on July 25 and just finished the "mushy" food phase. What has helped me the most is a good Protein Shake, blended with ice to make it a little thicker.

I know exactly how you feel. I'm one week post-op as of today and I feel like I am doing things wrong. I am following the instructions, to a "t" and am starving. I am afraid I'm going to screw something up. My swelling is gone, but my incisions are still healing. I have my first post-op appointment next week and I'm nervous. I know I shouldn't get discouraged because I'm not losing a whole lot (with my pre-op diet, I lost 24lbs) because I have a long way to go. But- at the same time, I'm scared I'm stretching my pouch, even a little bit. I'm scared.
I'm kind of happy that I stumbled into this website... and you guys... because I was googling things like "Post-op lap band, I don't feel full" and I was terrified...
Best of luck, and friend me if you like- I don't have any haha.

Traci L. ! You are almost the exact same weight I was when I got banded, and I understand your temptation issues. I found that when I ate my Protein 1st, fruits and veggies 2nd, carbs last, I really didnt have hardley ANY room for junk. If I still craved something sweet, I was happy with a small cookie or a WW ice cream bar. I swam 3 x a week, walked 1x a week. And im not lying , the weight started coming off immediately. On surgery day ( Dec 13, 2011) I was 220 lbs. By end of Feb, I was down another 15 lbs. Everyone 's body will respond differently, but if you stick to the rules, you will be much more successful. Wishing you luck !!! You can do this !!

No offense, but I do not consider weight loss within the first week, perhaps the first month, real weight loss...
I know it's nice, and feels good to see the scale move down, but reality will set in eventually and there are too many people here come back and say how frustrated they are.......they're at a stall, etc...
I lost weight the first month, post op diet, liquids, mushies, etc. even had my first fill at 4 weeks. Was also allowed to go back on solid foods at that 4 week mark......and everything I lost in those 4 weeks I gained back, plus I gained a few, just like every diet I have ever been on prior to surgery.......at the 8 week mark, I went in for my 2nd fill. I was upset with myself, but my Dr. just laughed at me, saying I didn't "understand it" yet, I had a lot to learn to be truly successful.

I know how you feel. I was banded June 3 and until recently, couldn't tell the band was even there. I felt hungry and no restriction. I know the band is a tool, but I couldn't tell it was doing anything.
I've had 3 fills now and the one week before last finally gave me hope this might actually work. I see my surgeon again tomorrow and will ask for a little more fill, which I hope will put me firmly in the green zone.

I know exactly how you feel. I was banded in July. I am STARVING!!! I eat a lot Protein, drink a lot of Water and stay out of the kitchen. It has been challenging. But seeing the numbers go down on the scale makes it all worth it. Hang in there.

I had my first pre op appt yesterday and talked to the dr about this whole not doing the right thing problem I have. I confessed to everything. He said that I needed to get my head straight cause I would probably not feel any restriction until December. DECEMBER! He said he has his hardest time with people like me that need to lose 60-80 lbs. Because we are on the lower end of the weight loss spectrum we tend to be unrestricted (swelling gone) the fastest and even with the smallest band, have the longest time to get to the restrictive feeling. I have found that this is a mind game. I want to quit and wonder why I even did it. But the band is there and I cannot just "not use it" because of the problems that can cause so I have to do right. Back to mushies...First fill Sept 10. Doc said it will probably just prime the system with 2 cc. Sorry that I aggravate so many on here but it was also nice to have those couple comments from those who are like me. At least I am not an alien..lol
Later
Traci

Wow!!! I'm just curious as to why one would go through such lengths to have obesity surgery and have been given information on what to do but then not do it???? Not trying to be mean here but I was scared to death to deviate from the plan immediately after surgery. Grant it I didn't always choose the best to eat especially when I was so darn hungry and it showed at least not this early after surgery. I gained a few pounds. Defeating the purpose. I listened to my team and kept telling myself to just do it. You know Nike's motto and I tell you the same. This is the most important part of the surgery and you can do it. Please stick to the liquid phase the amount of time they have told you. Your success or failure lies with you. So what are you going to be??? Successful or a failure? Congratulations on being banded and best wishes.

You can do this! Remember why you went through this surgery! Good luck to you all at making better choices!

Traci..... Although I'm not happy for you I am happy someone is going through the same exact thing as me. I was just banded on July 30 and I think I'm healing pretty well because I have no restriction at all and I tested the waters by eating chips also. I'm freaking starving!!! I'm starting to fall off and not listen to the doctors. I'm here with you girl!!! we have to get back on track together and stick to the plan

Im in the same boat!! I feel like i have fallen back to old habits! Me no likey!

Welcome to "Bandster Hell". You've had the surgery, but probably no fill, sooooooo , that means no restriction. Yet. Until you get to fills and the green zone, you'll have to watch what you eat very carefully... My Dr.s orders were Protein 1st, fruits and veggies 2nd, carbs last. No fast food, limit sweets, exercise min 3x a week. Lots of Water. Its not that hard. But the payoff is sweeeeet !!!!! You can do this too. We've got your back. Good luck !!!