2muchfun

Funny, you went to taco bell. So did I. I gobbled down 2 burritos and felt very full but they went down no problem. I too am in bandster hell right now. Waiting for fill #2 and crossing my fingers I get some restriction with #2.

No worries! You're no different than the vast majority of banders. I got banded about 7 weeks ago and have had one fill and I'm still hungry and feel no restriction. Looking forward to fill #2 on 2/2/12. If you want to lose weight before you get the fill that creates restriction, you'll have to diet. I know that sucks but it's up to you? For me, I'm trying to eat right and exercise. I'm treading Water and have lost 12 lbs but I plateaued 3 weeks ago.

Someone earlier said that Dr's don't tell you about bandster hell. So true. I really thought I'd be well on my way to losing my first 30 lbs but looks like that will have to weight(pun intended).

Vitamins, supplements etc. Shouldn't be a problem. Tomatoes come in many different disguises. Soup, salsa, Pasta sauce, bloody mary(virigin of course);o)

From what I understand, most bandsters find different foods that they can't eat due to blockage and they even say our appetite for foods we once loved and hated may change. I wouldn't know yet, I've only had one fill and I'm not experiencing any restriction yet. But I've been to several support group meetins and read a lot on this forum.

I wouldn't be too concerned about not liking veggies though.

How much candy do you eat?

I too have a similar problem. My heartburn seems to come on around 2 am. Doesn't happen all the time but it's annoying and sometimes I just get up, have a drink of Water and sleep on the couch. I've only had one fill and so far I feel no restriction and can eat as I did prior to surgery.

I would have preferred to get my first fill sooner myself and after the first fill did nothing I was ready for a 2nd 1 week after the first. But Dr's have their own agenda.

If you feel like the current fill you got yesterday is working you can cancel the 2nd fill. No Dr can force you to accept a new fill. You should feel happy that your Dr is willing to add more Fluid or take some out so soon.

Some insurance companies require it. Mine required I go to 2 plus 2 support group meetings.

Banded 11/28/11, first fill 01/05/12. Virtually no restriction yet. No change, I can eat what I want(but I'm not). Already scheduled my next fill on 2/2/12. Just a continuation of "Bandster Hell" so far.

Your profile doesn't say where you reside but I'd google bariatric surgery or click on surgeon in the tab bar at the top of this page. Most surgeons offer seminars on how the band works and what you will need to do. Also, they can give you information on support group meetings in your area that you can attend. Go to 2-3 seminars and sit in on several support groups before you decide.

If insurance becomes a problem, consider self-pay. It's usually in the neighborhood of $10K which seems like a lot but most people will drop $20K on a car without a thought. Wish I would have done this years ago with or without insurance.

B-52,

I like your slogan "It's all about Restriction! Otherwise it's just another diet." That's how I feel right now. Losing weight but mostly because I'm dieting. I'm rather impatient since it took me 2.5 years to finally get through all the insurance hoops and have my surgery. Now I find that the band doesn't work immediately. Thought I had all the angles down but I'm still in limbo till I get that fill that sends the signal, "you've eaten enough fatass". LOL

Banded 11/28/11, first fill 01/05/12, 2nd fill scheduled for 2/2/12. My Dr. offers unlimited fills with the surgery. I think it's just part of his charge. I have BCBS anthem.

2nd fill will take place if and when you need it but most docs prefer 4+ weeks. My 1st fill did virtually nothing. Hoping #2 is more successful.

I wish I would have known about Bandster Hell and the fact that the first fill may not give me the restriction I want to lose weight. I'm 6 weeks post op and I feel virtually no restriction. I'm still losing or maintaining my early loss of weight but only because I'm paying attention to what I eat. Still waiting on the band to be a tool.

C

Go to youtube and search for lapband fill. There are many videos of bandsters getting fills. It looks rather frightening but they all say it was not painful.

Relax. Once you get a fill or three you'll be back on track. Right now you have no restriction and it's the holidays. Schedule your fill with your Doc as soon as you feel up to it.

This is bandster hell.

I look forward to meeting you and others but I believe that's my local support group meeting day so I may not make it.

Dan

Fatboy is right. We're in bandster hell right now. I'm 4 weeks out myself and I can eat the same amount as I could 5 weeks ago(I don't though). I don't eat as much and I do seem to feel fuller but it's obvious that I have virtually no restriction. I recall in support groups and from my pre op seminars that I will only be able to sip 2 ozs at a time. HA! I can down a 10 oz glass of Water just as I did prior to surgery. Hoping my first fill on Jan 5th does the trick but I've read that it could take several fills before I find the right level of restriction for me.

I personally have no problem with the level of restriction I have at this point. I'm not losing and I'm not gaining. Just going sideways over the holidays is a victory for me. Ready to hit it hard in 2012!!

Dan

Julie,

Apria came by and picked up my O2 Tuesday. Chae took me off O2 on the 15th. I sure slept better when I was on O2. If not for the hassle it creates with all the tubes etc, I'd use it every night if I could.

Looking forward to seeing you again at our next Red Robin Rendezvous.

Merry Christmas!

You'e in bandster hell. That's the first weeks or months before you get a fill that causes the right restriction. I too am no longer losing but that's because I can eat anything I want and don't feel any kind of restriction. Getting my first fill Jan 5th and hoping it is all I need but from what I read, it could be several more fills till I get that right fit. Good luck.

Hi Patty. Hope to meet you too. I did some searches here and on youtube. I doubt I have any slippage, I'm just nervous that I can still eat as much as I can. I was hoping for more restriction right after surgery but this is normal I understand. Jan 5th is my first fill. Looking forward to hitting it hard in 2012.

Merry Christmas to all!

Doctor knows best.

You're in bandster hell right now. It'll probably be this way till you get the right fill. Basically your band is wide open and you're feeling hunger just like you would have if you didn't have surgery. You have to decide if you want to stick to a strict diet(never worked before right?) or indulge till you get your first fill. I'm about 17 days out and I'm allowing myself to eat some Protein shakes, egg drop Soup, Tomato Soup, egg salad, tuna salad or something soft like deli smoked turkey. I'm still losing weight but I refuse to feel hunger. It's so uncomfortable and isn't that why we were banded in the first place. If you have the will power to stay on a diet, then eat only 3 times a day. But throwing together about 4 ozs of cottage cheese with some applesauce(or one of the other options above) seems to satisfy me between meals. Hope this helps.

BTW-This is simply a suggestion and I'm not a doctor and perhaps you should consult your doctor or nutritionist? This works for me but may not work for you?

Dan

Julie,

I don't have a date set up but I'm shooting for the first week in January. I'm feeling virtually no restriction and can eat most anything I want. Still losing weight because I am being careful and trying not to pig out over these holidays. Sometimes I fear the band has slipped and it's not where it should be. But I searched these forums and that seems to be a concern for many bandsters. Looking forward to that first fill and hoping I feel some restriction. Merry Christmas and good luck Tuesday.

Dan

I'm in for Red Robin in January Julie. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Mom, I was banded on 11/28 and I think I started to turn the corner 5 days later on 12/3 but definitely felt better one week post op. My incisions were oozing, painful to the touch, itchy and the flesh around them was bruised and tender. Here I am 12 days later and it's so much better. It's somewhat disappointing for me that I don't feel my band much at all. I think I have some restriction but not enough to keep me from adding on pounds. Hope this helps?

BTW- I've lost 11 lbs so far. Woo Hoo!

Momnear40, You need to go back to square one. You didn't say how much fruit juice you drink but you should drop any beverages with calories.

No drinks with sugar and yes, capri sun has tons of sugar. No chocolate. Eating any kind of sugar defeats the low carb lifestyle. And most Dr's don't recommend Atkins. There are many other foods with carbs in them that are good for you but contain complex carbs and not simple sugars like you are consuming.

The band is a tool that you should use to help you stay satiated with less food till you can drop those pounds. I'd highly recommend you see your Dr or nutritionist?

Dan