2savemylife

Whew! I thought I was the only one who was starving! I am about 3 1/2 wks post-op and Im starving!! I do minimum of 2 protein shakes a day, protein water, greek yogurt, broth and of course water, water, water. Wasnt scheduled for my first fill until 9/26, but dont think I can make it that long so they made it for next week. After reading the other responses regarding 'banded hell', I think Im there! And Im scared if I dont get a fill soon Im going to blow this (already lost 17lbs). This is tougher than I thought it was gonna be..but Im in it for the long haul! My health matters to me, and I wanna at least see my grandchildren get married

I had my first fill last week under x ray, it all slightly weirded me out but that's because I am weird lol. Any way ot didn't hurt, my doctor gave me a think fluid to drink while he was doing it and some water, i got 4ml, but here i am now with no restriction, so im looking to make another appt. I read somewhere that cold fluids tighten your band so to speak and warm ones loosen it, this rings true for me so maybe bare that in mind before hand :-)

You mentioned cost, as an option if you have a Big Lots near you, you may want to run Zoic drinks by your nutritionist. They are 15 gram protein, 90 calories, and really low in carbs, like 1-2 depending on the flavor,and I'm talking net carbs after you deduct the fiber. I'm in regular food stage now and I still drink these and they are good. They are $5.00/4 pack, but I'm talking prices in Kentucky. They are located in the medicine area of the store. Whey protein makes me sick, but these don't. Just a thought.

Everyone feels different about the fill so here's my take:
I dont mind needles but for some reason this process makes me feel a little queasy, especially the part where he feels for the port..ewwww weird feeling. I have the fill with the use of a fluoroscope (sp) so I get to watch the white drink stuff flow before the fill and then sit and drain after the fill YAY.
When they tell you to have liquids, they mean it. Dont rush to get back to solid foods right away. My dr tells me liquids for 24 hours but I find it takes about 48 hours for me to feel ok about it. Dont forget to keep up with drinking your Water too and taking your Vitamins.
Also, dont be sad or discouraged if you dont feel "restriction". First off, its not actually restriction but feeling and STAYING satisfied is the feeling you are looking for. And after your first fill the staying satisfied part might last 1-2 weeks or maybe only a few days. Like I said, everyone is different.
Im excited for you too! I remember what that was like when I first got filled last month!!

I had 3cc's put in my first fill, which was 6 weeks after surgery. A week later I had another 2cc's put in. I feel some restriction, but not much. I have a 14cc band though. So its obviously a bit bigger, takes more to fill it up.

Iv had testriction from day one but the doc also put 2 cc in at time of surgery! 4 weeks out got my first fill now im due for another and i can tell my band is ready! And so am i! I go in friday! Thatll put me at 6cc in my 10 cc band! Good luck!
' FEELIN IT '

My 1st fill was 6 weeks after surgery. I had 3ccs put in while swallowing the white chalky substance under the X-ray machine. No restriction just swelling from the fill. I had to be on liquids for 2 days after. I also have an 11cc band.

I had my surgery July 31st, but I feel no restrictions when eating....,, I just have to tell myself to stop

ok so i am week 4 now and in bandster hell... so how far out was your 1st fill? What size band did you have ( mine is 10cc) and was it effective? did you feel restriction? also did you se floro? thanks yall

Are you getting all of your protein in each day and water besides the carbs? I was told by someone who has been banded for 3 years that the 2oz portion of protein it is hard to get all the protein in so it is best have a double scoop of protein in the morning and add the rest with your other 2 meals. I am concerned about my protein intake as well. Or maybe the amount of food is not enough to keep your matabolism going meaning not enough calories. It is a fine line to get in your calories, stay within your carb intake and get the calories. Because when you eat yogurt and cottage cheese there are carbs involved so it is a tough tight rope to cross. I asked my nutritionis to get back to me with specific carb, protein and fat intake per day so I can try to get this right. I start mushies tomorrow and the amount of food that which is EX: 1 egg for breakfast, 2oz of protein, with 2 tablespoons of hummus or squash for lunch and a 1/2 cup of chili for dinner.

I had to wait 14 weeks for my first fill due to medical complications, and had only 3 cc's put in as I've had some restriction since having my band placed. After 2 fills, I'm only at 3.5cc's. My surgeon did not want to increase the restriction at all as I am scheduled for surgery this week.
At this rate, I believe 4cc's will be the most restriction I want to have. Since my second fill, my level of restriction has increased significantly.

My first full was at 6 weeks. I have a 10cc band and had 5.4cc first fill and 1.2cc at my second fill

You may have reached a weight loss plateau...which is normal. I would be quite surprised if your surgeon has not already recommended that you follow a low carb diet pre op, post op, and for the rest of your life.
My surgeon was very specific as to the amount and types of carbs which are acceptable post op; only 2 oz as measured by volume with every meal. I was also advised to eliminate any foods from my diet which had any added sugars and stay with SF foods whenever possible.
Also, don't forget to get your exercise in...that's a part of breaking through the weight loss plateau. Changing up the amount and type of exercise you do, and also changing up the number of calories you consume daily have been observed to break through the plateau. I usually wait them out, as I never count calories, only measure portions and make good food choices.
Best wishes...

And you're drinking lots of Water and still in recovery. When you get back in the swing, you'll be moving more, shopping, walks and appointments. All this will burn more calories. What you have is water weight and you will lose some weight, but you will notice inches changing. Be positive, you're doing great on weight control. You are way ahead of most people in losing weight prior to the band. The band fills will be later as you adjust to the band.
Keep the faith.

i agree.. dont react to whats going on... just allow your body to re adjust and the weight loss will come. theres no guarantee that you will lose heaps in a month... but as long as you lose thats the main thing. The best result is a long term one, not short term.

Pretty normal. The band is doing nothing for you until the fills start. I see you've lost quite a bit already. I started out at around 380 lost 100 from diet and execise, had surgery and have lost another 70. I am not trying to be a downer but I think you should prepare to be a slow loser. Your body is not "shocked" by this new diet. It has already lost 72 pounds.

I was on clears 2 days, fulls the rest of the week and can start mushies after one week.
Pennie

beware grits!!!! Even though I was about week 7 or 8 IIRC, I had a mere taste of grits mixed with a little egg and had major PB episodes over the next 300 miles...yes, we were traveling down the coast & I left a trail....
The mushy phase served me mostly very well but caution, patience and going very slowly is advised.

From being on the board here I see that every doctor is different. I was banded on 6/27/12 and went for my first fill today. At the time of surgery they filled my band with 4cc's...so today they filled me with half of cc. I was instructed to go back on liquids for 24 hours....then 2 days of shakes 3x's a day....then 2 days of mushy/soft then back on food. They want to see me back in two weeks to see how its going. Trying to find that "sweet spot" as SandyMax puts it Before today I had to stop myself when I was eating and yes....I was/am HUNGRY!!!I Im hoping that we find the right fit soon....I dont think this is gonna do it for me....lol. I have lost a total of 27lbs in 6 weeks but of course I am anxious for more to come off lol. Just one day at a time

I was banded in December and was so hungry and tired of holding back, I attacked a bucket of chicken a week post op. (Hey, if i had self control i wouldnt need the band)
Hang in there it gets better.
I only lost 20 pounds in the first few months after surgery, but once i found my sweet spot i am losing a consistent 2 pounds a week and now I am in heaven.
Dont worry, you are normal, and all of our individual experiences with the band are different.

Hi all-
I live in Apopka, just north of Orlando. I was banded on Nov 24, 2008 by Dr. Ortiz at the OCC in TJ. I had my first fill on Jan 19 in St Pete with Kathy Gonzales. At the time I couldn't find anyone closer. Now I don't care if there is anyone closer; she is AMAZING!
Would love to be part of a support group.
sue

Buy a food scale! Measure out your 3 oz of protein and then eat about a cup of low fat/cal veggies. You WILL over eat if you don't measure.

I am seven days post op. I had 10 days of Protein shakes and 3 days of Clear liquids before surgery. I hated it, but was not as hungry as I thought I would be. I have heard a lot of the banded hell once the swelling goes away and before your first fill. I have decided if I get to that point, I will convert to the 3 shakes a day and only eat green veggies if I must chew, like brocolli and cut out all carbs except the carbs that are in my shake. If I survived for 10 days on the shakes and survived the 3 days of clear liquid, I can go back to that. I know from being a career dieter, that if you cut your carbs out you will not be as hungry.
Just my therory. I will see when it happens to me if this theory works.

Hello
I was banded on July 9th and go for my first fill tomorrow....so when I went for post op appt 2 wks ago the nutritionist said these weeks are trial and error weeks...try stuff see what you can and can't eat....I try not to eat more then 1 cup of food at a time....and very very slowly....
I look forward to not feeling hungy with less food....although all eyes on me on Friday I have a wedding to attend however good news I am down 34 lbs and was size 26/28 and dress wearing on Friday is 2X

We call it band hell....you're so not hungry at all and a switch flips and suddenly you are starving. IT SUCKS!!!!! I drank Water all day long in an attempt not to eat. Thank God It only kicked in a week before my puréed foods started! I lived off retried Beans after that, only purée that really stuck with me.