Banded on Jan. 12...have been happy since as I was losing weight (24 lbs. post pre- and post-op) but last night I couldn't get full enough....had beans, cheese, salsa, onions, l/f sour cream...two servings...and now I'm just really down and feel like crying....had the Carnation Instant Breakfast this morning and now feel like I shouldn't eat anything to combat my screw up last night....see my doctor on Feb. 12; hunger and no restriction...is this bandster hell? How do I get out of it? My depression is awful; I don't want to leave my house. If you've gone through this, please tell me how you handled it. I feel like a failure again.:sifone:

Please don't feel like a failure! You are not! For the month after my surgery, before I had my first fill, I was starving ALL THE TIME. I just tried to remind myself that every day I made it through that phase was one day closer to my goal of living a life that was healthy, and how I will FINALLY be taking care of myself the way I should be. I also lost no weight during the first four weeks after surgery, which made it very difficult to remind myself of these things... but I made it. And have had nothing but success since. Just try to be kind to yourself. You are making steps to a happier, healthier you. The hardest part is almost done... the rest is an amazing journey in which you have the opportunity to learn so much about yourself, especially how strong you are!

Hang in there... it only gets better, and I have found it does so exponentially!

Thank you so much for your message. Your words hit home! I appreciate it so much and will regain the confidence I've had in myself up until now. I really hope for a fill when I see the doctor but I've heard that the first fill might not come until six wks post-op. I know I have to deal with whatever is ahead of me and try to make better choices, which I've been pretty good with . . . looking ahead seems to be the key and basing choices on what will be rather than what is at the moment. So, I'll work today on getting this "pity party" finished...maybe starting by getting dressed and leaving the house, walking around the mall or something.

thanks again! and congratulations on the terrific job you have done as you're almost at goal....GREAT!!!!:thumbup:

You should prepare yourself mentally to have your weight stall for quite a while. Until you reach true restriction, through your fills, you will be in bandster hell. I'm there now and have suffered from depression in the past. I am doing everything to maintain my weight right now. I get my second fill on Monday but others have said it can take 5-6 fills to get to your sweet spot. Don't beat yourself up for last night. Just start now to make an effort to at least maintain during this trying period. Best wishes!!!

Wow! You can already eat real food! Count your blessings! I had to be on liquids for 4 weeks after my surgery. My doc always told me (I'm on my 2nd band by the way), not to worry about weight loss till you get restriction. Of course, that doesn't mean to pig out, but you have to be patient. Just remember how long it took to put it on. It comes off very slowly. I got my band in June and have not lost any weight yet, because I still have hardly any restriction after 5 fills. He just keeps telling me to be patient. I'll get there. We all want instant success, but that just doesn't happen for a lot of us with the lapband. Hang in there, it will happen eventually. And if you need to, get that stuff out of your house. You know - all that stuff that doesn't help you toward your goal. Good luck!