I got my surgery done on January 27, 2010 (yay~) and my first fill on February. I'm somewhat concerned, in that, I lost a whole bunch of weight at first, and now I'm not losing any at all and I'm HUNGRY all the time. I got my first fill on Feb. 26, but I don't feel any different. I'm still extremely hungry, and I'm eating far more then the Doctor said I should be able to. I've been reading forums on this, and people are saying that when that happens, they need more in their fill (I'm not sure it's RIGHT, but I have to get some info somewhere) yet when I asked my doctor's Assistant, she said I just need will power.

*twitch*

It's hard to not eat when you feel like you're starving, how can I have will power? Is this right, or should I ask my Doctor straight forwardly if I need more in my fill?

I was in the same boat. I had my surgery nov. 16 2009. I was so excited about my first fill but it didn't do squat. I waited until my next appointment. I felt some restriction after the second fill. In hindsite I would have called to see if I could get in to see the doc sooner. Best of luck! Don't worry, your band will work and you will love it!

Thanks so much, hun, for the prompt reply. I'm really freaking out over it >.< I'll schedule an appointment a.s.a.p. then.

I was the same as you but I had gained weight between surgery and first fill, it will get better when you get more fills, it just takes more for some people than others, don't worry. And by the way as far as the "you need more willpower comment" that is pure ignorance. The band doesn't run on willpower, it works with saline injections.

Maybe you could ask her for a willpower injection into your port.

lol! I'm sure she'd get a kick out of that. She gets 200 bucks for giving me a fill of willpower >.<

Edited March 4, 201016 yr by Psycloberry

I feel bad about my previous post, I don't want you to think I was being flip, I understand your concerns. If the band worked on its own it wouldn't even have the port, the band makers would save the money on production costs.

Please don't get discouraged. After my first fill I started losing but after my second I really got with it and have been losing 2 pounds a week on average. My fill nurse said wait 3 weeks between fills to let the swelling go down before getting another fill. Just use this time to work on eating good quality foods in small portions, even if you have to eat 5 times a day until you get some restriction. If you follow through with your fill schedule and your after care you will do well.

And my favorite advice, journal everything. If you put it in your mouth write it down.

I just scheduled fill #5 I have 8.2 cc in a 9cc band. I am getting close but not there yet. I had 3 out of the 4 under flouro so they were pretty aggressive. I lost 35 quickly and have lost the other 10 over the course of 3 months. It is a long process and I wouldn't fret it too much until you get restriction.

I just posted this blog maybe it will help...

It’s Not Bandster Hell…It’s the Waiting Room of Band Opportunity

I read few blogs today of folks that are in the proverbial Bandster Hell. Some are eating and frustrated, some are using Weight Watchers to fill the void and others are just hungry. I do think that LapBand medical community needs to be a little more effective in helping people through this phase of the process. My take on things is they do a great job upfront with the sales pitch and the pre-op prep. I think most doctors do a good job with the operation day and the basic post-op recovery. However, there seems to be a decided gap between the operation and the restriction phase of the band process.

Which as we all know has been labeled Bandster Hell or BH for this blog. So for those of you in, or approaching BH, here is a check list to think about:

1. Avoid Consumption as Usual – it seems fairly common that once you are basically healed, many people can eat all they want and some like to test the limits of what you can eat. Needless to say this is not what we want to do. Just, assume that you can eat like the old you, but don’t do it. 

2. Prepare a BH Menu – Knowing the BH is coming, plan a special menu that is healthy and helps you keep the right habits until you have restriction. I would plan it just like you were at restriction just don’t beat yourself up if the portions are bigger during this time. One person was doing Weight Watcher, some do South Beach, but whatever it is knowledge and planning are power here.

3. Focus on 5-6 Meals a Day – For me the best way to manage BH is to get some 8oz dishes with lids (I got mine at Smart and Final) then plan on eating every 3-4 hours. This keeps me focused on small meals, but allows me to have some extra healthy food.

4. Get Your Protein – Use whey Protein to help you get enough protein. I mix mine with yogurt and blueberries, oatmeal and other foods to load up on it.

5. Focus on Exercise – This is a great time to get your

exercise program going and that will help you interim weight management, and make the time when you do have restriction more productive.

6. You Are Not Failing – BH is part of winning in the long term. You are supposed to go through this part of the journey. Don’t beat yourself up. This time is available to you to prepare for the restriction phase of the process

7. You Did Not Do This For Nothing – Reading hundreds of these threads from folks who have walked through the valley of BH, all agree when you get to the other side it will be worth it for you. You did not deal with Pre-Op, spend the money, or go through surgery for nothing.

8. Embrace the Process – This is one of the stages of BH, don’t fight it, make it work for you. Focus on picking good foods, get your body in better shape with exercise and focus on the positive.

Like many of you I am trudging my way through BH. I am staying focused getting to the other side and finding the promised land of restriction.

The pre-op program I am in recommends a small protein-based snack in between meals if you are hungry untill you have adequate restriction.....I won't be banded until 3/31 so i don't know if this works....but I guess I'll be finding out! But I agree with the last post, if it weren't for these message boards and the blogs I follow I wouldn't have known to anticipate the "banster-hell" phase. Knowing to expect it has helped me prepare for it mentaly.

I had surgery in December. First fill almost 2 months later. I was so much hungrier after my first fill, I felt like a made a mistake getting a fill because I thought I was better off before. I was hungry morning until night and although I stuck to the meal plan it was torture. I then spoke to my doctor and he gave me 1/2cc fill and it made a world of difference. Talk to your doctor, tell them how you are feeling. Mine was so understanding and knew exactly what I was going through. Good Luck.:smile2: