ok.. now im 23 days post op and hungry all the time.. i eat my 4 ounces within the 30min window and i dont drink 1 hour before or 1 hour after i eat.. after i eat the 4 ounces im still so hungry i dunno what 2 do.. is this common? does it get any better after my first fill?

Hi

I got my 1st fill last week and its a little better, my doctor told me its different for everyone and some people need a few fills before they fill anything,.... I am also a little down with my loss but I will keep trying and find what works for me.. Good luck and just wait you will start seeing the changes it just takes time:smile2:

Yes, it's common. Very, very common.

You may or may not experience a difference related to your first fill. For me, Fill #2 effected some change, but it was Fill #3 that made a real difference. (It remains to be seen whether it will linger.)

Hang in there--it does get better!

I was banded a few days before you and was told to eat 6 ounces at each meal and if I was still hungry to eat 8.

I've been living on 6 ounces for Breakfast, usually a 4 ounce yogurt and 2 ounces of cottage cheese.

About 8 ounces for lunch and then 6 ounces for dinner.

I didn't start getting hungry until last week. I ate a little more than I planned to but tried to stay positive. On Friday the band reminded me it was there by clogging up in public and again yesterday at home. I am back on board with the 6-8-6 again.

A trick to fighting hunger pangs is to brush your teeth when they come. It takes your appetite away.

Stay positive. Your fills are right around the corner. My first is April 21.

I have had one fill and have hunger,not to the extent you describe. I have heard a lot of people say its fill#3-#5 b4 it seems to be operating 100%. Remember its a tool and it may take some time. Are you doing protien shakes? I find if I keep my daily protien at 80mg it helps fight the hunger A LOT. Hang in there!!

ok.. now im 23 days post op and hungry all the time.. i eat my 4 ounces within the 30min window and i dont drink 1 hour before or 1 hour after i eat.. after i eat the 4 ounces im still so hungry i dunno what 2 do.. is this common? does it get any better after my first fill?

I was told that you could drink up until you take your first bite of food. THEN you had to wait 45mins to drink after you eat. I was never told that you couldnt drink BEFORE you eat. Perhaps that is attributing to part of your hunger?

I too, am still hungry after 4 ounces. I had my first fill and barely any Fluid was put into the band. The fluid got stuck at one point, so they had to take most of the fluid out. I barely have any restriction still. However, I find myself still able to eat almost as much as before my fill. Like people say, it takes several fills to find that "sweet spot."

The difference between me and most people is, I didnt have a fill for nearly FIVE months after my surgery. My Mother died the week I was supposed to have my first fill and I chose to spend the days she had left with her and cancelled my fill appointment. THe next available appointment with my surgeon was TWO months later. I have since lost 47 pounds and the doctor was amazed that I lost that much weight...even without the resistance. He said that at the rate I am losing weight, that I should have NO PROBLEM hitting my goal by my one year.

Each person is different. Dont feel frustrated. I could have easily lost double my weight. I havent been exercising as much as I should be because of my Mother's passing. I am depressed. But I am still happy that I am losing something. Even if it isnt as much as I would like it to be.

Hang in there and dont get frustrated just yet. IT takes time to work!! Good luck!

It sounds like you still need some restriction. Upping your Protein will definitely help with hunger pains. I dring Water right up until I begin my meal.

Hangin there!

I was banded a week ago and feel like I could really overeat... I don't feel any indication that the band is providing even minimal restriction. This is becoming annoying as the further postop I get, the hungrier I find myself getting. I am on a mushie/semi solid diet, also recommended to have 4 ounces. I have been loosing weight, but it is because I am exercising incredible control not to put too much in my mouth... I am hoping my first fill will at least provide SOME feeling or indication that the band is there, because I don't think I can keep up like this.

I am 2 weeks post surgery, & I feel frustrated because I don't feel like I am losing weight & I am hungry like I was before the surgery, but of course I can't eat as much as I used to. I need to drink more protein shakes, I am going to try harder tomorrow. Stay positive & change up something up, maybe that will help.*

Im with you ladytrue....I was banded on Feb 23 and last thursday I had my first fill....however i still find I am really hungry and I dont know what to do??? Ive been sticking to the liquids for the first few days and thought I would use optifast again but the hunger is there and its a little disappointing

well i was told 30min to an hour before food and now my doc and nutricionsit want me off protien shakes the said no more liquid calories.. i know its just a tool.. but im tierd of only thinking of food all the time.. im gonna try the toothbrushing thing and im going to see if drinking before my meal helps any

P.S jennrobb.. sorry to hear about ur mom :0(

What you're experiencing is absolutely normal. As far as I can tell, just about everyone goes thru this, with the exception of those lucky few who have restriction right from the start. Hopefully you'll start experiencing some restriction at your first fill, but don't expect to be at your "sweet spot" with your first fill. You just have to tough it out, and remember that it's all worth it. What you're experience has been aptly named Bandster Hell. But it will get better. Remember that you have all of us here on the boards for support, and we're here every step of the way.

Doctors really vary on the time frame for drinking - mine says to wait 30 minutes before and after a meal before drinking, so do whatever YOUR doctor said.

If you are truly hungry talk with your doctor's office. They may advise you to take some Protein between "meals" (my doctor's office did). If you let yourself get too hungry, with hunger pains, you run the risk of overdoing and you don't want that. Talk with your doctor's office to see what they suggest. Until you start getting fills you likely won't have much restriction and they realize that.

Good luck!

I have hunger...but I also have restriction after 4-5 oz of food...I feel like I have eatin Thanksgiving dinner! But I did not have any hunger until week #2.

I am upset mainly because I have stopped loosing weight. I had lost 17lbs since surgery, but after that...I have been stuck at the same weight for an entire week...NOT MOVING WHATSOEVER!!!

Unfortunately, I have been told that this is normal, and I will not see anymore loss until I get my first fill, which will be April 20th...sooo excited.

Timbergurl...I am right there with you, 2 weeks post surgery & have lost 14 pounds, but have stayed at that weight for over a week with no loss~I am frustrated, but I know that this to SHALL pass!!! Trying to focus on eating more Protein to keep me 'full', that of course can cause constipation! so, now I am drinking "Milk of Magnesia".* :thumbup:

WE MUST KEEP ON KEEPING ON...one day at a time!!!

Gosh, I read through all responses and I didn't see anyone mention what it's called that you are going through:

Bandster Hell!

This is the time between the surgery and your first couple of fills. You finally are off the liquids and mushy food, and now can eat solid food. It feels like you can not only eat what the doctor said, but perhaps a bit of his thigh with some salt and pepper sprinkled on it for flavor!

Some people, after they've completely healed, have little to no restriction. They can eat lots more than what is prescribed. And to think you are supposed to keep this up until you get your first fill?

As always, listen to your doc but if you are still finding yourself hungry after you have eaten the recommended solid Protein amounts, I'd say add a little bit of cooked veggies (I had to stay away from raw veggies like carrots or broccoli for a bit longer). Or add a small veggie filled salad (not just lettuce and dressing). This little bit of added fiber-rich food may actually help you obtain that full feeling.

I may have missed it, but how much longer until your first fill? I had to wait six weeks but I know of others who were able to get their first fill quicker, which may or may not make a difference. Every person reacts to their fills differently.

Good luck! I know it doesn't make it any easier, but believe me, every single one of us went through this Bandster Hell! You will get through it.