I am 8 days post-op now, and I had my follow-up visit today. Everything looks good. I'm feeling great, back to normal, in fact. I'm still very hungry, and I'm having a tough time feeling full, but I'm hopeful that when I go in for my first fill (five weeks from now), I will start seeing a difference.

But here's the good news:

I've lost ten pounds already! Woo-hoo!

That's a great start! Use the next 5 weeks to heal properly because this is what this time is for.

Congradulations again and please keep us posted with your progress.

Mary

Hi!

I had my surgery 10 days ago. I have the same feeling of not being full as well. Is it normal? last week I had that small pain in my chest when I ate or drink too much, this week I am not feeling as much restriction and I am eating bigger portions. I lost 10 pounds as well and have not lost any weight since moving to a blanded/mushi foods this week. I can eat a lot of things now. I tried cheese, bolony, pita chips, ground turkey. Of course I am not eating near much I ate before but I am afraid that I need the band titened already even though it is my 2nd week. Please help me understand if it is normal not feeling restriction 2 weeks post up?

Thanks,

Zhanna

Zhanna, yes it is normal to not feel restriction once the swelling from surgery goes down.

Remember the mantra - the first 6 weeks are about HEALING, not losing. Any weight lost in the first 6 weeks is a bonus, not an expectation.

The true journey begins once you start getting fills.

It is true that some people are tight enough with an empty band to lose, but they are the exception, not the rule. Don't think about weight loss until you're ready for your first fill, usually about 6 weeks out at the earliest. Eat healthy as much as you can, practice your chewing, don't drink with meals, don't drink sooner than 30 minutes after a meal.

Practice, practice, practice. Then you'll be ready when you get restriction with your fills.

I am 3 days post op and so hungry I almost started crying because my stomach hurt so bad.

Then when we went to my mother in laws for thanksgiving I gave in and had mashed potatoes and some other stuff I know I should of not have eaten but it felt so nice so not feel the grumbling going on in my tummy.

I have NO restriciton and I am feeling very frusterated because I am so hungry and want to follow the post-op diet as best as I can BUT how can I when I am STARVING.

Caroline

Originally posted by lefthander_1975

I am 3 days post op and so hungry I almost started crying because my stomach hurt so bad.

Caroline, hang in there. I remember feeling the EXACT same way during that first week. I remember thinking that the band couldn't possibly be working becuase I was STARVING ALL THE TIME. And it didn't help that my stomach was always grumbling LOUDLY to serve as another reminder that I was hungry! But now that I'm into my second week, I'm finding that I'm getting used to it. While I still don't feel the restriction, I am finding that a little bit of food lasts me for quite a while before I start getting hungry again, and the grumbling tummy isn't sounding off nearly as much. Hang in there!

Originally posted by donali

Zhanna, yes it is normal to not feel restriction once the swelling from surgery goes down.

Thank you Donali,

I will follow your suggestions of practicing at this time.

It is nice to know that I am not alone who is experiencing this.

Thank you again,

Zhanna

I wasn't really hungry at all the first two weeks. But now, on week three I'm more hungry, and food goes down rather easily. I'm on the mushy food phase now.

I'm finding that if I eat Protein first I don't get as hungry. I'm thinking of making some egg salad today, or perhaps some turkey pate (turkey and a little mayo and spices blended), since I have so much of it.

I'm also steering clear of caloric liquids. I'm really into sugar free tang right now. I like iced tea also, and splenda goes very well into tea.

I won't get a fill til the end of January (which seems like for freakin' ever!) because my doc is so booked with fills. So I have to devise some kind of eating method to get me over the long haul til then.

I'm here with ya!!!

Linda

Dr. Bonanni

banded 11/14/03

260/243/150

Hello to all of you who posted to this thread, I was so glad to find this thread because I am feeling all the things that most of you lady's feel. The #1 thing is that Iam feeling hungry all the time and Im only 2 weeks post-op. I through something was worn with me, if I let myself I could eat a whole lot of food. But you lady's always come through for me when I am looking for answers.

This is a COMMON experience, ladies, and everyone goes through it. The good news about your hunger is that it means you're healing well! The loss of restriction means your swelling is going down.

And you can relax at this point about your calorie intake--as Donali says this time is for healing and not losing. But you do want to go slowly with textures. You may feel as though you could eat solid food or a significant amount, but PLEASE try to take it easy. Go hog wild with soup--the richest bisques and meat Soups will go a long way toward satisfying your hunger pangs. My favorite was lobster bisque. There was a time before moving to mushies that I was having a Campbell's Soup-at-Hand five times a day, plus a big Protein drink and loads of Water.

And believe that this will pass, and pass quickly. You'll soon be completely over the healing phase and on to getting filled and losing for real. :cool:

That is so interesting. I always worry about slippage. I have only been banded 4 months. but wonder about long term. I am encouraged that you decided to get rebanded. I am losing very slowly but that is okay. I just wonder what everbody is eating and it agreeing with them I am just about ready to start having oatmeal for dinner every night.What vitamins do you take? Thanks for sharing ... Leta