I am scheduled to have my band on 11-22. I was told that I will not have my first fill until 4 weeks post-op. Do you feel any restriction with the band placement alone?

Not sure if you would call it restriction but I was not terribly hungry after the surgery. But I was able to eat the clear liquid diet for the first 7 days without trouble. It was just kind of boring. I was glad to move to full liquids on day 8. I was starting to feel more hungry at the start of mushies at day 15. I was very happy to move to solids at day 22. Since starting solids I have religously used a food scale (bought at WW meeting place (don't buy it online at Amazon someone sells it double the price! You can just walk in at the start of the meeting and buy one at their facility. I have never been a WW member.). You will need to measure your food. I have had two fills and skill weigh all my Protein. When the food is gone I stop eating, even though I am still hungry. That's what is called bandster hell. I don't know if it's really that bad. I was on a pretty strick diet 8 months leading up to the surgery so I had done a lot of behavior modification. And I am not talking about a liquid pre op diet.

My doctor required group therapy session with a psychologist to discuss food issues; and mindfull eating. Remember the surgery is only a medical device. It does not fix emotional problem/issues.

I had superb restriction (the best of my entire banded experience) for about 8 weeks after surgery, it was grat. The weight dropped off, I felt good - I have to describe it as having no appetite, but it wasnt really like that. food was not unappealing, I didnt feel sick, but I could just take it or leave it (so I left it all beyond basic needs). Weight literally fell off me during that period.

Over time, that waned, and I required fills to keep up the restriction but every fill gave me what I needed at the time to keep losing, there was no waiting for a sweet spot. Over time also though my normal appetite returned, meaning head hunger, a taste for sweet foods and the need for willpower despite restriction, to keep away from chocolate, Cookies and cakes. Five years on, I'd say that part of me returned completely but I've learned to control it, distance myself from it and not use those foods in times of boredom or stress - I say to myself "those foods make people fat, I dont need them" and by and large, i just dont eat them.

i am 6 wks post op and i lose 2 pds a week steady ! im not hungry and i dont want a fill yet. im not sure if its what "restriction"is but i weigh my protein and measure my veggies and carbs and i get full for about 3-4 hrs i have head hunger some times but for the most part im never starving or experience "bandster hell" for that im thankful so for me i say im managing without a fill for now

So a fill isn't necessary for weight loss?

I feel restriction and have not had a fill yet. My first fill is nov 19th. I ate 2 bowls of Soup last week and overfilled my pouch it hurt so bad I thought I had to go to er but it passed. good luck with your surgery.

debbie

I was very very hungry as soon I recovered from the surgery. My doc put me on appetite uppresant called Phentermine. It works beautifully.