I had my surgery on 12/6. Absolutely no appetite since surgery, yet I eat (because this is what I do...). I feel full quite quickly, yet I eat more and get quite uncomfortable at times (because this is what I do...). Am scared because I find that each day I am able to eat just a little more. Am feeling very shakey here. Has anyone else out there been in this place? How did you support yourself? I could really use some help here, have been so focused up to this point, but feeling it slip away.

I was able to eat quite a bit during the regular food stage-before my first fill. Actually, I was able to eat anything I wanted with no adverse affects(like pbs or pain) and I ate about the same amounts as before the surgery-I was beginning to wonder if I even had a band at all.

Then I had my first fill - what a difference a fill makes. You can NOT overeat with an adequate fill. You get pain in your chest area, then begin to slime (sliming is when you get a lot of saliva-like when you're about to throw up) and then you may or may not pb (pb is when you kind of spit up the stuff that wont go down). It is a definite learning process and I am learning and relearning every day.

Good luck on your journey but do try to be careful not to eat to the point of uncomfort, but to the point of being satisfied. It's really hard, I know. Once you get your fill, it will be much easier.

Thank you Shanna for your reply and support. I am really going to make an effort to stop before discomfort. Really looking forward to my first fill.

I just had my first fill yesterday and it really does make a big difference. I was like you, in that I could eat anything and I was wondering what good the band was until I had my fill, now I know. Since my fill, I have only been able to eat a few bites at meal time and have already lost 3 lbs.

Good luck on your new band and when you have your first fill, I am sure that you will notice the difference.

I was banded 9 December. I have an "appetite" for sure but I'm finding its within the bounds of the rules. I'm enjoying planning for and shopping for what I'll eat and I'm really enjoying eating it, everything tastes wonderful but I dont know why. Once or twice I've thought about things I shouldnt eat, I had some Christmas pudding and brandy custard over Christmas and I did eat a few potato chips today becuase I just reaaaaaaaally craved the salt - and I really enjoyed them. I dont feel guilty at all. But basically in between meals I'm decidedly unhungry and dont even think about food.

I think for me the band is having a psychological effect as much as a physical one. I was at a morning tea this morning, and because most of that food is off limits well and truly (as I'm on mushies) I just dont even consider eating them and that makes it easier. No doubt it will be harder later but for now, I'm really enjoying what my band is doing for me. I was down on the scales again today after a week's plateau so that's doubly motivating.

I'm also taking the approach that 1/2 to 1 cup is all I'm "allowed" to eat so that's what I stick to. I could eat more but I'm not going to try it. I'm satisfied after 1 cup, even if something was so yummy I want a bit more, I just dont do it.

You'll never have to do this whole thing on willpower but I think all of us do have to use a little of it and just stop where we know we should.