I had my sugery November 16th, I feel like it never happened. My doctor has'nt filled my band as of yet. But, I wish it was, it feels as if I can eat or drink anything. I am trying hard to be disaplined and stay on the mushy diet. I have only lost 4lbs since surgery. Is this normal. Will the reality hit when they fill my band. Please tell me I am not alone on this?

I feel exactly the same way, I almost feel guilty, for eating, I imagine stretching my band or popping stiches. I have been eating 'regular' food for a week, and my first postop appt is tomorrow. I am going to come clean to my doctor and confess, and ask for a fill as soon as possible!

For the first few days after surgery, I felt a restriction, but I guess that was just my swollen stomach. Now almost a week out, I'm downing water like nothing, finishing soups fast, and taking horse pills with reckless abandon ! It's normal, you have no liquid in your band. Some folks feel restriction right away, some need fills. That's why they make the bands adjustable.

I'm starting to feel less restriction. I'm a week out now I'm drinking like I usually do but I'm still getting full really fast, well the jell-o cups I eat fill me up for about an hour. I'm not taking any pills, too afraid to get anything stuck, but I'm definitely hungry and able to eat my pureed foods with ease.

Same Pam, I'm not really hungry, if I pay attention to my body, I don't really feel restriction, but I'm not eating tons, my 1/2 of pureed food is fine, I don;t feel deprived.. I'm just restricting myself, but I hate knowing that I could eat more and probably not get sick.

Scrupples,

How much are you eating? What's your daily calorie intake?

Thanks for posting what I've been thinking! I am one month out and don't feel much restriction. I surely did right after surgery. I have lost like 6lbs, but after talking to the nurse she confirmed that some lose a little, gain or stay the same during this time. My first fill is January 3rd, and I'm nervously awaiting that day. Even though I don't feel restriction, I don't let myself over do anything.

Thanks again, mind reader! ...LOL

I can sooo relate to this post. i actually said the same thing. ("Is it even in there? I feel NO different!!") I had surgery on October 21 of last year and didn't get my first fill until January 12 of the following year due to hospital and doc vacation schedules/holidays, so I lived in Bandster Hell for a LONG time. I just tried to keep my portions smaller, make better choices and at night, when I seemed to be the hungriest, i would work out and force myself to go to bed to avoid the temptation. This is the worst time of year not to have restriction either, so my heart goes out to you. Just know that right now is a time for your body to heal, so don't focus on any weight loss or gain (yeah right! SHE says LOL--easier said than done, I know). Just know that you have the tool, it's just not working as it should be just yet, but it will. It definitely will, so try to hang in there!!! Stock up on fruits, yogurt, veggies and lots of lowfat cheese sticks--it will be ok!!!

I feel the same way. I was banded on Nov 29 and now I feel like I am hungry every 2 hours. I am allowed 4oz of food at a time and 2-3ozs needs to be a Protein. When I finish eating I am fine but it doesn't seem to last very long. I really wish I could get out of this feeling. Luckily I go in for my fill next Wed but I have to make it through this holiday weekend. At least my food choices every 2 hours or so is healthy so I don't feel too extremely guilty but it does get discouraging sometimes. Trying to quit my love affair of food is easier said than done.

Melissa

The 'restriction' that some report right after surgery is mostly due to the surgery itself and not so much the band since most surgeons don't fill the band with any saline at all during the surgery itself. The first fill (adjustment of the band) will typically take place approximately six weeks after surgery once you are fully healed. At about week #5 post-op I felt like I could have eaten just about anything at any time. I was so hungry it was crazy. I got my first fill and didn't really have restriction, but it did help to curb my appetite somewhat and made it easier to follow my doc's diet plan (high Protein, very low carb and no slider foods). I've now had four adjustments and with each one get greater restriction. For me, the band without any fills is very much like my pre-op state of no band at all.

A side note, my own surgeon required a six week all liquid diet post-op. From reading here it is a very strict diet compared to others. All surgeons though have a post-op diet plan and my opinion is that is to increase the likelihood that their patients will be successful during that period in which the band has little bearing on appetite.

Stay patient and good luck to one and all.

Katy,

I'm seeing more and more people on this board who are having fluid put in their bands at the time of surgery. If someone is having problems swallowing or eating mushies, I always ask if they had fluid in at the time of surgery. Most patients weren't told there was fluid already injected.

I am so happy to see this post, now I know I am not crazy because I have gone thru everything you guys have described. I was banded Nov 5 at 193 lbs, been starving since day 5 post op, got my first fill Dec 8 and I have only lost 10 lbs since surgery, Feel like I have very little to no restriction at times. I am trying hard to stick to the diet, but its sooo hard when your little stomach pouch might be somewhat full, but the big one below it is growling with hunger.