Hi everyone,

I have not been one of the *successful* lap-banders. Got down about 45 pounds, been packing 20 pounds back on, never really got the hang of this lap band. On Thursday, I got so stuck (on 1/2 a bagel - I know, bad girl) that I could not stop throwing up. So, I contacted my doctor's office and they had me come in immediately for a complete unfill. While the RN was unfilling me, she said "you're hunger is going to come back, BIG TIME" and all I could think was "huh?". I haven't seen a decrease in my hunger from pre - to - post op, didn't even know I should. I expected to be satisfied with less food after my surgery, but that hasn't happened at all. I just go from starving to a feeling of food at the bottom of my esophagus - I don't ever feel satisfied. I do know that part of my problem is eating too fast, but I work in a lab, and can't be munching on food through out the day. I can't take my time eating at work, and because of getting stuck I haven't wanted to get more of a fill than I had, we removed 4 cc's of liquid on Thursday. Is it possible that the reason I don't really notice a difference in hunger levels pre vs. post op is because I actually didn't have ENOUGH liquid in my band??

I just don't feel like I using this tool properly and am beginning to really hate my band

Any advice??

I have been banded for a year and have always been hungry I cant say I was as drastic as eating a bagel but go to bed hungry just the same. I had my first fill after a year of 2cc's he put in 4 but that was too much. Im not quite as hungry anymore. I dont know how some can not be hungry because I always was. I lost 70lbs really fast but then was stuck for five months because I moved and had trouble finding a surgeon who would take me. The only thing I can say is that the band is a tool to let you know how to eat and thats about it. The rest is pretty much trial and error. I deal with constant gas since banding but its not painful just annoying more than anything. I dont regret getting it done and hating what we wanted is probably not something I would say. Im uncomfortable with it at times but I dont regret it because it gave me my life back. You just have to know your limits and what you really cant eat. I still after a year cannot do bread or cereal and have been miserable since my fill with gas but I wont change a thing. I asked my husband was it right for me to get a fill and he reassures me that it is. He also is so supportive when Im not having a good day. Maybe whats wrong is your support system and not the band its self. I think anyone with a band gets aggravated at times but having someone reassuring that it was worth not dying is my biggest help and gets me through the worst days. Chin up and hope you feel better soon.