I'm 4 weeks out from my surgery (Dec. 27th). I noticed this weekend that I'm really starting to get an appetite. I was at a conference this weekend and wasn't allowed to bring in food. soooo looking for the most "mushie" food I could find, I found myself eating 3/4 of a tuna sandwich. I guess from reading everyone's posts here, I was surprised that I was able to eat the bread. I have lost only a few ounces this week . I was very spoiled by losing so much so fast.. now I seem to be slowing down. I also started doing some serious walking this last week. I don't know if I'm gaining muscle and it's out-weighing the fat loss, (or what)... ?? Does this mean I'm soon ready for a fill soon? I'm getting nervous that I'll hit a plateau. Other than my worrying about feeling hungry and not losing .... I'm feeling GREAT!!!

How are you all doing/did at 4 weeks out???

I'm 4 weeks out from my surgery (Dec. 27th). I noticed this weekend that I'm really starting to get an appetite. I was at a conference this weekend and wasn't allowed to bring in food. soooo looking for the most "mushie" food I could find, I found myself eating 3/4 of a tuna sandwich. I guess from reading everyone's posts here, I was surprised that I was able to eat the bread. I have lost only a few ounces this week . I was very spoiled by losing so much so fast.. now I seem to be slowing down. I also started doing some serious walking this last week. I don't know if I'm gaining muscle and it's out-weighing the fat loss, (or what)... ?? Does this mean I'm soon ready for a fill soon? I'm getting nervous that I'll hit a plateau. Other than my worrying about feeling hungry and not losing .... I'm feeling GREAT!!!

How are you all doing/did at 4 weeks out???

Sounds like you are ready for your first fill. I was at the same exact point as you. Lost a bunch, hit a plateau and had my fill last Friday. I'm back on track of losing weight again in a quick couple of days. You have to remember that they don't put a lot of liquid in the band during the surgery. The hunger and appetitie gain is due to the fact that the swelling has gone down and now it's time to tighten that baby back up!!! Good luck

Once you start getting fills..I had my first 1 six weeks out...you will feel better...I could eat bread with no problem until my 3rd fill than it started getting harder for me..I can still eat soft bread but I have to eat it in very small bites so I usually just stay clear. Your early on so hunger is expected...you might be a lucky one and get some restriction after your 1st fill. Hang in here and good luck!

I'm 4 weeks out from my surgery (Dec. 27th). I noticed this weekend that I'm really starting to get an appetite. I was at a conference this weekend and wasn't allowed to bring in food. soooo looking for the most "mushie" food I could find, I found myself eating 3/4 of a tuna sandwich. I guess from reading everyone's posts here, I was surprised that I was able to eat the bread. I have lost only a few ounces this week . I was very spoiled by losing so much so fast.. now I seem to be slowing down. I also started doing some serious walking this last week. I don't know if I'm gaining muscle and it's out-weighing the fat loss, (or what)... ?? Does this mean I'm soon ready for a fill soon? I'm getting nervous that I'll hit a plateau. Other than my worrying about feeling hungry and not losing .... I'm feeling GREAT!!!

How are you all doing/did at 4 weeks out???

I was starving at 4 wks, and was told this was normal. I lost 18 lbs. When I went for my first fiil they told me they took out 3 cc's of air and replaced it with saline. I then had another fill 2 wks later and am still hungry. Have had no reflux and can eat everything so far. But have also put on 6 lbs, am really discouraged. When I ask questions I never get the an exact answer. They say u have to eat just 1/2 a cup then the next time u can have 1000 calories. Can anyone pleased clarify this for me??? And is it normal to remain hingry??

I'm soooooooo glad someone else is experiencing this!!! I am 5 and half wks out from surgery and go 2maro for my first fill and am really looking forward 2 it because I find myself not being as easily full as when I was first banded!! Yes I still do the same portions but become hungry again faster! I am nervous and excited about the first fill! Good luck 2 u!!!

I can still eat bread if I wanted and I am nearing the "sweet spot". I just choose not to. Were you at a work function over the weekend? For future reference if you need to be on liquids or mushies after a fill your employer must make allowances for medical conditions. If your doctor writes a note that you either need to bring your own food or be supplied appropriate foods; your employer must comply.

I was starving at 4 wks, and was told this was normal. I lost 18 lbs. When I went for my first fiil they told me they took out 3 cc's of air and replaced it with saline. I then had another fill 2 wks later and am still hungry. Have had no reflux and can eat everything so far. But have also put on 6 lbs, am really discouraged. When I ask questions I never get the an exact answer. They say u have to eat just 1/2 a cup then the next time u can have 1000 calories. Can anyone pleased clarify this for me??? And is it normal to remain hingry??

I was back to normal appetite two weeks after my surgery, but you don't have any restriction around your stomach until you get a fill. Once the surgery swelling goes down, it's like you have your normal stomach, so you have your normal appetite. I had my first fill a week ago, and the nurse put 6.5 cc into a large band. I don't know how your nurse/doctor did it, but mine made me sit up and drink cup after cup of Water. She kept injecting saline by the half cc until it got hard got me to swallow the water (at 7cc), then she pulled a half cc out to ease up on the restriction. The next day, it was difficult for me to eat comfortably; even with lots of chewing, it felt like everything stuck in my throat. The day after that feeling went away, but I could definitely tell there is a restriction in how much I can eat. Also, I have a much decreased appetite.

Did your nurse make you drink something to check the restriction, or did they just put in 3 cc, and that was it? If they didn't check for restriction, then they're guessing on the amount, and you'll have to keep going back and having saline added until you reach the right point. My doctor said the average is 5-6 cc. When they hit the right amount of saline, you will DEFINITELY notice the decrease in your appetite, although you will still get hungry -- you just won't get hungry the way you did before the band. You will also feel full much quicker. If they put too much saline in, it will hurt to swallow food and you'll feel reflux, and you'll have the urge to eat soft food since it doesn't hurt. That's when you need to have saline removed.

My nurse said I could come back for another fill in as little as 3-4 days -- it should be effective that quickly. If you aren't getting the restriction and appetite decrease I mentioned, I would pressure your doctor not to make you wait 2 weeks between fills, but to speed it up so you can get to the right point faster. Just don't over-do it. Some people on this site have NO appetite and can only eat 3-4 bites of food at at time. That means the band is too tight, and eventually, your weight loss will plateau because you won't be getting enough calories and your metabolism will slow as your body goes into starvation mode. I can eat an entire small sandwich now, which is more than 1/2 cup (my doctor says 1 cup), but I CAN'T eat the large meal that I could with no problem before my band.

I'm 4 weeks out from my surgery (Dec. 27th). I noticed this weekend that I'm really starting to get an appetite. I was at a conference this weekend and wasn't allowed to bring in food. soooo looking for the most "mushie" food I could find, I found myself eating 3/4 of a tuna sandwich. I guess from reading everyone's posts here, I was surprised that I was able to eat the bread. I have lost only a few ounces this week . I was very spoiled by losing so much so fast.. now I seem to be slowing down. I also started doing some serious walking this last week. I don't know if I'm gaining muscle and it's out-weighing the fat loss, (or what)... ?? Does this mean I'm soon ready for a fill soon? I'm getting nervous that I'll hit a plateau. Other than my worrying about feeling hungry and not losing .... I'm feeling GREAT!!!

How are you all doing/did at 4 weeks out???

I was banded Dec 29. I noticed that over the last week I've started experiencing hunger, too. I don't have my first fill until Feb 11. I've only eaten toasted bread. My doctor said to wait until I was on stage 4 to eat any other bread. I lost 19 pounds and then went I was moved to stage 3 I gained 5 pounds. I've lost 3 pounds over the last week. I'm struggling to keep what I've lost off. I hope I can feel some restriction after my first fill.

Let's keep in touch.