I was banded 3 weeks ago; the first week was the liquid diet and then it was onto mushy food and then solid foods. (I followed what the doctor told me to do.) I lost 13 lbs on the liquid diet part but now I’m gaining it all back!! I’m only in 3 weeks and I’m gaining weight back!! Has this happened to anyone!?? Is this just me!!?

I don’t have any liquid in my band; and my doctor won’t put any liquid in my band for over another week (he waits one month to put liquid in bands). But I’m hungry all the time and I NEVER get full off of the prescribed calorie intake/portion size! I try so hard to stick to the allotted calories but I’M SO HUNGRY! (No wonder I’m gaining the weight back!) Has this happened to anyone else? I feel like I have already fell off the wagon and I barely got on! I feel like I’m a failure … if this has happened to anyone have they gotten themselves out of this slump!?

I was banded just a week ago..while I am no expert and I am sure you will get many good replies, what I have read (in the info provided by my doctor) is not to worry so much about the weight loss in this phase until you are filled. Because you are adjusting and the food you are eating is slider food...mushy...and so it is not gonna stick. You also may have gained some weight due to the fluids given when banded. Don't be alarmed yet and you have not fallen off the wagon. Wait till you are full (fluid added to band) and then you will feel fuller by the limited food intake. Then you will see the weight loss. Hang in there!! I can't wait to be 3 weeks out. You are on your way to success!

It's normal when you start eating to gain a little don't worry. As long as it's not a ton of weight! The liquid diet wasn't intended necessarily to make you lose weight, it's Water weight, and your body is healing. Just make sure you are watching your diet. Fill up on things that are low in calories if you can, eat protein! and drink all your water.

What are you eating?

Some people refer to this time as Bandster Hell; because you are eating very small portions but only because of will power. Not to be a downer but your fill may or may not do you any good. I did not have any restriction until my 7 th fill at 9.4; and may have restriction now at 10 CC. Again, I'm not being negative just want to give you my experience.

In regards to portions I recommend buying a digital food scale. Esp. one that lets you put on a plate then zero it out. Measure out your Protein as directed by your doctor (mine calls for 3 oz). If you need a snack between meals try to make it low cal/fat protein based cheese stick, fat free greek yoghurt. I do have fruit as a snack as well such as grapes or cherries where you can eat 3 or 4 instead of eating a whole apple. Also clemintines are good because they are small. These of course would only be appropriate once you move to solids.

Have you been cleared to exercise? If so find something you think you can enjoy. Once you do something 28 days it becomes a habit. I highly recommend lap swimming (I use a Water proof MP3 player).

I wouldn't worry right now. They call it Bandster Hell for a reason. Different people get THE fill--the one that does the trick--at different points, but once you do, you won't have to work nearly this hard. Just try and hang in there because it will be a pain to undo any damage. Maintain if you can and yes, try and get some exercise if you're up to it. This is the hard part. It's not you!

I was banded 2 and a half weeks ago and i am going through the same thing - I havent been filled yet and I am staying under 1000 calories a day and eating 60+ grams of protein and I am doing it by pure will power - i am getting increasingly more hungry every day. I see my doctor on Friday (not suppose to get a "fill" yet, but I am hoping he may take pity on my and give me a fill now). You are not alone - hopefully banster hell will end soon.

Weight gain is plenty normal when you move to solid foods. My suggestion is to really stay off the scale. Focus on what you're eating (hopefully it's healthy things) and in time the scale will move back down. You're not a failure in the least so head up. Your journey just began!

I was banded 3 weeks ago; the first week was the liquid diet and then it was onto mushy food and then solid foods. (I followed what the doctor told me to do.) I lost 13 lbs on the liquid diet part but now I'm gaining it all back!! I'm only in 3 weeks and I'm gaining weight back!! Has this happened to anyone!?? Is this just me!!?

I don't have any liquid in my band; and my doctor won't put any liquid in my band for over another week (he waits one month to put liquid in bands). But I'm hungry all the time and I NEVER get full off of the prescribed calorie intake/portion size! I try so hard to stick to the allotted calories but I'M SO HUNGRY! (No wonder I'm gaining the weight back!) Has this happened to anyone else? I feel like I have already fell off the wagon and I barely got on! I feel like I'm a failure … if this has happened to anyone have they gotten themselves out of this slump!?

I went through this. The first week and half I lost 19 pounds, I thought I was a rock star. Then I gained 5 pounds back when I moved to the next stage of food. So yes, it's completely normal. I just lost 3 of those pounds this week (I started exercising and journaling my food). I still have 9 more days before my first fill. I don't feel full either. When I first had the surgery, I had major shoulder pain when I overate. I don't have that anymore. So now I have to measure out my food and stop eating when it's gone.

It does get better, but your work is never done. I would just focus on maintaining right now (It's harder than it sounds). Good luck!