Hey guys. Well I had my band put on the 15th of February and my first fill is this Thursday, the 10th of March... So the first week or ten days post op I felt the restriction and I was doing fairly well on my diet but then out of the blue it's like my body became ridiculously hungry and I'm not going to lie, I cheated once or twice with no repercussions. I didn't feel the same restrictive sensation that I had originally felt. And now I have been eating regular food with no problems and I am worse than ever before. It's not that I lack will power or dedication, it's just that I'm an emotional eater and I sought the lap band procedure for help in restricting my intake and helping to me not feel so hungry all the time. Is something wrong? Has anyone experienced anything like this? Please help me. I would appreciate any advice that anyone has to offer.

I actually had my surgery on Feb. 23rd and I had alot of what I thought was restriction until about a day ago however, i was told today that it was probably just because of swelling from surgery. My swelling is going down and allowing me to eat more is what other banders told me. I'm sure after our first fill we will be right on track. I'm just sticking to the diet and waiting for the 24th to get here and hopefully having my first fill!

What you are feeling is normal. It takes most people several fills to feel any restriction and, unfortunately, that means that you will have to do the work yourself until that time. You will see many people refer to this time without restriction as "bandaged hell".

I am also an emotional eater and I can tell you that as far as my experience goes my band doesn't help me with emotional eating. The restriction I have makes me satisfied on less food but if I wanted to I could eat pretty much whatever I want. I keep things in check by tracking everything I eat and trying to find something to distract myself with if I start wanting to eat something I shouldn't. It isn't easy but the results are worth it!

Your swelling has died down therefore your 'restriction' from surgery is gone as well. You won't feel restriction until after a few fills many times. Hang in there; good luck.

I had my surgery on February 18th and I am going through the same thing. I can pretty much eat what I want and I have been. I told my doctor and he said try to stick with the plan of drinking the required amount of protien and try not to over eat. He says that after my fill on the 12th, I will be back on track. I hope so. I feel like I am gaining the 12 pounds I lost prior to the surgery. Let me know how you are doing after your first fill. I hope I don't have to get three or four fills before I feel restricted that will really be a bummer. Anyway good luck. Let me know what happens and I will keep you informed as well. Thanks.

Oops! I meant "bandster hell". Darned auto complete on my IPhone!!

What you are feeling is normal. It takes most people several fills to feel any restriction and, unfortunately, that means that you will have to do the work yourself until that time. You will see many people refer to this time without restriction as "bandaged hell".

I am also an emotional eater and I can tell you that as far as my experience goes my band doesn't help me with emotional eating. The restriction I have makes me satisfied on less food but if I wanted to I could eat pretty much whatever I want. I keep things in check by tracking everything I eat and trying to find something to distract myself with if I start wanting to eat something I shouldn't. It isn't easy but the results are worth it!

Thank you all for your kind words, support and advice. I think these forums are so helpful.

I"M WITH YOU!!!!! i was banded Feb. 7th and i feel exactly the same way. the only restriction i feel is when i eat meat. other than that, i am almost as hungry as i was before surgery.

I am sure when we get fills, things will be different. i get filled the 23rd of march. I CANT WAIT. hang in there. i find that when i do the right things, like - eat small bites and chew chew chew, i eat less then half of what i used to eat.

To give the brutal truth I did not see any restriction until 9.6 CC's, more at 10, and may be at my sweet spot at 10.6. This is going to be a willpower diet possibly for a while. Not trying to be a downer just giving my experience. Did you doctor have you attend eating therapy sessions? I found them very helpful. Did they talk to you about head vs physical hunger? Emotional hunger is head hunger. Where you're bored, lonely, tired. Now and before restriction when I wanted to eat something I would ask my self are you really hungry or just looking for something to do?