I need to know how normal this is. I was banded 2/18, and I've been doing great! I've had a few pity party days early on, but I'm losing weight and happy with the feeling and results so far. My problem is, I just started my menstrual cycle (first one since being banded) and now I remember why I failed on EVERY diet in the past. I'd be fine for weeks, then BAM! As soon as Aunt Flow comes, I seem to have a perpetually empty stomach. What would make me super full on normal days, just never seems to get me to a point where I'm satisfied for about 3 days straight. I've done my best so far, this time, but I measured the food to ensure i didn't overeat, yet went to bed hungry, woke up hungry, was hungry after breakfast etc. AND I haven't even wanted carbs for the last month, yet right now that's ALL I want to eat, carbs and CHOCOLATE. Hahaha! I feel like the cookie monster when he eats every cookie on the plate, and then eats the plate too! I haven't given into it yet, but going through this every single month is aggravating. Do any of you experience crazy hunger during that time of the month? And if so, what tricks do you have to get you through those few days before things start calming down again.

Well I don't have my uterus anymore but I do have my ovaries still. I know when AF should arrive because I'm a bottomless pit. I go from getting stuck on 6 bites if meat to being able to eat roast and bread with no pain, sliming or stuck episodes. It's like night and day.

I hate it and I'm still trying to figure out how to handle it.

I have the opposite problem. I don't have any fill (besides what was in there during surgery) and I got my TOM yesterday and I feel tight, not getting stuck or anything, but I feel I can't eat as much.

I need to know how normal this is. I was banded 2/18, and I've been doing great! I've had a few pity party days early on, but I'm losing weight and happy with the feeling and results so far. My problem is, I just started my menstrual cycle (first one since being banded) and now I remember why I failed on EVERY diet in the past. I'd be fine for weeks, then BAM! As soon as Aunt Flow comes, I seem to have a perpetually empty stomach. What would make me super full on normal days, just never seems to get me to a point where I'm satisfied for about 3 days straight. I've done my best so far, this time, but I measured the food to ensure i didn't overeat, yet went to bed hungry, woke up hungry, was hungry after breakfast etc. AND I haven't even wanted carbs for the last month, yet right now that's ALL I want to eat, carbs and chocolate. Hahaha! I feel like the cookie monster when he eats every cookie on the plate, and then eats the plate too! I haven't given into it yet, but going through this every single month is aggravating. Do any of you experience crazy hunger during that time of the month? And if so, what tricks do you have to get you through those few days before things start calming down again.

I knew before that I always had a chocolate craving while on my period, but somehow, I forgot this fact today when I found myself snacking much more than I usually do. I usually restrict myself to only eating a treat twice a week, but today I've had a (small) slice of chocolate cake instead of breakfast and another slice as an evening snack. And, throughout the day, I kept thinking about this chocolate bar that I've been saving for later in the week. I didn't know why I was craving chocolate so badly, until I read this and remembered that this happens to me too (I'm also on my period right now).

Anyway, I don't really have any tricks (but maybe I should seeing as I ate two slices of cake today!). I don't have a problem controlling my junk-food intake when I'm not on my period, so I'm not too worried about giving in to my cravings for a day or two a month. The way that I stopped myself from eating the chocolate bar in the house was to distract myself by reading, watching TV, or eating a fruit (to satisfy my craving for something sweet).

Still, there's no reason for these days to be a set-back to your diet, unless you view it as one. I always view my "cheats" as a conscious choice to indulge and that way it doesn't feel like it's a failure and that I've ruined my diet for the rest of the day. I don't let my cheats to become an excuse to keep binging until I "restart my diet tomorrow/on Monday." In my view, my diet never ended, so I don't need to wait to restart it. I just had a little treat and it has no bearing on the rest of my meals for the day.

I hear ya girlfriend. I am UNCONTROABLE when I get my period. For just a couple of days but my eating is off the hook. Like someone said above, it's only for a couple of days. Both my surgeon and GYN had no help or advice except "tough it out". So I do

I just go with it....a few extra calories is not gonna set me back as long as I keep it in moderation.

I know that if I deprive myself then I'm more then likely gonna binge...

I have noticed that when Aunt Flow comes to town I get super duper tight and cant eat so in a way its a good thing....

Ditto to what everyone else. We are not on a diet--indulging in the few extra calories does not make me feel like I had a setback. I am the opposite--right before my period, I eat like crazy and want crave things like chocolate or other sweets I normally do not. During I become tighter and cannot eat. Most of my stuck episodes happened during my period where I don't realize how tight I am.

Don't stress--I work out a little extra to compensate or I do a sugar-free cookie or piece of chocolate to help sometimes, but other times, I feel no guilt if I indulge in the real deal.

Thank you! I thought I was the only one! I was actually just talking about this with my sister last night. I feel like I want to eat EVERYTHING and my cravings are outrageous. What's weird is that before I was never like that. I have heard that other women usually are tighter during their TOM but not me...I feel like there is nothing in my band and I need/have to eat eat eat. What is crazier is that I had a fill this past Monday so one would think I would be tigher. Crossing my fingers that this feeling goes away soon. I have been weighing myself everyday just to make sure that my overindulgence haven't affected me tooooo much, thankfully they haven't. But I am definitely ready for this feeling to GO AWAY!

OH WHAT WE WOMEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH!

two days before aunt flo comes I'm totally tight! I couldn't figure out why friday and saturday I couldn't swallow anything without it coming back up. Then sunday came and same thing. Aunt Flo came so now I know that 2 days before and 1 day after she's in town I need to watch what im eating and chew chew chew! My poor little sister was getting worried. She kept telling me that my teeth were going to rot! ughhh now I know for next month to eat mushies and drink liquids. I am 3 months post op and at a pretty good restriction since my last fill.

i agree... if you only feel that way 3 days out of the month, just go with it. i'm a FIRM believer of indulging yourself on occasion... that way you tend to not binge other times.

and enjoy it while you can because there are a lot of us that get SUPER tight when its that time of the month. i don't eat for 3 days because i'm so tight. i have to stick to liquids!

there are some people who say to stick with the willpower and not to give in to it but i think that will only lead to binging on something down the line.

an occasional candy bar or piece of cake isn't going to hurt you in the long run. it may slow down your weight loss though.

I often give in to my cravings around that time. Right before my period, when I am crankiest, is when I'm the most hungry and the most able to eat a lot. But I know that as soon as my period starts, my band tightens up big time, and I can sometimes only tolerate liquids. The calories seem to balance out, as it doesn't result in a permanent weight gain or loss.