eating too much

Becky · January 10, 2004

Hi All, I am on pureed foods and I feel like I may be eating too much.. Can that happen.. I don't even feel like i have a band.. I must be healed up pretty well or all those liquids have just gone through fine.. and now the pureed.. I read where a meal should consist of less than 5 oz. a sitting.. well I think I'm doing that.. I guess maybe i'm just getting scared of eating.. I don't want to go through this and then fail!!! ugh!! I feel I have more confidence in myself than that.. I don't get my first fill until Feb. 9th and I am to start on a regular diet on Jan. 25th.. those were my rules from surgery.. I believe everyone has similiar ones..

I just wonder if anyone else out there worries about overeating again.. I really don't think i am, but sometimes i have a hard time telling whether i'm full or not.. Good grief, enough of my babbling.. thank you in advance..

Alexandra · January 10, 2004

Hi Becky,

The answer to your question is NO, YOU ARE NOT EATING TOO MUCH!!! People are always surprised when, post-surgery, they don't feel the restriction they expected. But before a fill there is often no restriction whatsoever!

Your goal at this point is to eat until you are satisfied, while sticking to your doctor's instructions. If 5 oz of food didn't satisfy you before surgery, there is no reason whatsoever to expect that it will do so now. Don't worry!!!

You will find as you progress to solid food--and particularly, after you get a fill--that it takes less than it used to for you to feel like you've had enough. And in fact, it may take your head a lot longer than your stomach to recognize "enough." But these are lessons for down the road; right now your body is still healing and as long as you stick to soft foods there is no reason not to eat as much as you like.

We've seen this exact same post from so many new bandsters I think we can all recognize now that it's a universal experience.

Sultana · January 21, 2004

Hi Alexandra and all,

I am now 3 weeks post-op and also worried that I am eating too much. When I went for my 2 week post-op check, Dr. Kurian told me to start introducing solid foods a little at a time. I have been eating some (LOTS of chewing) and everything seems okay. I have to agree with what Alexandra said that I feel very little restriction. I am still drinking a little with meals most of the time so as not to stress the band (this is according to what Dr. Kurian's nutritionist said). I am soon going to try to stop drinking--one more week. My doctor said that at my next appointment in a month, that I can get a fill if I need one, but that I might not need one. Here's my question (s). How will I know??? Is it too early to try a fill? Will a fill make a big difference? Did anyone else feel like they were kinda in the dark about how to use this band? When I saw my doctor it was very rushed and her instructions were very general. Any advice? Thanks! Hey Alexandra, you are still losing weight even if it is slowly, right? How many fills have you had? I think I told you this before, but you (and your little one) look great in your picture!

Holly · January 21, 2004

I too felt the same way! I am 1 month post op and sometimes still feel like I am eating too much. Just listen to your body and STOP when you think your getting full.

good luck

Holly

Alexandra · January 21, 2004

Hi Sultana,

By the time of your next appointment you'll be 7 weeks out, and that is not too early to have a fill. Inamed's recommendations are 6 weeks minimum, so you're fine.

You'll know if you want a fill by whether you are feeling any effect of having a band and losing weight. Does it take less food to fill you up? Can you stop easily after a small portion and feel that you've had enough? If the answers to these questions are no--which is probable--then there's no reason not to have a fill.

I've only had one fill and I think its effects are wearing off. It took a couple of weeks when I had it done back in October for the restriction to really kick in, and its been on and off since then. When its off I have a lot of trouble stopping eating when I should, so I think it's time for another adjustment.

I think we are all a little bit in the dark about how to use the band until we're actually learning it for ourselves. All the instructions in the world can't prepare you for the way your body will react to having restriction. The stories sound similar, sure, but everyone has to learn for themselves exactly what it feels like to them. So don't be concerned--you're perfectly normal!