It is about 10 days post op and I am now not feeling any restriction again after the swelling in my tummy has went down. I am able to guzzle water like there is no tomorrow. Will it continue to be this way until I get a fill?

Yes. Probably until you get 2 or 3 fills actually.

oh joy. lol sometimes wish I would of went ahead and got one of the other surgeries. I was to chicken I guess. But this is like having a tool that don't work for months after u get it... kind of discouraging. But well I guess that what I chose. Just wish I was better informed about exactly what would happen to me, how long the process took etc. My fault for not researching it deep enough... But. I know I have a tool that will assist me one day Thankful for that.

Just so you know, restriction doesn't necessarily mean you can't guzzle Water. I consider myself restricted = full on smaller amounts of food, but I can guzzle water like there is no tomorrow.

Look for "satiated after small amounts of food and not hungry for 4 hours" instead of "physically can't eat/drink without throwing up" to define restriction for yourself.

thanks for that outlook, I just didn't know if drinking had restriction after fills like it did right after surgery. I couldn't drink much at all. And actually did have a problem getting in my required intake for the day. Really glad that is gone.. And I am happy to hear that it is possible to drink without having to much of an issue...

Melissa, one of the biggest things to develop after banding is patience. Saying you wish you'd gotten one of the other surgeries because you don't have restriction two weeks after your band placement is a wrong way to look at it. You need to figure out that like all good tools, you need to learn how best to manage it. It takes a bit of fine-tuning to get your band to work at its best, and a lot of that fine-tuning is in how you manage it. The way you eat, and what you do with your time every day will determine how well you lose weight with a band, but the first six weeks or so after surgery are supposed to be about healing, not about weight loss. That comes later. I'm living proof that if you manage the tool properly, you can and will lose weight with your band - probably more weight than you ever considered you'd be able to lose once and for all.

Having a different surgery brings its own set of issues, none of which are pleasant. You're far better off having had band surgery, where you can control how your life goes, not so you'd be at the mercy of how the body parts that remain function. hair loss, dumping, constant diarrhea, and such, are not a pleasant way to live your life for the long term. Not saying those surgeries aren't appropriate for those who need it, but if you're a good band candidate, you're probably better off on this side of the fence.

As has been said here many times, you didn't gain your weight overnight, so it's not reasonable to expect to lose it overnight. Give yourself time, experience, and perspective, and you'll see that banding was an excellent choice.

Wishing you great success with your weight loss over the coming months!

Dave

The reason why your doctor did not give you any restriction is because the first six weeks

is mainly for healing. Your body is still getting used to the band and it will take at least two weeks

to fully feel back to normal.

yes very true. I have been known not to have much patience.. lol I feel like since I waited so long, been through so many struggles to get the surgery, I just want a break! lol... But I have made it thus far and will continue to do what I am suppose to and what I chose to do so I can be healthy.

And I agree If I or my dr thought any of the other surgeries were right for me, I would of had the other. I'm only 10 days out and I should be resting still. This to shall pass Thanks for the wise words..

thanks for that outlook, I just didn't know if drinking had restriction after fills like it did right after surgery. I couldn't drink much at all. And actually did have a problem getting in my required intake for the day. Really glad that is gone.. And I am happy to hear that it is possible to drink without having to much of an issue...

I take it slow for 48-hours after a fill, because I'm usually swollen, but once that goes down I can drink Water just like normal. That doesn't mean my fill didn't work-- my fills have been great (I lost all of my weight but for the last 5 lbs on 2 fills), but what they give me is a feeling of "that's enough" after a smallish meal of solid Protein and veggies. There is no physical restriction at all. My band doesn't prevent me from eating anything-- it just gets me satiated on smaller amounts of whatever I do eat.

I am 15 days post op and was expecting to start losing massive amounts of weight right away so I can relate to how you are feeling, however i am feeling better and after researching all the other surgery options I feel the lapband is the best option for me. Just give your body a chance to heal properly and follow your doctors instructions and do what you are supposed to and it will work, We did not gain all this weight overnight so just give it some time,

I have read quite a bit on this forum and have also watched several YouTube video on people who kept a video diary of their experience with the band. Amost in all cases people begin to feel discouraged and worry why they are not losing weight.

This is a normal process and you really need to keep your eye on the prize and not be discouraged by this period of "Bandster Hell." With each doctor visit and each week that passes you are getting closer to having the band being an active and helpful part of losing weight. It is frustrating I know!!

But one day the weight will start to come off and you'll be so glad they you stuck it out!

Melissa thank you so much for your post. I was secretly feeling scared, discouraged, because I to am 10 days post op. Surgery was June 6th and I did have some restriction right after surgery but it was causing me severe pain when I tried to sleep. Tightness and back pain. I initially thought it was gas. But after my follow-up post op appointment my dr took the pre fluid out 3cc's I immediately felt relief. But with that removal I feel like I have no restriction. I go for my first fill July 6th. I hope it starts to work. And I'm also afraid that tightness will return. I lost 23 lbs during the pre opt liquid diet n I don't want to regain. I've been trying to be careful but... I'm just hoping this works.

i feel your pain ladies. but i did want to give a heads up so you wont want to jump off a ledge like i did. once you start eating pureed/soft and regular foods the scale may go up. this is perfectly normal DONT PANIC! i am going for my first fill tomorrow (surgery date may 20th) and i orginally lost 15 pounds, then i started mushies etc. i have gained about 2 pounds and i'm ok with that. my band is totally empty, so that means in this last month it has been pure will power since i have no restriction. i am not the patient one either when it comes to losing weight, so i totally understand. we just have to be patient and wait and it will happen. best wishes ladies!

Thanks Jennifer. Let us know how your first fill goes.