I was banded 22 days ago and with presurgery diet I had lost 21 lbs but the last week I have put back on 4 lbs. I can eat ANYTHING!! Then I forgot about the no fluids after eating and I think that is also causing problems. I go in for my first fill on the 3rd of August. I went back to work this week and the stress eating is really trying to take over. Any suggestions from anyone? Is this kind of normal? I am getting pretty discouraged. Thanks for listening.

This is the bandster hell part! This is where you will need to go off will power until you get your fills working for you!!! I had pretty good restriction from my surgery until after my first fill, but then on my second fill she only put in .20 and I could eat pretty much anything for the next two weeks. I went in for another fill and I am pretty good right now (if not a little bit tight).

But you have to stick with it no matter how hard it gets. It will get better as you get your fills. Good Luck!

I totally understand I went through the same thing eating a cheeseburger I felt sooo gulty . I then join weigfht watchers online until I get my fill which is scheduled for Aug 4, so dont fill bad it natural.

Follow the recommendations given to you by your surgeon/dietician. Right now it may be all about willpower. You have to remember, just because you can eat anything you want right now doesn't mean you should :-) Good luck!

If I had to give any advice, it would be this...I was banded 1 month ago. I haven't had a fill either, and this is VERY difficult. But, every Sunday I write out what my meals are going to be like for the week. I do a daily chart with times and everything. That way I have a schedule. If its not on the schedule, its not going in my mouth! (except for last night). So yes, I do occasionally slip because I feel so hungry. But, most of the time its head hunger. Like last night. My daughter brought home a bunch of candy from school. Of course it all had to be my favorite!! I slipped pretty bad with it, but I'm right back on schedule today. Try to look at every day as a new day. If you slip up and totally go crazy, the next day try to keep it in check. I know its hard, it is terrible for me too. Don't get down on yourself, thats the worst thing you could do. Drink and drink water until you can't stand it. Its the best thing for you and it will make you full at least for awhile. Hang in there!

Try this site for 1 week and see what happens. It is really awesome and tells you exactly what you need to have calorie-wise in order to lose weight by next month. Commit to doing it for 1 week:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

This is a very normal stage-I know it sucks, but it is something we need to get through. The fills are really what you need and you will need to "diet on your own" without the help of the band until the fills start kicking in. My first fill didn't do much, but for the first 3 days I knew what restriction was and it was awesome! After that-forget it-I guess the swelling went down and I was hungry!! The 2nd fill is much better! This takes patience-you can do it! Try tracking your weight at least until the fills kick in.

Good luck on your journey!