4 Weeks out and NO restriction = worry!!

[NY Bandster 1]

Hi all,

I have read a lot about how much better the weight loss is once you get a fill but I think I need some reassurance. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since I was banded and I have absolutely NO restriction. I am on mushies and am STARVING! I have been following the Dietician's instructions and have only been eating 1/2 cup at each meal. Today I broke away from that just to see how much my little belly could hold. I ate probably about 2 cups and I didn't feel full. I stopped eating because I felt bad that I was "cheating". Have any of you gone from absolutely no restriction to the "green zone"? How long did it take? I think part of me is worrying that something is wrong with the band. I don't feel anything! All this hard work to get here and now I feel like I can eat a cow! HELP!!!

Thanks all!!

[Twinkles 7]

I'm assuming, being 4 weeks out, you haven't had your first fill yet. If that is the case, then you have no reason to worry. There is no Fluid in your band, so restriction would be minimal, if any at all.

You do know that you will need fills, right, in order to reach that "green zone"? For me, it was about 4 fills, I've got around 5.25cc's in my 10cc band.

Your body is still healing, don't burden it by eating more than you should. If you need more, try Protein shakes or drinks. Bandster hell, is that period between surgery and your first fill, where you are starving. My Dr does things a little bit differently and I had a fill DURING surgery and didn't need a second until 12 weeks post op.

Relax and let yourself heal.

[sweetcalichic 6]

Your in bandster hell! It will change when you get a fill or two.

[NY Bandster 1]

Thanks for responding! Yes, I understand the fills. My doctor won't see me until I'm 6 weeks post surgery. It's so discouraging to feel this way and know that you have to wait another 2 weeks just to get started and then I don't know how long to get it right. I'm not losing any weight for the past 2 weeks even though I am following the plan and staying under 1000 calories. I just hope that it doesn't take long to get into the zone! I don't think I can take another couple of months of hunger!! How often were you able to get the fills to get you to the 5.25cc's? Thanks again.

I'm assuming, being 4 weeks out, you haven't had your first fill yet. If that is the case, then you have no reason to worry. There is no Fluid in your band, so restriction would be minimal, if any at all.

You do know that you will need fills, right, in order to reach that "green zone"? For me, it was about 4 fills, I've got around 5.25cc's in my 10cc band.

Your body is still healing, don't burden it by eating more than you should. If you need more, try Protein shakes or drinks. Bandster hell, is that period between surgery and your first fill, where you are starving. My Dr does things a little bit differently and I had a fill DURING surgery and didn't need a second until 12 weeks post op.

Relax and let yourself heal.

[Twinkles 7]

At surgery, I had 2cc's. At 12 weeks, I had 1.5cc's. At about 24 weeks, I had 1cc. Then around 40 weeks, I had another 1cc put in, then about 8 weeks after that, had .25 removed. That was back in May and I haven't needed a fill or unfill since.

You'll get there, frustrating for sure, but definitely worth it.

[NY Bandster 1]

Thanks so much and congrats to you!!!!

At surgery, I had 2cc's. At 12 weeks, I had 1.5cc's. At about 24 weeks, I had 1cc. Then around 40 weeks, I had another 1cc put in, then about 8 weeks after that, had .25 removed. That was back in May and I haven't needed a fill or unfill since.

You'll get there, frustrating for sure, but definitely worth it.

[SugarCali 9]

I am on day 26---and am not feeling much restriction any more either. The first few days, 1/2 cup of Soup would fill me up. I have added chicken to my diet and it doesn't seem to fill me up....It has been a struggle. I find myself feeling like I want to eat. I have been trying to stick to the mushie-like food, like puddings and fudgsicles. I have been doing about 1200 calories a day, is that too much?

It IS frustrating. I do not have an appt. for another TWO weeks too. I hate coming here to complain, because I find the positive posts SO encouraging, but am worried too.

[New Scott 0]

I am on day 26---and am not feeling much restriction any more either. The first few days, 1/2 cup of Soup would fill me up. I have added chicken to my diet and it doesn't seem to fill me up....It has been a struggle. I find myself feeling like I want to eat. I have been trying to stick to the mushie-like food, like puddings and fudgsicles. I have been doing about 1200 calories a day, is that too much?

It IS frustrating. I do not have an appt. for another TWO weeks too. I hate coming here to complain, because I find the positive posts SO encouraging, but am worried too.

Don't worry. I didnt have any restriction either up until my first fill. My surgeon had me phase in solid foods after two weeks due to my fast healing, and work up to eating steak before my first fill. I really didnt find much of anything that wouldn't go down no problem up until my first fill. My first fill changed everything, I definetly feel restriction, and I don't think I could eat a piece of steak right now no matter how much I chewed it.

[arkansasmom 0]

I got a small fill at 2 weeks 1cc, I am now at 4.5 weeks and feel like I could eat the house. Been doing well, but am hungry. I went for another 'fill this Tuesday' but doc would not fill any more since I had lost 8 lbs in the last two weeks and a total of 17 in the 4 weeks. I tried to explain to him it was because I just wouldn't let myself eat and that I am hungry all the time and don't feel much restriction.

It was very frustrating and I'm still frustrated, I have to wait 2 more weeks and if I lose anything he won't fill me. I feel like I need the fill to help stop the hunger otherwise I'm going to slip and head to mickey d's.

[JimR915 21]

I am on day 26---and am not feeling much restriction any more either. The first few days, 1/2 cup of Soup would fill me up. I have added chicken to my diet and it doesn't seem to fill me up....It has been a struggle. I find myself feeling like I want to eat. I have been trying to stick to the mushie-like food, like puddings and fudgsicles. I have been doing about 1200 calories a day, is that too much?

It IS frustrating. I do not have an appt. for another TWO weeks too. I hate coming here to complain, because I find the positive posts SO encouraging, but am worried too.

It helped me to put it into perspective. We are on a long term journey. We didn't gain the weight overnight, and it will take a long time to lose it. The band is a tool, but there is a process to getting it to the right place where the tool begins to help you on that journey.

I had absolutely no restriction until my first fill, and that was hell from being hungry all the time. I was losing weight, but I felt it was only because I was "dieting". The band was doing nothing for me. I had 5cc added to a 15cc band this past Monday. I experienced my first restriction when I ate my lunch a bit too fast. It was a great day when I felt that first bit of restriction.

I suspect that I will need at least 1 to 3 more fills before I start feeling some real restriction each time I sit down to eat.

Hang in there. What you are feeling is totally normal. Have faith and you'll be in the green zone before you know it.

[NY Bandster 1]

Thanks again everyone for sharing your experiences. It really does help!! @ sugar - I have been staying within the 800 - 1000 calories a day range with a couple of days going to 1200 when I am super hungry. I'm still staying on mushies because I am afraid to push it to regular food. I am not losing even at this calorie range! This really worries me! Even when I do get my first fill and have some restriction, I'm not so sure I will be eating much less than 1000 calories.

So here's my next question for those of you that have found your green zone.... How many calories do you take in each day?

Thanks again!

[Msz Alie 0]

i'm 6 weeks out and during week 5 i noticed that some days i could ALMOST eat alot. I eventually feel sick and stop. I've associated it with my missing TOM, i should've gotten it, but it's M.I.A. GYN said it's most likely due to hormones and weight loss. I'm feeling restriction and less hunger this week. I'm not too sure i want a fill because i've been doing well without one so far.

[honk 780]

Bandster Hell, period. All I can say is measure measure measure. All the time. When the food is gone you are done eating. I did that for 6 months until I got restriction. Right now there is not diffence between your stomach then there was before surgery. The band is just sitting there doing nothing. I made it threw by telling myself, I only have to have this much will power for a couple months and then I will have some help. In the past I gave up on diets after a year ( have lost 100 pounds 3 times prior to the band) because I could'nt see my self living like that for the rest of my life. Basically being hungry all the time.