Just made one month post op yesterday but feeling discourage to the point that I forget I even have this thing. I really hope I get my first fill soon!

Many people have a period of depression after surgery. It's not an easy period, and I don't know anything

to say to make it easier. All you can do is to follow what you know is right, eat the way you're supposed

to and wait for your fills. Thousands before you have done it, and you can too. Try to lose one pound,

then see if you can work from there. It's no fun, but it'll be worth it.

Why are you so discouraged? Did you prepare yourself for this surgery? I am 24 days out. Just started solids the other day. I am weighing my protein, eating meals on a small plate, chewing well, trying to savor every bite. I am sticking with healthy choices, no junk food. I have not had a fill yet , but I am satisfied with my portions. But you have to put in the emotional work. Like everyone says, the band is a tool. YOU control what goes in to your mouth, not the band. Do the work. This is no quick or easy fix. But going by all the successes I have read here, I choose to have faith that the band will help me to change my life. What's the alternative? Staying fat and uncomfortable with low self esteem and the eventuality of obesity related diseases. No Thanks!

Good luck. Keep in touch. I love these message boards.

Oh I have definitely been in your shoes! I had my surgery on May 25th and a week or 2 after surgery I lost some weight but then I barely lost anything-a very slow process! I started all this self-doubt thinking that maybe this surgery wouldn't work for me. I still could eat pretty much anything and was becoming discoraged. Slowly after each fill I could sense myself inching towards the "Green Zone" and out of the stage they calle "Bandster Hell" (<--the period of time that weight lost is low and hunger is high). Then my 4th fill did the trick -3 months after surgery! I still get hungry but I simply can not eat normal sized portions and my weight loss keeps going down (slowly-but steady).

Yesterday I was trying on coats-last year I was a 20/22 or 2x and yesterday I stood in front of the Macy's mirror with a size 14 coat on!! A friggen 14!! I LOVE to go clothes shopping now! I actually feel sexy now and I haven't felt that in many, many years.

My point is-you are still in the very beginning stages and you don't have the correct fill to get you into the green zone. With each fill you recieve it will get you closer. Before you know it you will be looking in the mirror and thinking "Wow, I look good!" Keep summer in mind-by summer time you'll be looking fabulous and feeling so much healthier! Meanwhile try to eat healthy foods and get out and take walks, drink plenty of Water, vitiamins, get your Proteins in so you don't feel the hunger monster as much. You will get there son enough!

The first month is probably the hardest time for bandsters. I was so depressed the first two weeks after surgery, thinking "Oh my God, what have I done to myself? I'll never be able to eat again! I made such a huge mistake!" So not true. I'm down almost 60 pounds, and I look at feel so much better. It's not an easy road but if I can do it, ANYONE can!

Things will get better. Hang in there, you can do this!

Thanks for all the comments I do appreciate them all. My frustration is not that I'm not losing weight because I have lost some weight is from the amount of food that I eat, I was told to eat 2oz of food but that's not enough. I try and eat healthy my problem is the portion! for example I can eat salad everyday but it will be a bowl not 2oz that's why I get discourage I know I haven't gotten a fill yet but still I feel I should be able to just eat the portion I was told... For the person who commented about if I did research before I had the surgery duh I am not going to have a surgery done without doing my research also this is not a one day process it was a 7 month process for me so please don't go there!!! I do want to lose weight not because I don't think I don't look good because I know I am beautiful and love myself FAT or skinny I did this so I can lose some weight and stop taking my meds.. I just want to eat a little and feel full whether and lose or not that's it.. I just want to take a couple of bites and feel FOOL!

I've never heard the 2 oz guideline. That is only 1/4 cup at each meal. I have heard everything from 4oz (1/2 cup) to 8oz (1 cup) , but never 2oz. Did they tell you how many calories? How many of these 2oz meals per day?

Getting fills will help, but the 2oz thing just doesn't sound right.

Oh I have definitely been in your shoes! I had my surgery on May 25th and a week or 2 after surgery I lost some weight but then I barely lost anything-a very slow process! I started all this self-doubt thinking that maybe this surgery wouldn't work for me. I still could eat pretty much anything and was becoming discoraged. Slowly after each fill I could sense myself inching towards the "Green Zone" and out of the stage they calle "Bandster Hell" (<--the period of time that weight lost is low and hunger is high). Then my 4th fill did the trick -3 months after surgery! I still get hungry but I simply can not eat normal sized portions and my weight loss keeps going down (slowly-but steady).

Yesterday I was trying on coats-last year I was a 20/22 or 2x and yesterday I stood in front of the Macy's mirror with a size 14 coat on!! A friggen 14!! I LOVE to go clothes shopping now! I actually feel sexy now and I haven't felt that in many, many years.

My point is-you are still in the very beginning stages and you don't have the correct fill to get you into the green zone. With each fill you recieve it will get you closer. Before you know it you will be looking in the mirror and thinking "Wow, I look good!" Keep summer in mind-by summer time you'll be looking fabulous and feeling so much healthier! Meanwhile try to eat healthy foods and get out and take walks, drink plenty of Water, vitiamins, get your Proteins in so you don't feel the hunger monster as much. You will get there son enough!

Ditto !

3 meals per day! I have it in writing that is why I am feeling so discourage don't get me wrong I have lost weight but I have been eating more than 2 oz. I don't know if they made a mistake but that is what it says... Will call my surgeon tomorrow!

<br />I've never heard the 2 oz guideline. That is only 1/4 cup at each meal. I have heard everything from 4oz (1/2 cup) to 8oz (1 cup) , but never 2oz. Did they tell you how many calories? How many of these 2oz meals per day? <br /><br />Getting fills will help, but the 2oz thing just doesn't sound right.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Protein and veggies in the crockpot!! I tell you that this combination will fill you up (I eat more than what I thought I would be able to.) if you eat good things that will keep you full for longer periods of time you will do better. salad does not stay with you very long and you will be hungry again soon after. Try adding protein to your salad and see how much that helps. Tuna, chicken, or any other type of protein you prefer would do so much for your hunger. I was banded on October 19th and find I cannot eat as much as I used to. My problem is learning to slow down. I tend to still eat fast and then feel so tight all I want to do is lay down and groan. I am learning each day how to work with my band. I do not get my first fill until November 30th and while I am looking forward to the first fill, I need to really use this time to learn how to eat slower and get into the habit of taking my time and chewing more.

Good luck to you!

Post op I noticed the changes in my own eating, after the 6-week intensive introduction to 'liquids'-mushies etc protocol, was that the sensation had changed....I became more interested in 'how little' I could eat before becoming not hungry. The sensation of being 'full' is a bad trail to follow IMHO.

I had spent my life trying to eat until I was "full". I could never do it, as I was always 'hungry' and ready to eatEatEAT despite having just stuffed down another bag-o-burgers.

I had to learn the subtle nuance between "hungry" and "not hungry". That was a tremendous boost in my own journey. And learning how to not feel guilty about "not eating it all" etc.

I think we can invent our own work out routine if we learn a few basics.

About day 4 post op I went thru that "What did I DO" [sound of Homer's One Hand smacking forehead].....but that only lasted a few days.

I will try that thank you, good luck to you too..

Protein and veggies in the crockpot!! I tell you that this combination will fill you up (I eat more than what I thought I would be able to.) if you eat good things that will keep you full for longer periods of time you will do better. salad does not stay with you very long and you will be hungry again soon after. Try adding protein to your salad and see how much that helps. Tuna, chicken, or any other type of protein you prefer would do so much for your hunger. I was banded on October 19th and find I cannot eat as much as I used to. My problem is learning to slow down. I tend to still eat fast and then feel so tight all I want to do is lay down and groan. I am learning each day how to work with my band. I do not get my first fill until November 30th and while I am looking forward to the first fill, I need to really use this time to learn how to eat slower and get into the habit of taking my time and chewing more.

Good luck to you!