I'm really trying to follow the rules my doctor gave me, but my stomach is always growling. I'm only 4 weeks post-op, so no fills yet. It has been a struggle to keep my calories under 1200 a day and sometimes I can't sleep at night for being hungry. I'm getting all my Protein and Water in, but it doesn't seem to help. I'm afraid the hunger is going to get to me eventually and I'm going to binge on something. Anyone else experience this and if so, what did you do?

I wasn't really expecting to feel like this after surgery....

I'm really trying to follow the rules my doctor gave me, but my stomach is always growling. I'm only 4 weeks post-op, so no fills yet. It has been a struggle to keep my calories under 1200 a day and sometimes I can't sleep at night for being hungry. I'm getting all my Protein and Water in, but it doesn't seem to help. I'm afraid the hunger is going to get to me eventually and I'm going to binge on something. Anyone else experience this and if so, what did you do?

I wasn't really expecting to feel like this after surgery....

Yes it has stopped in my case.... but I am 11 months post op, have had 5 fills and am finally in the green zone. Before that it was sheer will power that got me through.... well that and sugar free popsicles...

eat sugar free fudgesicles and popsicles they really work

Its also not uncommon to feel hungry if you are still on thick liquids or mushies. Im only 5 day post op and Im starving. Of course Im still liquids. Im sure you will feel better after your fill. The band is not one size fits all, so be patient and use that willpower! We're all cheering for you.

Corinna

Unfortunately you are in what we call "Bandster Hell", the time between being healed from surgery and getting to the Green Zone. It does get better, so don't despair. I really think surgeons need to warn their patients about this, because I certainly wasn't prepared for it either!

All you need is a fill! It will get better but the hunger will never go away...you do have to eat to live I am 2 years post op!

My surgeon told me to eat to my hunger in the first couple of months. He said I was just healing, and there was no reason to expect the band to be doing its job while I'm healing and it's only minimally filled. He told me to make healthy choices, but that if I was hungry after dinner, to go ahead and have some supper. And to just not expect too much weight loss until the fills start and we can get the band working with me. He was right - I lost weight on the pre-op diet and in the couple of weeks immediately post-op, then I plateaued. I've now broken the plateau (with the 3rd fill), I'm out of bandster hell, and the band and I are working well together!

I went to sleep the first month with hunger pains too. But after my first fill I lost all hunger. If I was really busy nightime would come and I would remember I had not eaten all day, so for some of us or most of us it does go away. I am 2+ yeas post op and still hardly ever get hungry but I eat anyway . . . my head is always hungry!!!

Cheri