Hi All ... so I am 5 weeks post op and going for my first fill next week. I had lost about 25 pounds from the date of the surgery till now. The first few weeks weight lost was pretty steady with the liquid diet and my appeitie being gone from the surgery itself. Since I have been able to eat soft and now most foods my appetitie is completely back to how it was pre op. I realize this is what everyone refers to as the "bandster hell" period but I actually gained a couple pounds in the soft and most food stage

I am guessing that since I really have no restriction now and my frist fill is next week this is all normal ... but having my old appetitie back is scary! I just keep thinking what if the fill does help !!! Just look for some thoughts and reassurance that my world will change a bit next week with my fill!!!

Thanks!

You are and answer to my prayers....I am feeling the SAME way...wondering if I have done something wrong. They told me to eat 2 tbs of meat, etc but then I was not getting enough calories. My doctor's coordinator who is also a patient form 8+ yrs told me that the goal of the first month post surgery was to get used to the new pouch and for it to heal and not to worry. I tried to get them to do my first fill early but they wouldn't I can't wait for this FRIDAY to ge my fill..I understand your fear because I have the same fears...I guess I didn't expect to feel this hungry too. They said the band does 70% of the work and I don't expect it to do more than that but I hope it works too. Keep us posted on your fill...good luck.. TOny in Florida

Hi All ... so I am 5 weeks post op and going for my first fill next week. I had lost about 25 pounds from the date of the surgery till now. The first few weeks weight lost was pretty steady with the liquid diet and my appeitie being gone from the surgery itself. Since I have been able to eat soft and now most foods my appetitie is completely back to how it was pre op. I realize this is what everyone refers to as the "bandster hell" period but I actually gained a couple pounds in the soft and most food stage

I am guessing that since I really have no restriction now and my frist fill is next week this is all normal ... but having my old appetitie back is scary! I just keep thinking what if the fill does help !!! Just look for some thoughts and reassurance that my world will change a bit next week with my fill!!!

Thanks!

I understand, but think about it. What has changed? You had surgery, you spent 4 weeks recovering from surgery,and now you are healed and back to NORMAL. As you were before the surgery.

Now, it's time to put that band to work by activating it with a fill!

Everyone looses weight post op. how can one not having nothing but liquids and them moosh. Start eating normally, start gaining again.

I am six weeks banded tomorrow and I am getting my appetite back a bit but I think fear of things going down wrong or getting stuck has me not eating things I used to eat like bread, junk food etc.... I also find that when I eat to much I have trouble swallowing and I feel like I am going to choke. Don't know if this is normal. I will ask at my first fill on 2/1. Good luck.

It took me three fills to get to 6cc in a 10 cc band to get restriction...these first moths are awful and this band is not for wimps...consider yourself lucky if you can keep from gaining till you get to green zone but dont beat yourself up!

I am 5 weeks post-op, myself, and am going for my first fill today. I don't have my FULL on appetite back but it is considerably more of an appetite than I thought I would have. I still WANT the wrong foods all the time. I find myself salivating over the thought of waffles drenched in syrup. But, I have tried a bite and it makes me sick. As I understand it, it takes some time for your mind to match your stomach. I am thinking for us chunky-types that a lot of our "hunger" is psychological.

They say you should take great precautions in not throwing up for the first 5 weeks post-op but I don't know how you keep from it. If your mind doesn't match your stomach and you eat more than you should without knowing yet what a "full" sensation is with the band... ?!?! I guess that is why we are told to measure stuff. That must be my problem because I am an expert on yacking. Let us know if your appetite changes with the fill. Hopefully, I will get my stuff together and finally find the banding Nirvana.

I am 1.5 years out and can tell you this...I felt the same way that you did after the surgery. Until you get restriction from some fills, you will feel somewhat "normal". I was shocked when I could eat normally. It takes a while to find the green zone but once you do, you will lose at a healthy rate. Hange in there.

Thanks for all the feed back it! Its great to hear that we either all went through or are going through the same thing. You really dont know what to expect no matter what you hear or read ... this board helps so much. Any case to respond to some stuff ... I have thrown up 1x since my surgery ... it was pretty uncomfortable. I learned my lesson that day since it was one of the first times I was allowed to eat real food. Even though I am back to "normal" eating I obviously still feel that food just sit there for a bit before it goes down the hole! I cant wait to find that green zone where it all works out. So I guess my concerns were unfounded and I am glad to know that.

Dar i'll be sure to update you how my first fill goes on Monday! Thanks gain for the comments ... keep em coming the more the merrier!

ps just curious about liquids ... after you guys have been filled and are this far out do you have any restricition when drinking?

Ok so what you're feeling is completely normal. And so your not disappointed when you get your fill this will take multiple fills to get to where you need to be and where you feel your band is a tool. Start measuring your food and eat your meals on a bread plate. That helps me. My doctor told me most women with a 10cc band will be in the range of 6.5cc and 8.5cc at their sweet spot. I reached mine finally after 8 months post op! It is so different when you get here. So be patient and realize this is a marathon not a sprint. Start evaluating what your eating... If you want something sweet or something you know you shouldn't have then google a healthy equivalent! That helps me. Moderation is key to success! Don't deprive yourself just be smart about it. Good luck!

Oh and no you should not have much restriction with liquids.