HELP! I just had surgery 3 weeks ago and I have NO restriction!!!! What is wrong with me? I can guzzle water, i can eat anything I want and i am eating about a cup of food at a time!!! Its like I dont have a band!!! I was lossing weight up until like 3 days ago but I gained 4 lbs since then!!! Yes i weigh every morning as motivation, and NO my surgeon doesnt put any fill in wene he puts the band in so its empty. I go to the doctors on Thur and the nurse said he may do a fill then only 3 weeks post op....Is that to early and does it sound like I NEED one???So confused..I have no pain I basically feel like there is NO band at all!!!! WHATS WRONG????

No need to panic. Unfortunately, everything you described is normal. You'll be able to eat and guzzle any and everything until you start feeling restriction from the fills. Just be patient and hang in there. It's all willpower until restriction comes into play.

A cup of food is what you should be eating. That is normal. Are you sure there is no fill right now. Standard is that he fill about 3cc in surgery then go from there.

You should not have any pain in the band area. maybe some around port or the big incision.

A fill at 3 weeks is early. There will still be some swelling in the area but im no doctor.

STOP STOP STOP weighing yourself daily. You will go crazy doing that. Once maybe twice a week is good.

Yes you may gain a bit during post op time now that you will be going back to solid food. Now is the time though to start changing your diet from the high calorie junk to nutrient dense foods that are good for you. Get away from calories from liquids like pop and sugary drinks. Keep bad carbs to zero and good carbs to a minimum. Eat good protients first then your carbs. You'll be fine dont worry to much. This time you are in is called bandster hell for a reason. get on the track now and stay on it this will work if you relax and work with it. Small sets backs will happen too so don't wory be happy. Your on the road to freedom now.

Did you not receive any education from your Dr or his practice prior to being banded on how the band actually works? Just having a band doesn't make a difference, it is the fills that do that.

You might want to visit the lapband.com site and read up some of the info there. Then if you don't understand what it is saying ask us some more questions.

Despite what some posters believe, there is no STANDARD practice re filling the band at surgery. Some surgeons put some fill in, some don't.

It is just like our pre and post op eating instructions - they vary from surgeon to surgeon.

It is just like the amount of fill and frequency of fills - they vary from surgeon to surgeon.

it is just like the results that you will achieve, even if you are fully educated and follow your surgeon's instructions to the letter - they will vary from bandster to bandster.

It's great to come here for information and reassurance, but remember that there is no one answer fits all for so much to do with the band!

It is absolutely OK. I did not feel any serious restriction until the 4-th fill !! It is more like restriction in your mind- you have done it, and you just CAN'T eat same much as before. Though- I am the bad example- was cheating, eating all I saw... But never same amounts as before the band.

Even with me being so undisciplined, even though I need to loose another 60 lbs - I have 90 lbs off by now - 8 months after surgery, and it feels sooooo good.

I too have no restriction at all. I was hoping he might give me fill at my 2 wk post op appt since he didnt put any in at surgery, buy I was told that I need the 4 weeks for all of the swelling to go down. Like the others said- it's all willpower right now and a normal ,expected part of the process. You have come too far at this point- just think of the time until you get a fill as being a temporary state, just like the pre-op diet was, then take it day by day. It will all be worth it in the end.

A cup of food is what you should be eating. That is normal. Are you sure there is no fill right now. Standard is that he fill about 3cc in surgery then go from there.

You should not have any pain in the band area. maybe some around port or the big incision.

A fill at 3 weeks is early. There will still be some swelling in the area but im no doctor.

STOP STOP STOP weighing yourself daily. You will go crazy doing that. Once maybe twice a week is good.

Yes you may gain a bit during post op time now that you will be going back to solid food. Now is the time though to start changing your diet from the high calorie junk to nutrient dense foods that are good for you. Get away from calories from liquids like pop and sugary drinks. Keep bad carbs to zero and good carbs to a minimum. Eat good protients first then your carbs. You'll be fine dont worry to much. This time you are in is called bandster hell for a reason. get on the track now and stay on it this will work if you relax and work with it. Small sets backs will happen too so don't wory be happy. Your on the road to freedom now.

Thank u for clearing it up!!!!NO my doctor that did the surgery does not put fluid in at surgery i called and asked!!!I dont eat sugar due to being diabetic.The closes sugar I get is sugar free popsicles and crystal light!!!lol i have been to scared to eat any card i just eat meat and veggies...So glad to know all this is normal!!!Thanks again and i cant wait to go to the doctor tomorrow..I have no pain anywere..my port area hasnt hurt at all in days...should it still be hurting?

The band does nothing for you until you get fills. Took me 6 months of fills to get restriction. You should be able to eat 1 cup of food. Regardless what some people say on this site adults eat more than 2-3 bites of food per meal.