I was banded on the 3rd of July and for the first week was never hungry..suddenly I am hungry every 2 hours! This doesn't seem normal, I am feeling like my stomach is reverting back to what it was!

Are you taking in enough protein? Every doctor is different, my doctor requires a liquid diet (clear meat broths, protein shakes, sugar free jello & sugar free ice pops) and then 2 weeks of soft/ pureed foods. You were banded 6 days before me, so you are a bit ahead of me. SInce you were banded a week earlier, the swelling from surgery as well as the bloating have probably subsided. You are probably feeling hungry from all of the healing. You may want to try a protein shake (even slim fast 2 times a day) can be helpful. Besides Slim Fast, there are other brands that my doctor put on a pre approved list: Isopure, Ultra Pure Protein & Worldwide extreme protein: 1 shake a day. Nutrimelt, Myoplex Carb Sense, Slim Fast Lo Carb or Unjury: 2 shakes a day. The key is to have less than 10 or 11 grams of carbs per serving. Hope this helps.

Keep drinking, and eat as much of the allowed foods as reasonable to stave off your hunger. At this stage you should be concentrating on healing rather than weight loss.

You've only been banded 10 days. It's likely you're hungry because the swelling in your stomach is going down so you're regaining your appetite.

Do not expect to feel restriction until at least a couple fills. It takes time. Prior to that point, you will have to rely on will power to stay within the guidelines of small portions and healthy food choices. Many call the time period between surgery and restriction "bandster hell".

I was the same way. I have read in here that people call it bandster hell. Apparently after the swelling goes down and before your first fill it can happen.

I apologize in advance for copying my post from an earlier topic identical to this one:

Oh yeah! You're in "Bandster Hell". I'm not sure how I got through this phase without gaining weight. I think the band gave me enough restriction to eat less and that's all it took. But it really sucked! I was in BH for 3.5 months and bitched about it to my poor wife every day.

My first 2 fills did nothing for me. Finally fill #3 gave me some restriction and I began to understand how to eat and how to communicate with my band. And I think the first 2 months of BH were the worst. I seemed to be hungry all the time. I work from home so I grazed constantly. But I did like some other bandster recommended and I had rid my house of evil foods. No chips, sweets etc. I ate nutritious foods while in BH. Salads, chicken, fish, etc. So, I was on a diet once again but I never really suffered and for some reason didn't miss the chicken fried steaks.

Yeah, it's normal but it's only temporary. There's a learning curve with the band. You need to learn how to eat, what to eat and how long to eat and it doesn't come naturally. Bandster Hell is a good thing I now know. It taught me how to be patient and will teach you the same. Like Elcee said, this is a time for healing, don't fret weight loss at this point.

BTW-Your doctor may have only put 1-2 CCs of saline in your band. Therefore you have no restriction because the band is sewed into the side of your stomach and that needs to heal. It's not really loose on your stomach but it's not squeezing just yet. You're pretty much right where you were before surgery. And it will stay like this until you get the fill that gives you some restriction. But don't eat big solid food yet. You don't want to mess up the artwork of your surgeon.

Don't whine and complain because all of us bandsters had to go through the same thing. It sucks, but it's worth it in about 6 months.

tmf

I was banded July 2 and I have been totally hungry for the last couple days. I'm still on liquids for another day. I can't wait to eat my soft foods! I realize that the swelling is probably down and why I'm hungry now. Soooooo we have to just control ourselves a little until our fill. I have the first one in 3 weeks... :-/

Mine was July 2nd also. I am soo hungry now so I feel you. So now I know this has a name, bandster hell, lol. Maybe it will be easier once I get back to work.