I aM super worried that I can eat and I find I have to stop myself because I'm not as full as before....why?????

Well the band doesn't stop the hunger. It's only a tool to eat less the rest is up to u

You will eat less once you start getting fills

At three weeks post-op your swelling around the band has probably gone down, so you will start feeling the hunger. Antwan is right, it won't stop the hunger at all. This is what we refer to as "Bandster Hell", where you aren't at a satisified fill level (aka - Green Zone) and you're having to keep your hunger in check. This is the "white-knuckle" phase where you have to put mind over matter and follow your eating plan.

I know this is MUCH tougher than it should be, because face it, if we could keep our hunger in check we wouldn't have needed surgery. It WILL get better. Focus on Protein, it will keep you fuller, longer. Chew slowly and wait between bites to let the food really digest. Again though, it WILL get better.

SURPRISE!!! Welcome to "Bandster Hell"!!! I'll bet no one told you about this part of your journey? No one told me. I found out about it at a support group meeting about 7 weeks post op. I'd like to say this is a dirty little secret that doctors neglect to tell us but in reality it's a good thing that we go through this. As you get fills you will try to detect if you are getting any restriction. It's like listening to your band. It helps you to begin to communicate with your body, your stomach and your pouch. The learning curve is long. It may take you 4-6 months to get acquainted with your band and develop that love/hate relationship we all adore.

So, I was in BH for about 3.5 months. After I was told about this phase I decided to eat healthy but no deprive myself from being satiated. I probably ate too much but I didn't gain and I didn't lose after the initial 2 weeks.

Jen is right so eat light, eat Protein and get those fills.

tmf

I have not been banded yet, my surgery is on Aug 6th, but I have read everything I could and chatted in the chat room asking questions. I dieted for 2 months and I could not understand why they put me on a 10 day Protein only diet and now I am on 3 days of fluids only. I think it is to prepare for the Banster Hell. When I have 3 shakes per day 27grams of protein with skim milk, I was surprised I was not hungry, so now looking back I am happy I did have to go through that because I would of never believed I could do it.

Now when I have to wait for my fills, I will make sure I incorporate Protein Shakes in my day. After surgery and 3 days of Clear liquids, my diet will me 2 Protein shake for am and pm snack and the rest is cottage cheese or greek yogurt also high in protein for 11 days and then I progress into soft food and then solid. I have many other choices on the list, but that is the example meal they have for us as a guide. They want to add as much protein without going over on my carbs. Find out from your nutrition how much carb, protein and fat you should have per day with your band.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

I was also thinking this is what we call "Bandster Hell"...

Thanks everyone. I'm so scared to fail at this last ditch weight loss effort and I have lost 6 lbs since i was banded 3 weeks ago. I guess I expected to lose more. Per dr I am following south beach diet. I feel loss in inches