I am new to this site and very glad I found it because I really need the support! I was banded on 8/22/12. I had no problems with my incisions. I was up walking around within 2 hours and I had minimal pain after 3-4 days. I am very happy with the way I've been healing. I had my follow-up with my surgeon on 8/29/12. I lost 14 lbs in the first week, which I'm assuming was mostly water weight, but I'm happy nonetheless. I was switched to soft mushy on the 29th and as of yesterday, I'm allowed to eat anything. I've noticed over the last week or so, that I'm getting hungry more often. My diet has consisted mostly of protein shakes for breakfast, tuna or chicken salad with light Mayo and no bread, jello, light or Greek yogurt, and chicken or vegetable soups. What worries me is that I'm still able to eat quite a bit. I know I don't have restriction right now because I have no fluid in my band, but it's really hard to stick to three smaller meals a day when my mind and my stomach size have not changed. Does anyone have any suggestions? I haven't been snacking at all because I don't know what would be considered a "good snack." I'm looking forward to my first fill on 9/27/12; hoping that any physical restriction I may experience then will reinforce my mental efforts to change the way I eat. Overall, I'm not discouraged with my results because it has only been 3 weeks, but I just want to maximize my weight loss and do the right things from the beginning. So, any advice is welcomed! Thanks in advance!

Hello and welcome!

Everything you're experiencing is totally normal, btw. Many of us refer to the time between surgery and when we have good restriction in our band as "bandster hell" because you still have the hunger of an unbanded person yet are expected to eat the small portions of a banded person. It can very trying.

Since your doctor has given you an ok to eat what you like now, definitely focus on Protein because it will help ease the hunger longer. Do you like nuts? Things like pistachios are a great snack and loaded in protein. I like low fat cottage cheese, too. Though it's not a protein, raw veggies dipped in fat free ranch can be really yummy too.

The only way I survived bandster hell was by focusing on calories rather than just 3 meals a day. For instance, I was eating about 1000 calories a day then (I eat more now). I knew that just 3 meals at a cup or less of food each wouldn't keep my hunger under control at all. So, I spread my calories out so I could eat every 2 hours. For me, it worked, because I stuck to my budgeted calorie amount yet I was eating frequent enough that I wasn't starving.

Also, don't be discouraged if you don't notice a difference after your first fill. It is possible that you might, but most people require multiple fills before they have adequate restriction in your band. It can be a bit of a slow if not frustrating process to get there, but it really is so so worth it in the end.

Best wishes to you

Hi Mimi, I haven't been there or done that yet. I just wanted to welcome you to the board and congratulate you for being on the other side, so jealous, no just kidding, very happy for you.

Hope to read about your successes. Mis 73 is a wonderful person to follow.

Best Wishes!

I agree, I took my total calorie intake and spread it out until I got my first fill. I was at 750-800 calories a day.

We have the same banded date and I am experiencing the same thing. It truly takes a lot of self control. I lost 10lbs the first week. However since then, each time I changed to a new phase, I gained 2 lbs. I am at 1200 calories per doctors orders. I am eating a well balance meal and satiated for three hours. I have not been discouraged by the weight gain because I assume it is due to my body being confused and being sedentary. I will start working out tomorrow so that should help restart my loss. I was scheduled to get my fill on 9/20 but they said call if I felt I needed one earlier so I am going to call tomorrow. Be patient with yourself. We will both lose the weight because we are committed

1000 calories was my number.... I ate that before my first fill , after , when i was in the green zone and even today ...9 lbs from my goal I eat 1000 calories most each and every day. As much as the band isn't a diet... Until you hit the green zone you must treat it as such. I was very motivated to get the weight off as soon as possible so I just focused on everything other than eating... And the weight dropped. My first hundred came off in 7 months. The 2nd hundred took about a year. Of course no two people are the same but if you burn more calories than you take in simple math says you will lose weight.

All the best to you

I am new to this site and very glad I found it because I really need the support! I was banded on 8/22/12. I had no problems with my incisions. I was up walking around within 2 hours and I had minimal pain after 3-4 days. I am very happy with the way I've been healing. I had my follow-up with my surgeon on 8/29/12. I lost 14 lbs in the first week' date=' which I'm assuming was mostly Water weight, but I'm happy nonetheless. I was switched to soft mushy on the 29th and as of yesterday, I'm allowed to eat anything. I've noticed over the last week or so, that I'm getting hungry more often. My diet has consisted mostly of Protein shakes for breakfast, tuna or chicken salad with light Mayo and no bread, Jello, light or Greek yogurt, and chicken or vegetable soups. What worries me is that I'm still able to eat quite a bit. I know I don't have restriction right now because I have no Fluid in my band, but it's really hard to stick to three smaller meals a day when my mind and my stomach size have not changed. Does anyone have any suggestions? I haven't been snacking at all because I don't know what would be considered a "good snack." I'm looking forward to my first fill on 9/27/12; hoping that any physical restriction I may experience then will reinforce my mental efforts to change the way I eat. Overall, I'm not discouraged with my results because it has only been 3 weeks, but I just want to maximize my weight loss and do the right things from the beginning. So, any advice is welcomed! Thanks in advance![/quote']

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Welcome Mimi!

Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement!

Hello and welcome!

Everything you're experiencing is totally normal' date=' btw. Many of us refer to the time between surgery and when we have good restriction in our band as "bandster hell" because you still have the hunger of an unbanded person yet are expected to eat the small portions of a banded person. It can very trying.

Since your doctor has given you an ok to eat what you like now, definitely focus on Protein because it will help ease the hunger longer. Do you like nuts? Things like pistachios are a great snack and loaded in protein. I like low fat cottage cheese, too. Though it's not a protein, raw veggies dipped in fat free ranch can be really yummy too.

The only way I survived bandster hell was by focusing on calories rather than just 3 meals a day. For instance, I was eating about 1000 calories a day then (I eat more now). I knew that just 3 meals at a cup or less of food each wouldn't keep my hunger under control at all. So, I spread my calories out so I could eat every 2 hours. For me, it worked, because I stuck to my budgeted calorie amount yet I was eating frequent enough that I wasn't starving.

Also, don't be discouraged if you don't notice a difference after your first fill. It is possible that you might, but most people require multiple fills before they have adequate restriction in your band. It can be a bit of a slow if not frustrating process to get there, but it really is so so worth it in the end.

Best wishes to you <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

This was the best advice for me too! Thank you soooo much! You've totally made my day! =)

This was super helpful! I was banded the same day and am not able to get a fill per my doctor until 10/10 just trying to power through and take it day by day