Hi there,

I had my surgery on August 31,2012 and I did really good on the pre-op diet and and the post-op diet up until the 4th post-op week when I could eat solid foods. To be real honest I had a free-for-all and ate pretty much anything I wanted and then I would feel miserable because I was so full. I did notice that I got full a little quicker than normal but I still ate a pretty large amount. In my warped mind I thought I would (excuse my graphicness) vomit if I over ate but I never did. Everyone that I knew that had the surgery told me that if I overate my body bascially wouldn't let me, which evidently is not the case for me. I haven't had my first fill-thats not till next week but now I'm hearing that I've basically ruined my lap-band surgery because I stretched out the new stomach? Is this true? Its been a week since I fell off the wagon but I'm devasted....I've now starting weighing my food and eating right but ever since I had the surgery theres never really been a time when I felt full even when I was doing the right things....I'm always thinking of food and my stomach growls, maybe its mental but I'm really struggling here. I just hope I haven't ruined everything because of my week binge.

I doubt that you have ruined your band. We all fall off the wagon. Any restriction you may have felt early was from swelling. You won't have restriction from the band for several fills yet. Just keep up the good work of measuring and eating food slowly and chewing. I am a veteran bander that is starting over, and I have to remind myself too - see Major Stuck Episode that I just posted.

Hang in there. It is a learning process.

You have very little restriction now... so you need to govern your eating so you lose wight during this time. Once you get a fill you still may not have enough restriction until you hit the green zone which for me took about 4 fills and 4 months During that time....you need to weigh, measure and track your calories or you most likely will not lose.

I doubt you hurt your band so dont worry... but do start writing down everything you eat... and I mean everything. If you can use a phone ap..its easier and calculates the math for you. This way you can see what you need to eliminate.

With little restriction, it is unlikely you stretched your pouch. More importantly, you need to get your head in the game. Some people can't over eat... most of us can if we want. You have to not want too. Don't believe anyone who tells you this is easy.

Best of Luck to you on your journey.... don't worry, I think everything is ok!

I hate to tell you this, but the band isn't supposed to restrict what you eat. If you're expecting that to happen you're going to be disappointed or even possibly fill it too tight (risking slips). The band is supposed to keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. Satisfied meaning no longer physically hungry.

This is part of the reason banded people are advised to keep all their meals to a cup of food or less. It prevents from over eating as well as stretching our pouches. If I were you, I would start measuring all your food and not eating more than a cup per meal going forward. The band won't stop you from eating more than a cup so it's your job to start practicing portion control now. Just because you physically can eat something, or more of something, doesn't mean you should.

You've very new banded and you don't have adequate Fluid in your band so it's going to be rough for awhile. However it does get much easier as you get fluid in your band and more used to the 1 cup portions. Hang in there and start practicing portion control, you'll be glad you did.

Best wishes to you.

Really doubt you "ruined" your band or stretched your pouch. You really have no restriction without a fill so the little restriction you may have felt in the beginning was just post-op swelling which most people feel.

The begining is very hard, which is why it's called "bandster hell" we're told to eat like we have restriction when we don't have any. It's rough, i know, (going through it right now) but you must stick to one cup of protein based food at a time. Do NOT overeat and then expect to throw it up if it's too much. Thats just nuts

I think that a lot of it has to do with head hunger. I battle with it daily. I was banded 9/6/12 and I have no Fluid in my band but after a cup of food I feel stuffed but my head is used to eating a lot more than a cup of food so I have to fight with myself everyday to stay at a cup of food. it's hard because we are so used to an unhealthy relationship with food but with hard work you can over come it.

Starting weight: 264.5 Current weight 252.6 Goal weight 160

dont hate me but if you cant control your eating (and overeat in larger amounts) in the future it could cause harm (stretched or slippage). i am pretty sure you are okay but you must get off this (am i okay attitude). do what the doctor said to do and the nutritionist. eat Protein, veggies and your fruits. measure or eat 1 cup of food and drink all day. you have to be positive to make this work. help the band work by helping yourself.

ps-what you ate is already pooped out so forget it. but remember how (scared you are now). and dont do it anymore.

hang in there okay