We did it!!!

December 2012 was our time … jumping from pre-op to post-op …

here's to the new friends we've made and to the continued success we'll share in 2013!

Let's keep in touch, share our journeys, swap some recipes, and high-5 our pics as they leap from before to afters!

Banded one month today. Down 18 lbs; was hoping for 20 but I'll take the 18. 😊

No fill until 2/21. Hope I don't chew my arm off before then.

I would definitely call your doctor. I did about being hungry and they moved my fill up. Just saying And good job with the 18 lbs loss!! That is wonderful.

12/19/12-1/19/13 One month down!

How are you all feeling' date=' December Bandsters?! Aside from some other health issues, so far so good. I am suffering through what is known as Bandster Hell. I put a post up in the general forum that I feel like I have a placebo. LOL I have been trying to do the right thing and follow dr/nut orders. Hope all is going well with you all.[/quote']

I was banded on 12/21, and I went through it my third week out when my swelling went down. I was starving!!! Then I decided I just need to eat what is going to satisfy me the most which is Protein, so I started just eating mostly protein and veggies and that helped tremendously to knock out my hunger. I just make sure that my calories are under 1300. I usually range from 400-1300. It seems to help my metabolism when I switch it up a bit. But protein is definitely best! I'm down 16 lbs since surgery and 34 pounds total. Just keep up the good work and try not to let bandster hell detour you!

Banded 12/14 down 38. Will get first fill 2/11. Walking 1 mile a day!

errikadb, it's nice to see I am not the only one! That is exactly when my problem started!!! I was doing great until my swelling went down! banded 12-31-12. My first fill is 1-28-13. I put myself back on the liquid diet until my first fill because i can not control the amount of food i eat and dont want my band to slip! I feel no different than i did before surgery. i feel no restriction at all with anything. i am supposed to have no more than 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day and i need like 10 cups three times a day. Hopefully the dr office will give me my fill on 1-28, if they wont i will go to another dr!!!

Hello All! I was banded on 12/28/12. I have lost 17 pounds since my surgery. I too became very hungry when the swelling went down, and I find I am also able to eat more if I allow myself to. I have fallen off of the wagon a few times, like when I had to go out of town last week for a funeral, but I really try to adhere to the 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day, eating and drinking very slowly (mostly protein). This is definitely one of the biggest challenges for me because I have always been one to inhale my food and drinks! I get my first fill this Thursday (Jan 24th). I am nervous, but also looking forward to seeing what actual restriction feels like.

I would definitely call your doctor. I did about being hungry and they moved my fill up. Just saying And good job with the 18 lbs loss!! That is wonderful.

I'm actually having very little hunger as long as I have lots of protein. But my doctor doesn't fill before 60 days as he wants to be sure you are healed. But that's a month away so I might have to call.

errikadb' date=' it's nice to see I am not the only one! That is exactly when my problem started!!! I was doing great until my swelling went down! banded 12-31-12. My first fill is 1-28-13. I put myself back on the liquid diet until my first fill because i can not control the amount of food i eat and dont want my band to slip! I feel no different than i did before surgery. i feel no restriction at all with anything. i am supposed to have no more than 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day and i need like 10 cups three times a day. Hopefully the dr office will give me my fill on 1-28, if they wont i will go to another dr!!![/quote']

What type if food is recommended by your doctor at this stage? Being on just liquids concerns me. Liquids won't give you a satisfied feeling. Maybe you should call your doctor and discuss.

I thought about going back on liquids but I didn't want to start the habit of drinking liquids every time something goes wrong. I really want to learn a new way to eat that will last me. Don't get me wrong though! I can't wait until I get my fill on Feb 4th! It is hard! Lol

Tara-u my dr recommends a regular diet at this point. High protein, low calorie. But i cannot do that without some sort of restriction by my babd. If i could, i wouldnt have needed the lap band. I don't want to starve and i won't. So until i get my fill im doing liquid only. If it was safe to do before surgery its safe to do now

This is completely out of concern - please don't think I'm trying to be a know-it-all but I'm not for sure you fully understand how the band works. The band won't stop us from eating. It helps you feel satisfied. It doesn't truly restrict you from eating. If you look around on this forum there's more than one discussion about it. And a few very helpful links to doctors explaining the band. Also many people don't reach the "green zone" until numerous fills or months. You can't stay on liquids that long. Lots if people call this early stage "bandster hell" and it's just something we have to work through all the while eating as our doctors tell us too. Perhaps you should try the suggestions your doctor has given you. And just use will power to work thru this hard time.

Melissa, just to give you something else to think about. Like Tara I am definitely not a know it all and I am suffering just like you are with no restriction. I know if I lose too much weight my dr won't give me a fill when I go back because he will think I am doing good enough with minimal restriction. I would hate for you to go on liquids and lose weight and your dr not give you a fill. Of course the decision is your but just be careful. This process is different for everyBODY but it looks like we are all in the same boat right now. I am not happy with the amount I can eat but I am trying not to overdo it.

Banded Dec 17th, down 29 lbs since surgery day...first fill was this past Wednesday...I've heard so many say that this is just another diet until you reach restriction and that is so true... we must rely on ourselves to stick to our portions...I know it's hard but we can all do it..Stay strong banders!!

Unfortunately, i do know how the band works...i will be a Nurse Practitioner soon. I also know the amount i ate the other night was WAY to much and if i keep doing it i will have to have surgery again soon. I do ok on liquids for some reason. I am pretty confident i can talk my dr into giving me a fill no matter what because i can explain it how i need to. I am not in danger of losing to much i assure u lol

This is completely out of concern - please don't think I'm trying to be a know-it-all but I'm not for sure you fully understand how the band works. The band won't stop us from eating. It helps you feel satisfied. It doesn't truly restrict you from eating. If you look around on this forum there's more than one discussion about it. And a few very helpful links to doctors explaining the band. Also many people don't reach the "green zone" until numerous fills or months. You can't stay on liquids that long. Lots if people call this early stage "bandster hell" and it's just something we have to work through all the while eating as our doctors tell us too. Perhaps you should try the suggestions your doctor has given you. And just use will power to work thru this hard time.

I completely agree, I've followed several people's blogs on YouTube who have had lap band and the majority of them said they went through several fills before they had proper restriction. They said that it was mostly changing their eating habits and exercise. The band just helped with portion control, which is usually the problem when we fall off of the bandwagon. So it really is a tool to help us. Not the entire solution.

Hi I just had lap band surgery 4 days ago is it normal to still have gas and a dull headache?