Okay, is probably a stupid thing to say but I feel like my lapband just like fell off or something. Hungry ALL the time, I can eat big portions again (well no where near as big as before but still good sized) and I'm still 2 weeks away from my first full. I'm working out like crazy and counting calories like a crazy person and gaining weight back I lost initially. Did my band slip or something??!!

Being hungry 4 weeks post op isnt really uncommon at all. Your swelling from surgery should have subsided and you state youre working out like crazy, so....its normal. I'm sure that isn't what you wanted to hear, but it was a reality for MOST of us banded folks.

Unless your surgeon put in a fill during surgery, some do, some don't, you're in whats referred to as bandster hell. That time when you don't have restriction and its nothing more than a diet.

Do your best to follow your instructions from your surgeon. This is the time when YOU do the work. Keep up your exercise as much as you can.

Hopefully, you have a doctor that will progress your fills and get you to that level of restriction that will provide you some portion control help. Don't get discouraged by the first few weeks if you're not seeing weight loss, it'll happen.

@catfish 87: so, do you think I should just act like I'm on a diet (that I'm starving on) and not be worried that for 3 weeks straight I lost weight (24 pounds to be exact) and this week I gained almost 2 pounds back? Should I just keep pushing through working out and trying to keep my calories low? My dr said until my first fill at week 6 I should try to keep my calories to around 1000, but I'm getting closer to 1200-1500. Should I try to eat less even though I'm already hungry? Thank you so much for your insight

Do I think you should try? Of course! Is it going to be easy...no way! I dare say, 99% of banded folks have felt exactly as you are right now. Hence the name bandster HELL.

Every single thing you do as far as exercise will help. If your doc wants 1000 calories and you feel you youre giving your best effort and are closer to 12-1500, thats your best effort. Thats all anyone can ask of us, our best effort.

Until you get to that restriction level that will help DRASTICALLY, it really is just a diet. You can do it though, one day at a time.

Good to read this. I noticed the further away I get from my surgery (I'm now 11 days post-op) the hungrier I feel. (I had no fill at the time of surgery and won't get one until 6 weeks post-op). In fact, I didn't have any appetite until a couple of days ago. And I knew I'd entered Bandster Hell. My appetite is not at all back to where it was pre-op, but it is not switched off as it was right after surgery.

Just concentrating on sticking to all my post-op directives and walking walking walking...getting out of the house getting my mind to switch off from feeling the beginning of hunger.

@catfish 87: thank you. Thank you. Thank you for encouraging words. I read them over and over. I know I will feel better once I get out of bandster hell (now that I know what this terrible limbo that I'm in is called) and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your support

Im with u in this Banster Hell!! I wont get my first fill till April 17. It is crazy how hungry I have been lately. Kind of discouraging, but with these posts about Bandster Hell, I am at least able to understand what is going on right now! And that is super helpful! Hopeing and praying my first fill will be helpful, but based on what ive been reading throughout the forums, it very well could take several fills to get into the green zone.

Best of Luck to u Della, and know u are not alone!

Im with u in this Banster Hell!! I wont get my first fill till April 17. It is crazy how hungry I have been lately. Kind of discouraging' date=' but with these posts about Bandster Hell, I am at least able to understand what is going on right now! And that is super helpful! Hopeing and praying my first fill will be helpful, but based on what ive been reading throughout the forums, it very well could take several fills to get into the green zone.

Best of Luck to u Della, and know u are not alone! [/quote']

You may be lucky and have a doctor who fills using fluoro. It CAN be a lot faster process getting to restriction. It's just a guess if they don't use it.

Soooo glad I read this thread. I thought I was crazy!! I have been losing weight pretty steadily and am 11 days post banding. I can move to a soft diet on Thursday and a Regular diet the next week. I am exercising and drinking plenty of water, but I am hungry. I feel like I could eat a regular sized portion. Guess I just entered Bander's Hell. Glad to be here, but definitely hope I don't have to stay very long. :0)

You know I'm going through the same thing.. Starting my 3 week post op on Thursday and am able to eat regularly abt 800-1000 a day and working out. I lost 28.. 18 post op and the other 10 after surgery.. Then gained 4 back.. It's bc your able to eat now, with no restriction in the band.. I felt like my bad had slipped too bc I was able to eat again. My dr said that bc I have no fill and the swelling has gone down that I will be able to eat again not quite as much as before but still quite a bit.. I went for low cal/ sugar free stuff and snack all day.. Sugar free banana pudding.. Grapes.. Scrambled eggs.. Salad wraps and then a reasonable dinner. I'm onto solid foods now but I find that the mushys like jello and pudding are low cal and filling so I still use them as a snack.. Hate to say it but we are in bands yet HELL.. 1st fill April 20th and I hope that helps.. I like the scale to go down, not up lol

^^ I meant 18 pre op and then other 10 afterwards lol

Wish me luck guys, going for my first fill today

Good luck, della8301!! You'll do great!!!