hi bandsters I recently was told that it is normal to have more of an appitite before your first fill but how do you keep from gaining weight, I am so afraid of going backwards, I was scared that when i had my surgery it wouldn't work on me, anyone else feel that way? Thanks Ginny

Ginny,

For most of us, the first two weeks post op there is swelling, so you dont feel as hungry as you did pre band. There are even some of us that had restriction right from the get go and did not have fills at all. I know of three people who lost more than 60 pounds without ever having one, but this is uncommon.

All of us had to go through it and most of us were sure we would die of starvation! LOL I kinda wished that someone like my docs office would have told me how hungry I would be so soon after surgery. It would have been a relief to know I was normal and I also could have prepared my brain for this.

You will not fail at this unless you are really out to sabotage yourself. Find a banding buddy online having surgery about the same time as you. Or get on this board daily and there will always be someone to help you.

Dont worry, you will do fine. Six weeks til your first fill will go by very fast, believe it or not.

Babs in TX

334/220/180

-114

6/23/03

The determination of whether the band will or will not work for someone is not made in the first few weeks. Patience is difficult to come by, but remember that this whole process is going to take lots of time. If you regain some of the weight you took off on the liquid phase, it doesn't mean you're a failure!!! Please remember that you have the rest of your life to work with the band and let it help you lose weight and maintain that weight loss. This is just a tiny blip on the journey, and will be over before you know it.

Ginny-

I can relate to what you are going through....or at least I did. After surgery I pretty much felt normal, I had an appetite, hunger pains, etc. After a couple of fills you will notice a big difference in you appetite and hunger pains.

I have read so many times that weight loss pre fill stage is gravy! And that's so true. I actually gained weight after my first fill.

I think we all go through the the anxiety of the unknow. Even now I have fears of the surgery not working for me. You are not alone.

Once you start getting your adjustments you will be able to "feel" the band doing it's job!

Promise!

Birdee

Most of us had a hard time before the first fill. It's not quite so bad if you know what to expect. I lost 26 on the liquid phase and gained back 6 pounds in the next 4 weeks. I just used that time before the first fill to practice eating like a bandster. I chewed each bite 30 times, ate protein first then veggies and tried to eat slowly. You'll get through it and wonder what you were worried about.

Thank tou all so much it has been great encouragment. Ginny

hey Ginny

I feel the same way. I am bored so I am been picking around. I just started on my soft foods. I get full but I want to eat more. I wonder if the fill will help.I get my first one on the 31 st of this month. So I know what you are going through.I don't want to look back either.

Joyce

4/28/04 banded Dr.Spiegel