I am sooo frustrated. My hubby and I were banded at the same time (4 weeks ago) and he is feeling very restricted and unable to eat much at all. I, however, am hungry all the time and able to eat large amounts without feeling full. I am aware of the band...unable to eat things like white bread or potatoes, but other things are no problem and I have to eat nearly as much as before banding to feel satisfied and then I am hungry again soon after. I am so afraid that my band slipped or something. I lost 11 lbs the first week or two and now I am losing nothing, which doesn't surprise me due to the amount of food I am able to eat. Did anyone else have this problem or should I be worried? I just feel like I am failing again.

You're not failing!!! I dont think that you have a slipped band or anything like that. I started getting hungry like that at 3 1/2 wks out, and was able to eat a lot of food, and after I ate I would easily be hungry again. I ate almost as much as I did before the banding. You may just need to be filled. I only lost 12lbs between my pre-op liquid diet and my 5 wk post op appt, I am a very slow loser. Since that fill I ate less, felt full/restricted most of the time, and started to lose weight again. I am due for a fill on Monday, and am starting to experience it again. You may want to call your surgeons office to see what they want to do.

But dont worry, what you are going through is completely normal, everyone reaches this point at different times if at ever.

Hope this helps... : )

The hunger is completely normal! It just means your swelling has gone down. Hopefully your doc's office allows you to get a fill at 6 weeks?

Do your best to focus on Protein & veggies, and to stay away from the bread, Pasta, rice, etc as it will make you more hungry. I know, easier said than done!

A fill (well, probably more than one) will make all the difference.

Hi -

It's actually a relief to read your posts about this subject, since I'm having the same experience. I had surgery May 24, and about 3 weeks after surgery, started being able to eat quite a bit without feeling full. Had my first fill (1 cc) at 4 weeks, a little early, because I was getting ready to leave on 2 weeks vacation, and my doc was then going to be gone for 5 weeks, and I was afraid that if I waited until he got back, I'd have regained the 12 lbs or so that I'd lost since being banded.

After the fill, I felt a bit of restriction, such that I lost 2 or 3 more pounds while on vacation, but now have regained those. Will be getting my next fill on May 31.

It is indeed nervewracking! I too wondered if the band had slipped or busted or has a leak. Trying to be patient, remembering what I've read that for some people it takes 2 or 3 fills to get adequate restriction. Just so looking forward to only being able to eat small amounts, so there's not the worry about gaining weight, and hey, getting to lose a bunch of weight!

Patience, patience...

BTW, this is my first post here, so hello! I'm so glad to have found this group. My doc's office has an on-line support group, but most of his patients have the RNY bypass, so they're losing 50 lbs in the first two months, and have a different set of concerns and worries. I needed to find more lapbanders!

So thanks to you all for being here and sharing,

Julie T.

And here's the stats:

Dr Felix, Fresno, CA

5/24/06

224/207 or so/135?

You are in BANDSTER H*LL!!!!!!!!!!

That period of time after surgery swelling is gone but before you have good restriction from fills.

This too shall pass in time.

Enjoy eating what you can now because it will probably change with each fill.

M

The same thing happened to me at about 4 or 5 weeks from surgery. I was sure something was wrong with my band. But I finally went for my first fill this week (Took forever to get an appt!) and the band was fine. She gave me a 3 cc fill in a 11 cc band and I have a little restriction, though still feel like I could eat a lot if I wanted to. It IS helping me stay full longer, though, so I am hopeful. I have set my goals high (er, LOW) and I really want to make it!

Good luck!!! Hope Bandster Hell is over for you quickly!

Firstly, don't compare yourself to your husband. He IS going to lose faster than you. Secondly, your band is unfilled so what you're experiencing is perfectly normal. I had to wait 8 weeks for a first fill. Call your surgeon and schedule a fill. Remember, it can take 2-3 fills before you get proper restriction so be patient.

You need a fill. My doctor gives fills 4 weeks after surgery. When you get a fill you have more restriction and the hunger isn't as intense. I would call your doctor to see if it is time for you to have a fill. You will feel far more in control. I had my first fill on Monday and have completely turned a corner. Good luck.

It looks like a lot of us on this post got banded pretty close to each other. I am going thru the hunger thing too and eating whatever I want with no restriction and I have had a .4cc fill and a .6cc fill, but a 1cc fill in a 4cc band is not enough restriction for me. I have an appointment on 7/31/06 for another fill and like everyone says on the board, have patience. I'm trying to be too, but anxious to start losing the weight. I am curious to know the secrets of some of the people that are really losing the weight since being banded. I drink the water and eat lots of protein and the remax protein drink from the doctor's office, vegies and some fruit. Good Luck!!!!

Hi

I am worried too. :faint: I two weeks post op and i found that the puree stage does not fill me. I have been eatting a normal portion of cottage pie I have mixed it well with gravy but I worried the same. :hungry: I thought the restriction from the op would last longer. I know I am a quick healer but my fill isn't due for another 4 weeks erk what to do:help:

LANA;)

I'm disappointed that the band has not kept me from feeling hungry. Despite two fills and several PB events that occurred when I ate too fast or took too large bites, I STILL get very hungry, especially late at night (when I used to indulge). I feel that the only thing preventing me from eating more is my own will power. So far I have been able to exercise control over portion sizes, but it's hard to deal with the hunger.

bluehill....you and I are twins.....have the VG band, about the same age, weighed the same at surgery, weigh the same now - except it's taken me a month longer than you! I'm just now getting to where I can do much exercising, though, so maybe that'll speed me up a bit.

I haven't had any hunger issues or cravings at all. I attribute it to two things......the protein I'm doing....good quality supplements along with dense high protein food..... and keeping my carb count low. Eating empty carbs creates a craving for more carbs and makes it hard to stay away from them.

Best wishes.......

Oh, thank God for you guys!!! I have been so worried and feeling like such a failure and it helps so much to know that I am not the only one and that this will likely be better after a fill. Thank you all for your support....I dont know what I would do without this site.

Firstly, don't compare yourself to your husband. He IS going to lose faster than you. Secondly, your band is unfilled so what you're experiencing is perfectly normal. I had to wait 8 weeks for a first fill. Call your surgeon and schedule a fill. Remember, it can take 2-3 fills before you get proper restriction so be patient.

I didn't even wait a week to begin being really hungry. The first few days were great and today the hunger just kicked in. I have to admit I ate (and it wasn't on my menu, but it wasn't bread or anything like that) and I'm very full without finishing all of it, but I was worried I could eat regular food without feeling the band. I don't have a fill for 5 weeks. I sure hope I don't gain everything back by then. I was really super hungry which I haden't been for about 4 days...and then boom....today it just kicked in. My first fill is the end of August and I surely hope it makes a difference. My dr. believes in being non-aggressive, but I hope some of my problem is resolved. Thanks.

I was banded May 30, 2006. I can relate so much to what everyone is saying. I had my first fill 2 weeks ago but have not noticed much difference. I may not be as hungery as I was following the surgery. I am really looking forward to my next fill. I know restriction will come!!

I will be banded 4 week tomorrow. No fill as of right now. Yesterday I just couldn't seem to get full. I ate soft foods but I know way to much. Then it hit me I felt horrible. I was to full and I stayed that way for most of the night I was very uncomfortable.