I had my lap band put on 2/5/07. I lost some initial weight primarily due to the liquid diet stages before surgery and right after surgery. I'm in week 4 and can pretty much eat anything I did before, I also have no restriction. I have not been losing anything. I'm wondering if others are experiencing this or if it's normal? Or do most people not start losing until they get their first fills? Because I'm basically hungry and feel I could eat my old portion sizes. I'm trying my hardest to eat healthy and cut back, but if I gotta do this on will power alone I'm feeling like maybe this band in useless. Thanks for any input or personal experiences you can share.

Hi,

I am new to this group and I had surgery on 01/31/07. I feel the same way. I can eat anything I want but I am being really good. I have lost 20 pds before & after surgery. I should be happy but not happy. I have been working out 5-6 days a wk and getting in over 80 grams of Protein a day.

I can't have my forst fill until May 1. That sucks. My insurance won't allow before 3 months.

I know I have lost inches but lets face it that the # on the scale is what would do it for me.

Jayne from NJ

Don't fret, you are perfectly normal! Most of us had the same experience! In fact it is so common, it is referred to around here, as "Bandster Hell". It is that time period when you have a healthy band in place, and no restriction to help....it usually begins when you are still on liquids only, and will continue to be as difficult as former dieting was until you can get some fill. Now that you CAN eat food (and that is an excellent sign) choosing Protein packed food will help with the hunger, as will getting in plenty of fluids, just not while you eat. Avoiding the carbs and sweets right now would be helpful, mainly because the more of them you eat, the more your body craves them. The protein will keep you full longer, and is released into your system in a manner than keeps blood sugars regulated better. The high and low spikes of blood sugar works in conjunction with cravings---and hunger.

I said earlier it is a good sign that you can eat normal food, because that is usually one of the requirements for getting your first fill. So now when your healing is far enough along to satisfy your Dr. you should have no trouble getting the fill. When you do get it, be sure to follow the Dr.s plan for returning to normal eating.

It is very normal at this point to wonder why in the world you got this stupid band, it isn't doing anything!!! And you are right, it isn't currently doing anything to help you lose weight. What it IS doing is settling in to a good position. When you get your first fill you still may not feel big differences. A lot depends on how aggressive your Dr. is on first fills. I had to slow down after my first, and it was 1.25cc. in a 4 cc. band. A month later I went for my 2nd fill which was just a half a cc---but I got excellent restriction from then on, I have not had an adjustment now in over 7 months---it changes completely then!!!

I can truly say to you I have not felt hunger in over 7 months. It is so much easier to make wise food choices when you aren't starving. When you are full in a matter of a few bites...and you don't feel a need to run to the fridge 5 minutes after leaving the dinner table!

Hang in there---you ARE normal---but you will get through it, and when you begin the fill process, your band will step up and help!!!

When it gets tough, log on---we will try to help!

Kat

Hi,

I am new to this group and I had surgery on 01/31/07. I feel the same way. I can eat anything I want but I am being really good. I have lost 20 pds before & after surgery. I should be happy but not happy. I have been working out 5-6 days a wk and getting in over 80 grams of Protein a day.

I can't have my forst fill until May 1. That sucks. My insurance won't allow before 3 months.

I know I have lost inches but lets face it that the # on the scale is what would do it for me.

Jayne from NJ

Heck, I'd scramble the money and get the fill myself!!! No way I'd be hungry until MAY if there was any way around it.

It seems really common for people to get hungry by the 4th week and not have much if any restriction. At least, according to what I've been reading it's common. I was at a support group last night. A lady was there that was 5 weeks out and has gained a little and is very hungry. She is really frustrated too...but gets a fill next week, so she's hanging in there.

Good luck

Thanks Jayne! I feel you. I know I've lost some inches because my pansta nd bras are loose, or more so than they used to be. But the scale is not being my friend like I thought it would. Maybe I expected things to change to soon. I know some people say the 1st 6 weeks you don't lose much, if anything. I'm just hoping my first fill, which is 3/8/07, will do something to help me out. I also bought a exercise bike and plan on starting to do that 30 minutes a day so I hope that and some restriction gets to to a swimsuit ready body. I have a goal of being at 200 by August so I have 50 pounds to go and I hope I get there!

Thanks, Kat817...your post is exactly what I needed when I logged on this morning! I like the term, Bandster Hell...and it's good to know we're not alone!

Keep it up, love!

I lost 20 lbs. the first 2 1/2 weeks or so and nothing since then. Had one fill last week and still have NO restriction and can eat anything. I am going again tomorrow for another fill - hopefully that will work. It is frustrating but I know in the long run it was worth getting the band and it just takes a while to find the right fill to get things going. Good luck all with your weight loss!

Hi,

I am new to this group and I had surgery on 01/31/07. I feel the same way. I can eat anything I want but I am being really good. I have lost 20 pds before & after surgery. I should be happy but not happy. I have been working out 5-6 days a wk and getting in over 80 grams of Protein a day.

I can't have my forst fill until May 1. That sucks. My insurance won't allow before 3 months.

I know I have lost inches but lets face it that the # on the scale is what would do it for me.

Jayne from NJ

Fills aren't very expensive, are they? Can you pay for one yourself? I'm all self pay - I guess I'm glad since I don't have "wait" requirements.

My doctor gives free fills for first year and if you lose half you goal weight then another year free (Self Pay Patients). I think most dr.'s charge about $100 for a fill.

My doctor gives free fills for first year and if you lose half you goal weight then another year free (Self Pay Patients). I think most dr.'s charge about $100 for a fill.

Heck, I think I'd probably save $100 in food if I got my first fill at 6 weeks instead of 3 months

Thanks for the info.

I was banded 2/02/07 and lost around 22 lbs the first three weeks (2 wk pre-opt and 1 week post. I haven't lost much since. I bounce back an forth between 19 and 22 lbs lost. I read a lot on here and I knew that was to be expected, but I can't wait to start getting fills. My first fill is Monday 3/5. I hope it helps! I'm not frustrated just ready to start loosing again.... Keep your head up and We'll look back to this date and realize it was just the beginning.

A lot of people will lose during the liquid/mushy stage, but once solid food comes back into the picture, it is normal to gain some weight back, if not all.

I went to a support meeting and the lady asked the doctor this very thing, he said it is perfectly normal to gain. The weight loss really doesn't start until you have some restriction. IN the mean time, you have to survive off will power. Make healthy food choices. Do your best until you can have a fill.

Good-luck!

I just had my first fill and am not that restricted. I have lost about 7 lbs total since the surgery, including the pre-op. I gained 3lbs back before my fill.

I am so thankful for this site because you can find out so much from everyone's experiences. Sunshine, you are doing great! YAY you!

I know that it may take a couple more fills before I am at my sweet spot, but I am focusing on learning the bandster rules during this time. I have a little restriction, which does help me to eat slower, take smaller bites, etc.

I know we are on a journey and we have a lot to learn. I for one am thankful that I am not snarfing my food anymore, even if I haven't lost a ton of weight. I used to be embarrassed about how fast I eat and now I feel okay about it.

Good luck to all of us as we learn about our bands and work our way toward restriction!

Hi there.

I got banded 2/8. Not filled yet, on regular foods now. Haven't gained anything back yet.

I have to say I am scared to get a fill. I don't want things to get stuck. I do notice I eat half or even less than that of what I used to with just having the band there.

Can anyone tell me what did having the fill do for you over not having the fill w/little restriction? I mean, do you really just not feel hungry? For me, I have a lot of head hunger so I wonder if not being hungry matters in my situation. I am just really wondering did any of you have a lot of head hunger and not physical hunger and then after the fill did that head hunger go away?

It sounds like you have some restriction now, some people do---some have even made it to goal weight with just the restriction of the band alone---no fills ever!!! It does provide some, it just depends on how your individual body is made on the inside. I would say go as long as you can without a fill, if you feel restriction now, do not take a chance at getting too tight, that can cause so many problems!

A fill will do absolutely nothing for the head hunger---that you have to fight, and find a new way to deal with. Personally it is when I go walking, or hit the eliptical. It eventually lessens, as you break the habit of eating at will.

Unless your stomach feels empty and growling---I would hang on---get as much mileage out of each stage as you can!!!

Kat

Hey kat.

Thanks for the advice. I am going to do what you say. Wait for the fill until I am not losing.

My stomach has rarely felt empty or growling. So, if I pay attention to my PHYSICAL hunger, I would say I have not really been hungry very much since banding. Paying attention to if I am really hungry and learning to overcome the head hunger is my personal challenge. I think I can do it.

It is wierd that after being banded I am no longer a mindless eater. I am actually thinking about how many calories are in everything, how much I am eating. I just need to learn that I need to STOP when my stomach is NOT HUNGRY anymore. I find that as I am eating, even though I can tell I am not really hungry, I feel the urge to keep eating because I like it. That is what got me into the weight problem. At least I am not pushing the limit and even though I WANT to keep eating, I stop. I believe that is from the band. Usually after about 5 minutes, the urge to keep eating goes away.

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!!