I feel relatively recovered. I am so hungry. Am supposed to be on pureed foods this week. Had a jar of baby food and an egg in the last 12 hours with no problem. The issue is that I am so hungry I feel I could eat anything. I know that I am only supposed to concentrate on healing this month but I am also concerned with calories. I have lost 13 pounds in one week but feel it could go for nothing if I let myself eat the amount of even pureed foods that I want.

Is this bandster"s hell? Help!

Hi Enuf!

Totally normal! Not a lot of us were told about this "bandster hell"....but it's very real for many. It was for me. The swelling from surgery subsides, and you feel no different than before banding. Exactly how it was for me too. Rest assured, after you start getting adjusments, the band works. Until then, its just willpower that will get you through this phase. Hang tough and do your best to limit your portion sizes. And try not to test the types of food you can eat. Stick to your surgeons choices and allow yourself to fully recover from surgery. There'll be happy days ahead! Best wishes!

I agree with catfish87 enuf!!! I felt that way as well...but stuck to the program. I haven't felt any "restrictions" yet either and I have 3 cc's in my band...but it's different for everyone as these kind folks keep reminding me. I do know that my doctor...said to drink protein shakes once or twice a day and that seemed to help me out a lot...not sure if you are already doing that. you are in bandster hell right now so they say...but just keep focused...get up and move around more if you can or do something that can take your mind off of food. I so loved reading all the posts on here...kept me busy...LOLRH!!! you are doing great and I'm so proud of you!!! maybe some mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes might also take the edge off...just a suggestion...they helped me too. let me know how you are doing okay...was so good to see your post on here today!!!

you need to follow your doctors advice/instructions on food intake at this time.the first month is to heal.....healing the insides is much more important than a food-gasm...anyhow, sip and sip and keep on sipping and stay busy..go walking, take a hot bath, get a manicure, make out on the couch, read....you only think you are hungry due to boredom perhaps?? or even just hungry.....please let yourself heal and stay off the scale.....hang in there.

My surgeon's protocol is 6 weeks full liquids post-op. The hunger returning without help from the band is very hard, BUT.... My hunger went away when I did the following. No snacking. Three liquid meals period. Snacking wakes up my hunger. Even a glass of buttermilk in the evening throws me off. Stick to the liquids your doc wants you to have only. Protein first. Let it sit at least 30-45 minutes before sipping Water again. It helps keep you satisfied longer. I've also done better with a routine. One Protein shake for Breakfast, either a protein shake or Soup for lunch, and soup for dinner. This is definitely a willpower test, at least at first. But once your body adjusts, the hunger adjusts as well. I'm staying between 800-850 liquid calories a day and exercising, walking two miles per day. My hunger isn't bad right now, but boy, oh boy, am I looking forward to my first solid food on April 24. I may just throw a party.

Thanks for the tips fellow bandits! Since I posted I had 2 large glasses of tomato juice and 2 pulverized hard boiled eggs. (Just noticed that my surgeon states no vegetable juices yet...) I am still fantasiging food but maybe you are right about keeping busy. I am bored and lying watching tv since i took the week off work The canadian spring (which hasn't materialized) has kept me housebound. -8 today. So I will sit and read all of the posts here to keep my mind occupied. How encouraging to have people who have been there help me out! Here's hoping!

So eat something with more substance. I was approved for solids 1 week after surgery so it can't be all that bad. IMO starving yourself is worse!

drink more water or better yet some chamomile tea