i am 2 weeks post op and i dont know if the swelling has just went down in my stomach or if my band fell off but i dont feel any restriction is this normal? seems like i can eat more will this change after my first fill? i dont know what to expect after the swelling is gone

Welcome to LBT, tammydam! Congrats on having your band.

I'm sorry this wasn't reviewed with you by your surgeon's office and/or your nutritionist. It should have been.

You will likely not feel restriction after the swelling goes down. This is the period referred to so lovingly as Bandster Hell. You have no restriction and you are on mushies or soft foods and want to eat and eat and eat. Be forewarned that the first fill will likely not get you to your "sweet spot" either, most folks say it takes two or three (sometimes more) filld before you get good restriction.

You can make it!!!

i am 2 weeks post op and i dont know if the swelling has just went down in my stomach or if my band fell off but i dont feel any restriction is this normal? seems like i can eat more will this change after my first fill? i dont know what to expect after the swelling is gone

No worries, your band didn't fall off.

Remember, your band is empty right now, there is no saline in it. Working with an empty band is like driving a car with a flat tire. You won't get very far. This is a time for healing and healing comes before weight loss.

Stick to your post-op diet, don't cheat, and hang in there!

I agree with the above. You will get restriction and feel it after a fill or 2. Right now your band is empty. It is still there!

How can there not be restriction? Even unfilled, the band has essentially created a small stomach pouch with a narrow opening (into the larger stomach) that is about 1 3/4ths inch in diameter.

I keep reading this here (that there is no restriction) but my surgeon told me that there is some restriction and that I will not feel as hungry as usual, partly b/c the band puts pressure on the sensors that cause hunger. He also said many of his patients lose 15 lbs or so between surgery and 1st fill (and this particular clinic does not do the clear liquid diet - you go straight to mushies from the hospital bed, after they know for sure that you are OK. Hey, maybe THAT is why there is not much hunger....). I have to say, I think he was right as far as the hunger goes. I have some appetite, but not much, and it is taken care of with very little food (lol).

I hope this continues.

I am glad to here that someone else is experiencing the same thing....I too was worried that my band had slipped or something because I had surgery on 3/29 and I don't seem to have any restriction. I am really trying to follow the food stages...but I have not been drinking the protein...it gives me horrible gas and it tastes terrible.

So how long normally, does it take to get 1st fill after banding.

So how long normally, does it take to get 1st fill after banding.

4-6 weeks after banding. Many docs will not do fills until 6-8 weeks.

I was banded on 3/21/07 and my first fill is scheduled for 5/1/07. I am eating normal foods now. I don't get hungry. When I do eat, I have to take it slow, if not , I feel like I am choking. Quite uncomfortable but not unbearable. I am down 10 lbs so far.

I found a very good protein drink ( at least the chocolate) is, have not tried any others yet. It is called Micell Edge. There are quite a few people at my job that really like it as well. This is only my 2nd day on the shakes but so far so good.:biggrin1: