So I'm in my third week post op and I am hungry. I'm finding that not only do I feel tons better, but I now have my appetite back. I asked if I could get banded now and they told me no. To allow my stomach and incisions time to heal first. I'm eating a little more now. I'm extremely frustrated at this point. Any advice :-(

Hi Tiki, it sounds like you have had your band installed and now you're waiting to start getting fills? Congratulations on all. Very exciting times. The return of appetite can be frustrating but it's a good thing to get to know hunger again, to read your body's signals. What stage are you on for foods -- mushies, real food well-chewed, etc.? This is a good time to practice mindful eating in small portions. Once you have your followup and assess with your surgeon for a fill your appetite will begin to dim. It can be a process to get to the green zone and at each step we learn more about paying attention so we don't get stuck later. Try to choose good foods and chew very well, go slow, listen for the signal of fullness and learn to stop then.

Jim is one of the forum members/contributors here and he pointed out some of my posts from back in early 2012 where I was complaining about hunger and how I wanted this rocket to launch and I wanted it now!

This is where you are. You probably believed you'd be banded and the journey begins? Well, this is part of your journey and it's the sucky part. What I did at this stage(besides bitching and moaning) was to eat healthy foods. My band did help me start to eat less. I noticed right away that once I moved to solid food I could no longer eat that 16 oz chunk of salmon or polish off that 4th chicken enchilada.

Once I realized and accepted the fact that I wouldn't find satiety till I got one or more fills, I decided I wasn't going to diet. I'd already done that. But, to keep from being hungry, I was going to eat good, nutritious and healthy foods till I was satisfied. I didn't lose or gain any weight from my 2nd week post op till my 3rd fill. Then I started losing fat. This was my journey, yours will be up to you?

Edited June 6, 201412 yr by 2muchfun

@@tiki luv banded i'm right there with you, just about a week ahead. i can stay pretty full from my Breakfast, because my band is still pretty tight in the morning, i can eat real food though. after lunch is when the hunger hits me, i eat my small meals, but only stay full for an hour or two. i've learned to pack some Protein packed Snacks at work so i'm not gnawing off my arm. i've also been chewing on gum when i feel the hunger peek up, and that, plus some Water, can sometimes hold me over.

i have put myself on a low carb diet for now, only because my doctor stresses protein first, then veggies, and if theres room for starches, then have some, but i really havent had room.

i got lucky and my NP had a spot open for a fill that would put me at 5 weeks post-op, versus the normal 6 weeks post-op most people have to deal with.

Hang in there, I find most of the time its head hunger that is what I'm really feeling. I'm less hungry on the weekends when I'm out and about, because I'm not sitting there thinking about it.

If you need someone to talk to, I'm here!

Edited June 6, 201412 yr by betty_s

Awesome advice!! You all are amazing! Thank you so much!!!

@@tiki luv banded i'm right there with you, just about a week ahead. i can stay pretty full from my breakfast, because my band is still pretty tight in the morning, i can eat real food though. after lunch is when the hunger hits me, i eat my small meals, but only stay full for an hour or two. i've learned to pack some protein packed snacks at work so i'm not gnawing off my arm. i've also been chewing on gum when i feel the hunger peek up, and that, plus some water, can sometimes hold me over. i have put myself on a low carb diet for now, only because my doctor stresses protein first, then veggies, and if theres room for starches, then have some, but i really havent had room. i got lucky and my NP had a spot open for a fill that would put me at 5 weeks post-op, versus the normal 6 weeks post-op most people have to deal with. Hang in there, I find most of the time its head hunger that is what I'm really feeling. I'm less hungry on the weekends when I'm out and about, because I'm not sitting there thinking about it. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here!

Hi Betty! I will definitely follow your progress. How much have you lost so far?