I'm in my third week after surgery and I feel great, but...I am allowed to eat mushie/blended/soft foods now and I feel absolutely no restriction. When my Dr. put my band in it was completely unfilled and my first fill will be July 18th. While I was on my liquid diet I drank all I could. The Dr. said that's okay, but now my portions on the soft foods are getting larger and larger. I have no restriction, no "full felling", no symptoms of "oops I ate too much.." I actually don't feel my band at all. I'm worried that it "slipped" or my pouch is huge, or is all my food just going through the band. Have I ruined my surgery or is it normal not to feel any restriction until my band will be filled?

I don't want to eat so much but after my liquid phase I am just starved...

Please ADVISE me!!!!:help::help::help::hungry::hungry::hungry:

Hello BonJosie,

From my personal experience I also felt no restriction. And that is normal. What you are eating at this time will easily go through your non-filled band and some bandsters never feel their band untill their first fill. If you are concerned I suggest you give your doctor a call to convey your fears and concerns, you paid for it and it is their job to educate you. You are their customer and should never feel bad about asking questions. Before my first fill and when I started on regular food I was able to eat anything, tacos, bread, you name it. I ate slow and tried to chew a lot! Was getting discouraged but after my first fill I started to understand that this will be a process and can take time to find the right fit. Good luck!

321 pre-surgery/301 surgery/286/170

Dr. Pennings, Idaho

Welcome to Bandster Hell. Until you get one or more fills so you have restriction, you are actually living as if you have no band! Don't kick yourself. Most of us have been there. It's totally normal. Take this time to study study study the bandster lifestyle and practice it when you can. You lived with weight a long time. Bandster Hell lasts only a short time.

I also felt absolutely no restriction after surgery. After my 1st fill I had restriction for a few days and then returned to normal. I have now had my 2nd fill and am waiting to see if the restriction stays this time, but as of now I think I slime everytime I eat something. Hang in there, restriction will come with your fills!

My plan was to stick with the 4 - 5 oz. of food while I was in the mushie stage, because I wanted to view the band as an assistant, not as a taskmaster...I forced myself to stick to eating small amounts of food, and only 3 times/day so that I'd be more ready to eat healthy amounts once I did have real restriction. I've had my first fill now, and have some restriction, but if I get hungry in between my meals, I drink Water or soy milk.

For me, the battle is just as much mental as it is physical, so I really focus on eating slowly, mixing Proteins and veggies/fruits, and not eating very much.