Hi,

I was banded on Friday the 13th, and although I am not superstious I've got to wonder. I am on mushies now and will start on solids on August 11th, but from the beginning I have been hungry. I definetly can eat more that the amount suggested and I believe I could eat solid food with no problem (although I don't), I can drink as much liquid as I want at one time. I feel very disapointed, to have paid $17,000 and not feel any different. I will have my first fill August 27th and I am praying that will make a difference.

I'm hoping that others have had the same experience and can tell me that this did work for them!! Any advice or hope for the future would be greatly apreicated.:help:

This it totally normal! You haven't had a fill yet, so you are wide open almost like before getting banded. Once you start getting fills, you will see a difference. This time is for healing only, that's why the liquids. Some people lose weight during this time, others gain or stay the same. Just let yourself heal up properly, it's the most important thing.

Throw those superstitions out the window! And welcome to Bandster Hell!

When you are first banded you have NO restriction. Although some people do feel a little bit, it is usually from the swelling due to surgery. If you are like me and recover well from surgery then you will definitely feel hungry because you are taking in very little food at this point - however....it is very important to follow your post op diet because it is allowing your stomach to heal and adhesions to form to keep your band in place and avoid slippage down the line.

Drink as much Water as you can to help fill you up and add lots of Protein Powder to your mushies - that will help to keep you feeling full.

I had my first fill 6 weeks after surgery and although I had some restriction, it was not enough - most people need 3-4 fills and I have had 3 so far and feel pretty good. I am losing the requisite 1-2 lbs per week. Not speedy, but safe and those pounds are gone forever.

Remeber that the band is a tool (imagine a $17K tool on the shelf in home depot)! It is not a magic cure and you still have to work it.

Hang in there - it WILL get better.

Oh believe me you'll notice a big difference when you get filled! I went for my first fill last week, after 6 weeks, before I went in for my fill I could eat just about everything. Got home and the next day I got a blockage from not eating slowly enough and chewing enough! It was horrible and I nearly ended up in ER! I went for a defill the next day and I'm now ok. Good luck with your band! The first 6 weeks are for healing!