Hi everyone,

I was banded on August 3rd, 2007 and as of the last time I checked I was down 22 lbs. I have a lot to go. However I am feeling well and eatings regular foods. I do chew like crazy though.

My fear is, that since I stopped full liquids I find I am not getting full very quickly. I don't feel like I am overeating but I think I shouldn't be able to eat as much as I am eating. My Doctor warned me that during the pureed/mushy/regular food stage I may feel hungrier and may even gain a few pounds before my first fill. Has anyone else heard this.

I'm eating fruit w/ skins, meats, a very small amount of bread (all thoroughly chewed) with no problems. I am eating much smaller amounts though and no sweets except a fudgsicle at night.

How much should I be able to eat at a sitting before my first fill. When I showed my friend what I ate for Breakfast she said I shouldn't be able to eat that much and I better go for a fill. She had a gastric bypass.

So, I'm confused and a little frightened. maybe my Doctor didn't put the band in...just kidding...but still worried.

Here's what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast

2 eggs (1 yolk)

1 slice cheddar cheese

1 potato latke

lunch

1 leg and thigh Tandoori chicken

dinner (my husbands birthday party)

1 buffalo burger (patty only) w/ ketchup and pickle

a couple bites of a a hot dog (no roll)

I licked some icing w/ my finger

2 pieces of grilled tofu

snack

1 fudgesicle

Doesn't that seem like a lot of food to be able to eat for someone w/ a lapband?

Thanks for your responses I need help..I think my head is my biggest problem but I'm not sure.

Ellen

If I have red this right, youhave not had a fill yet. It is not unusual to have little or no restriction before you are filled. It can often take 3 or 4 fills to get good restriction. At this point, many peoplr have said that they could eat as much as they did before they were banded. That i why your Dr. said you may gain weight before your fill.

You're doing great. Just hang in there until your next fill and things will work themselves out. Don't let someone tell you that you're eating too much. The only people who can give you that advice is yourself and your doctor! Especially if you're eating good foods as it seems you are.

I've had experiences with some bypass patient's opinions too but they are two completely different surgeries and you won't want to get into a habit of trying to compare yourself to her.

Have you following your doc's post op diet? Were you supposed to start solids that soon?

Like the others have said, you have not had a fill and so have little to no restirction. Don't worry yet, just stay healthy and wait for your fill to happen.

Congrats too by the way!

thank you everyone for your responses. I feel better now. But did anyone else have this same experiences?

Ellen

thank you everyone for your responses. I feel better now. But did anyone else have this same experiences?

Ellen

Well, yes... that's why we know the answers. If we didn't experience the same thing none of us would have gotten fills.

It sounds like your diet is perfect. You should be able to eat at least a cup of food without a fill. Once you start getting fills that will reduce. Good luck.

thank you everyone for your responses. I feel better now. But did anyone else have this same experiences?

Ellen

Hi Ellen, I am Lisa, and yes I am having the same problem. I was banded at TLBC in Toronto on AUgust 9th. I am just starting to eat solid foods, and like you, I did not expect to be able to eat as much as I am. I have my first fill on Sept 17. So for now, I am taking everyone else's advise and really watching what I eat.

When is your first fill? Check back in with us and let us know how you feel after. I'll do the same and we can compare notes.

Lisa

Thanks Jack! What you say makes so much sense. See....this is why it's good to post, when another prospective is sometimes all we need to get us back on track! Thanks again for the info and the encouragement!

Best Regards,

Lisa

Hi Ellen, I am Lisa, and yes I am having the same problem. I was banded at TLBC in Toronto on AUgust 9th. I am just starting to eat solid foods, and like you, I did not expect to be able to eat as much as I am. I have my first fill on Sept 17. So for now, I am taking everyone else's advise and really watching what I eat.

When is your first fill? Check back in with us and let us know how you feel after. I'll do the same and we can compare notes.

Lisa

Hi lisa,

I just read your message. I got my first fill (5cc's ina 10cc band) about 1.5 weeks ago and am not feeling very restricted still. I just read what Jack wrote too and it makes me feel better. I am experiencing changes but they're not as drastic as I want them to be and I would love to stop eating when I feel "satisfied" but as of yet I have a hard time w/ that, always have. I don't weigh myself so I don't know what's going on w/ that, but I still need to add exercise and have not been willing yet. So that's my story. How did your fill go?

Ellen

i just wanna ask after a fill for a while 3-4 months i return to eat more than after the fill directly. is that okay or what ?

Sounds like you need another fill. As you lose weight you lose fat around the band and it loosens. So if you get another fill you should be good to go again.