Hi,

I am 15 days out. Surgery was Oct. 11.

I feel like I have no restriction. I feel like I could eat a horse (well, not a horse-but you know what I mean)

The only thing I can feel different is that I seem to get a touch of heartburn each time I eat.

I want restriction dangit! My first fill isn't until November 26.

Ok, if anyone else is in bandster &$$#, please respond. Misery loves company....

It's been 23 days since my surgery and still not hungry yet. It took quite awhile for the "fist" in my chest to go away, but when I eat more then 1/2 cup I start to cough and get a sl runny nose. I don't like that feeling at all and it is my signal that I have eaten too fast and/or I'm done. (how can you eat 1/2 cup of food slow?) I am worried that I am not getting enough calories. I feel like I am losing too fast.

I dont know either how you can eat 1/2 cup of food slow but I do know that I wish I was losing something! I am eating less calories than I did in the preop and I am not losing...it seems so strange...Like a bad joke. The doc asked me if I was eating too many creamed soups...I am not! When I count the calories, I never go over 1000. That number is hard to hit unless I eat out that is. HELP!! Hopefully they will reschedule my first fill for sooner, I wouldnt want to keep gaining

Is this what I have to liik foward too. Come on guys how can I be motivated by posts like this. I I was banded 3 days ago. I try and stay ful on water and zero calorie liquids. Come on .... mashed potatoes? What kind of diet is that? I would beg to suggest more exercise if the wait is not coming off fast enough. I have only lost eight pounds but I lost those in the gym before surgery. There is know way you can burn off colories exercising and NOT lose weight. Sorry I am a jerk, honesty is all I have left to lose.:faint:

Yeah I was really disappointed myself. I got banded on the 16th and I have lost only 10 pounds but have gained 2 of those back since moving into my mushy stage. I am not very happy at all but I've decided to relax and take it one day at a time. I will start walking again from tomorrow. Hopefully that helps. God please help me lose this weight! I am doing my best :help:

I was banded on October 16th and I am right in there with you on the hunger thing.... I got too weak on the liquids and started on the mushies after only one week and I am now eating solids very carefully... I know that it is way too early for the solids, but I just couldn't go on doing the liquids... I went to my Dr for a check up last Thursday and I have lost 4 pounds since surgery, so I guess I am doing ok, but I have to admit that I am pretty hungry and eating more than I should..... I refuse to step on the scale, cause I'm afraid that I may be gaining and I don't want to go in for my first fill until after Thanksgiving, so I can have a nice dinner....

Like others replying to this thread I am also newly banded (10.10.07). I keep on reminding myself that this first month is the time for me to focus on healing as well as doing whatever I can to help my lapband adjust to my body. This is so much easier said than done though!!

When eating I practise mindfulness (raising my awareness of the taste texture, smell etc of the food) rather than wolfing down food mindlessly which is what I used to do in the past.

I also make myself chew each mouthful 30 times - if I lose count I start counting from the start. My food is well and truly liquid by the time I swallow.

I stop eating before I feel full and give myself permission to eat more in half an hour if I am still hungry. I rarely go back for more food before my next main meal.

Distraction is the other thing that works really well for me - if I feel hungry I say that I will have something to eat in half an hour if I am still hungry and then I start doing something else. and again, I rarely remember that I was feeling hunger after 30 minutes have passed.

Giving myself permission to eat later on if still hungry seems to take away the pressure that I put myself under if I give myself restrictions and then eat more that I said I would.

I with you! I was banded on 10/12, a little over two weeks ago. I have been hungry and eating too much at each meal. (head hunger/boredom)I have been feeling like a failure. I've lost 12 and gained 2. Went out to eat with friends this past week, sipped on soup. They noticed I didn't eat bread sticks and salad. I just said I'm trying to be good...they don't know I've been banded. Went to a family reunion yesterday...ate a couple of bites of soft cassaroles and TWO pieces of pie.:faint:I'm calling the doctor's office to see if I can get a fill soon. I was glad to hear that this seems to be normal for the banding time line. (not really "glad") I've spent too much money for this not to work and for "me" not to "work".

mss.... I truly admire your approach to self disipline and I like that you give yourself permission to have more in 30 minutes, therefore taking away the guilt of eating too much.. That way you are working with your psycological head hunger rather than fighting against it...

Thank you very much for posting your approach... I am going to try it for myself....

I guess it is ok to be a jerk every now and again, but I didnt mention that I AM excercising! I am following my doc's guidelines to excercise in my stage. I am NOT gaining, but I am not losing either. I started a different approach to eating today. I am literally placing my food in a 1/2 cup measuring cup and only eating that. If I am hungry 30 minutes to an hour later, I will eat something then. So far it is working. Maybe if I can continue in this manner I will see some results! :whoo:

Is this what I have to liik foward too. Come on guys how can I be motivated by posts like this. I I was banded 3 days ago. I try and stay ful on water and zero calorie liquids. Come on .... mashed potatoes? What kind of diet is that? I would beg to suggest more exercise if the wait is not coming off fast enough. I have only lost eight pounds but I lost those in the gym before surgery. There is know way you can burn off colories exercising and NOT lose weight. Sorry I am a jerk, honesty is all I have left to lose.:faint:

WE NEED TO BE STRONG? I CAN VOUCH FOR THAT....LOL BECAUSE OF APPT BEING CANCELLED I AM GONNA BE 14 WEEKS POST OP WHEN I GET MY FILL:help: I HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD UP TILL THIS WEEKEND BUT HEY WE ARE ONLY HUMAN AND I HAVN,T BEEN TURNED ON YET IF YOU GET MY MEANING (THE BAND I MEAN) HEHE

I was banded on 10/08 and feeling more hungry as the days go by as well. I was getting about 600 calories in a day and I seemed to be stalling. I upped the calories to around 900 and started the daily 30 minute exercise and the scale is going down again.

My dr said to have a goal of 10 pounds a month. Since I am past that now I am feeling good about things. Another thing I am trying is to exercise after my last meal of the day - hoping to bring up my metabolism thru the night.

Ben- dont give up on this thing - although the post surgery diet is strange, it works and is the right way to heal. The best thing in my mind about the lap band is that you can eat real food in the future - just smaller quantities.

Hey, I was banded on October 9th and I feel the same way. I can eat anything and alot of it. I was beginning to think they forgot to clamp it around my stomach. I have only lost 8 pounds since surgery. I have a hard time believing that the fill is going to make such a big difference. I left the hospital able to drink 64 oz at a time and a lady that had her's the same day could not even drink 4 oz of water. I am feeling hopeless at this point.

BEN BANDED 3 DAYS AGO???? How those pain meds working for you buddy?

Do us all a favor.......when you are 26 days out how let us who have been banded longest on this board know how your feeling and exactly how hungry you are!!!!!!! Because 26 days without any fruit and veggies is making me damn near nuts.

As far as the mashed potatoes that is actually on most of our menus to eat along with OTHER MUSHIES FOODS such as eggs, oatmeal, soup.

As far as exercising per doctors, and I'm sure I didn't see an MD on your post, I am not to resume full exercise for 5 weeks out. I can walk but no other stretching or similiar activities.

But hey you've been banded 3 days.........so I'll sit right up and listen you your post telling the rest of us to pretty much get over ourselves! Here's a news flash 500 calories per day right now for me if I wanted to exercise I couldn't because I am so flipping tired. Prior to this I walked 4 miles every day.

Pissed off and hungry for a freaking salad.

LIZ

PS

YEAH YOU ARE A JERK since nobody else wants to say it I WILL! And I'm usually really nice but your post simply pissed me off. HOW DARE YOU

Is this what I have to liik foward too. Come on guys how can I be motivated by posts like this. I I was banded 3 days ago. I try and stay ful on Water and zero calorie liquids. Come on .... mashed potatoes? What kind of diet is that? I would beg to suggest more exercise if the wait is not coming off fast enough. I have only lost eight pounds but I lost those in the gym before surgery. There is know way you can burn off colories exercising and NOT lose weight. Sorry I am a jerk, honesty is all I have left to lose.:faint:

H I was banded 4 days ago now. Don't take any pain meds and figure why blow thousands of dollars worth of surgery on 2 bucks worth of food. By exercising I meant just that , walking. No I am not a M.D. . But I did read alot before I was banded and happened to pay attention to every word my doctor and his staff said. For example liquids only for two weeks. Why, it can break the stiches holding the band in place. Exercise, only waling for 4 or 5 weeks. Lift only 5 punds the first week and 5 more every week after. Pain in shoulder( which I have had none) , gas. Pain in chest , FULL. Protien and water will keep you full. Carbs and fat will keep you hungry. I may be a jerk , but you can learn alot from a dummy.:kiss2:

Protien and Water will keep you full.

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA.... no... sorry - that is not how it works... Protein and water will keep you full for about 10 minutes while you wait to sip the next sip. When on full liquids and even mushies - it is hard to get protein in that isn't a powder mixed drink. like all mixed drinks (and drinks in general) they go through your system (meaning stomach) fast - keeping you full... not likely.

All of us are going through this together - not one individual ... obviously if we are all saying that we are hungry, then maybe, just maybe, the water and protein aren't doing it. You will reach that point too. When you do - I know you will understand then and will realize that protein water just doesn't cut it. Until then don't assume that what is working for you at 3 days post op will work for all of us who are 2, 3, and more weeks post op.

Frankly, at 3 days post op - I thought I would only ever need to sip water for the rest of my life and be happy because I was very full... but now at almost 3 weeks out - I am eagerly waiting my fill because I want to feel full.

So I will get off my soapbox with this last little bit - Congrats on your band and I will pray for you that water and protein water work for you.

Pissed off and hungry for a freaking salad.

Me too... I am craving a ceasar salad with lots of romaine lettuce and fresh Parmesan cheese... ummmmm......add a crouton or two and I am in heaven....

Amy