Hi everyone

I was banded on Monday Nov 19 and subsequently discharged on Tuesday.

My doctor told me that I could pretty much start back on the same diet I was on for the week before surgery (high Protein low fiber) So I'm eating oatmeal, mashed potatoes, etc.

I was afraid to start eating those things because of what I've read here - but I figured he "saw" what he was working with and only HE knows how he positioned my band...

Now onto my problem ...

If not for the pain I'm having at my port site (which is about 3 inches above my belly button) and at one of my insicions on the left .. I don't feel any different.

I got up a few hours after surgery and started walking so that the gas would be tolerable - and it has been, so far.

I am able to drink normally (I expected to only be able to have tiny tiny sips) and I honestly haven't been "super chewing" my food and have not had any issues.

I'm almost starting to think that they cut me up and didn't put anything in there :paranoid ... I mean shouldn't I feel SOMETHING ??

The only thing I am doing is limiting the amount I eat - and stopping when I'm full ...

Don't forget that you don't have any restriction yet. The band was implanted, but it wasn't filled. As the swelling of your stomach goes down, you will feel hungrier.

Be sure to stick to whatever eating plan your doctor provided to minimize your chances of having complications. I found that eating Protein first help stave off the starvation for me.

Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly!

Thanks Transformer

I'm still pretty swollen and I *know* I have no restriction .. but I read stories where recently banded folks were having issues swallowing/gulping, etc ... and I don't feel ANY different - I'm not sure that's "normal" ..

If you don't feel bad, think of it as a gift! At least you're not miserable and suffering like some folks are. LOL!!!

Seriously, I'm glad that you are coping well so far--that's a really good sign!

You're not abnormal.

I'm 3 months out and only had 1 small fill so far ... I don't feel any different either. I still wonder if they remembered to put a band in there - lol.

I didn’t have a lot of pain or gas. I feel very blessed to have had such an easy recovery. I've been working really hard and seen rapid weight loss, despite my lack of restriction.

You’re doing great. It’s a little out of the ordinary to have NO post-op diet instructions. Please take it slow.

I felt the same way. I remember about a week after asking my mom if she made sure they really put it in. lol I'm 7 weeks out and not feeling any different. I just got my first fill 2 days ago and I still feel pretty normal but do notice not so hungry or food obsessed. It will get better as you get your fills and drop weight

My surgery was 11/15 and I feel just as you explained, I can eat and drink more than I expected but do feel a little bad when I over eat. Hopefully the fills will fix this.

Hello!

yes, you are feeling the same way that many many many of us have felt. I felt the same EXACT way and I think I posted exactly the same thing (if it wasn't for my scar and pain, I wouldn't know I was banded). You are in "bandster hell" which will pass once you get a few fills. Only then is when the band starts to work.

My advice is to just focus and really try to eat healthy. Count your calories and don't exceed 1000 calories a day max. Also, it helps to keep the carbs low (eat more protein) to control hunger.

Hang in there!!

I was banded October 15, 07 and felt the same way. I was up and around the day after surgery and could swallow just fine. I got my first fill last week but it didn't do anything so they put more in yesterday. I just finished eating a really runny muchy scrambled egg an I'm full.

My only real symptom of having the band before now was burping much much more than I used to. Just hang in there! I felt like they didn't give me a band and I can definitely tell it's there now. That was a tiny egg! I could eat anything before the fills! Sandwich with soft untoasted bread? No problem! I think that's changing though.

Good luck to you all!