Hi there,

I had my surgery on the 20th of November. I'm onto eating what I want now as long as it's well chewed. I made the mistake of not doing that a couple of times and made myself sick!!

Problem is, I'm getting hungry really quickly !! All the time now, I'm eating around 1000 calories a day, but I put on a 1lb and a half last week, this really shocked me.

Has anyone had the same experience? Obviously I havne't had my infill done yet, do you think this will change once I've had an infill.??

Lynsay :help:

What typically happens after gastric band surgery is that you get some swelling of the stomach tissue initially due to the surgeon handling and stitching it. Since the stomach tissue is inside the band it will naturally restrict the opening. And like all swelling, it will decrease over time. It is typical for patients to experience hunger reduction and fullness on small meals the first few weeks after surgery but when the swelling goes down they are able to eat more and feel more hungry. The good news is that once your first fill is done and you become perfectly adjusted, you will feel full on small meals and not be hungry. It will finally take away the feeling of dieting and be a powerful way to help you lose and maintain weight loss. Focus on the fact that you are in the healing phase. The weight loss phase happens after your first fill. Hope that helps.

thank you soo much for your quick reply, I feel much better about this now.

Lynsay

Lynsay,

Follow these steps:

1.) Look yourself in the eye in a mirror

2.) Point to your image in the mirror

3.) Say, "you're going to be a star"

4.) Go enjoy the rest of your day with renewed hope

Hi Lynsay

I had my surgery on the 24th Nov and just like you i am hungry and though i have not been sick have made myself uncomfortable. I thought i was the only one that would do something so silly and have gained a couple of pounds but as most people say we are in the healing stage and not to worry about losing but more about healing. We will do fine, roll on first fill

Lisa

Thanks Lisa,

Just had a cuppa Soup to ease the hunger pang!! My brain still can't get used to the fact that I've got a smaller stomach now, I even start to shake a little before I eat, I'M SO ADDICTED TO food !!

Okay Doc, will do !!

I'M A STAR !!

I had my surgery on 10/25, I took the food phases post op really slowly. I stay around 800 net calories a day. I get full after 3/4 cup of food, however, I get hungry every 2-3 hours, but I get full pretty quick, I chew really slowly like they say, and try to finish my meals after others I'm eating with. I'm hoping that with my first fill tomorrow, I will be able to stay full longer... and not get so hungry in between. I'd like to do the 3 meals a day, but right now I'm at 6 mini meals. The doctors information really helped. Good luck, let us know how you progress...

Lynsay, what you are experiencing is normal. Make sure you eat lots of protein to keep you fuller longer. Also, when you do get a fill don't be surprised if you can't feel restriction right away. It took me 5 fills and 6 months to finally get there. Good luck.

Hi Dr Watkins,

Wandered if this may be an issue, my stiches have come to the surface on the larger scar on my tummy, which incidently had a hematoma during the operation. It's been 3 weeks now, but they've started oozing a bit and a clear liquid is coming from the actual cut area. The stich holes are closed now though. yesterday it was thumping a bit and I pushed it and a small amount of green puss came out, I pushed until it ran clear. I'm dressing it every few hours now and keeping it clean with iodene. However the liquid is still filling the dressing right through every hour.

Lynsay

Hi Lynsay,

The simple answer is that you should call your surgeon now and either get an appointment to see them today or have them call in some antibiotics. The larger incision is typically the port incision and you certainly don't want a port infection. We have had patients with superficial wound infections (ie the port itself is not infected) that cleared up with a week of antibiotics.

Keep me posted.

Lynsay,

Also, you could take a photo of the incision with a digital camera and send it to me via private message and I'll take a look at it but you should also call your surgeon's office.

I had mine done in Prague, I live in Scotland, I've made an appointment with my GP as they're in the loop with all of this.

thanks.

Wow, I Have Not Even Had Surgery Yet But What An Encouragement Dr. Watkins Is. I Have Never Been A Star, Crap I Have Never Been Worth Anything. I Want To Live Life Skinny At Least Once. I Can Only Imagine What Its Like.

Lynsay,

Glad you're seeing your doctor. Keep me posted.

Docop,

You can do it! The band can help! (like Home Depot slogan)