I have my first pre-op appointment this Thursday, which will be about two weeks since my surgery date. My original appointment was last week but I had no sitter for my two daughters.

I don't even get my first fill on that date!!!! I have to wait longer!

I AM SO FRIGGIN HUNGRY. I HAVE NOOOOOOO RESTRICTION WHATSOEVER. I HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE THIS.

I HATE reading how others have lost weight because I am so frickin pissed that I am not there yet. I feel like I am being tortured right now. I am on liquids and my god it is just KILLING ME. I mean, really, how much longer can I live on Soup & broth?

I DON'T know how much broth/soup to eat, sometimes I can eat a cup, sometimes more, how do I know if it is staying in the pouch or just draining out? I worry CONSTANTLY that I am stretching my pouch somewhat. I wish I could physically SEE inside of myself whenever I eat to see how the food moves through my pouch and band.

The mfr says to eat three meals a day, no Snacks. My nutritionist states 3-6 meals per day. My surgeon says three teacups, and also requires one month of clear fluids that would end up being roughly 900 calories FOR A MONTH - yes, consuming less than 100 calories PER DAY. (I lasted a week, then went on to thin soup, so I am up to about 800-1200 cals per day). Other people are eating real food after a week. WHAT GIVES? WHO DO YOU TRUST? How can one person be forced to starve just because her surgeon says so, while others are able to eat pretty much whatever they want a week post-op????

I am SO bitchy and crabby right now. Unbelievable. I mean I haven't been this crabby in MONTHS! (and no, it isn't my TOTM, I had my baby machine yanked out after baby #2)

AND, I'd also like to add another bitch, since I introduced the Soups into my diet, increasing my calories to an approximate *WHOPPING* 1000 cals per day, MY WEIGHT HASN'T BUDGED.

GRRR!!!

AND, I'd also like to add another bitch, since I introduced the soups into my diet, increasing my calories to an approximate *WHOPPING* 1000 cals per day, MY WEIGHT HASN'T BUDGED.

GRRR!!!

Doesn't it say you lost 13 pounds and you had surgery on 12/28??? That is awesome!!!!!

Hi, I'm sorry you are getting off to a bad start on your journey. I dont think comparing yourself to anyone else on here is going to help you as we are all on so very different paths.

I have a massive BMI so even though I was banded in November I've seen some good results, from your pics you don't look like you have even half the amount I have to lose so of course things will be more gradual for you. The nearer you are to your goal weight to harder it is.

I'd try not to worry about your pouch, I know it is harder said then done, I worry about mine too but I think your body will tell you when it's overfilled. I've heard of people PB'ing which I haven't yet so I must be doing something right!

Sounds like your diet is quite similar to what mine was. I was on broth for 2 weeks, thicker liquids for 2 weeks, mushies for 2 weeks and then (finally!!) back weaning onto solids after 6 weeks!

If you are prepetually hungry, I know this is probably old hat but do something, anything. Get out of the house, go for a walk, I do an excercise DVD I got for xmas. I call friends, I've even gone to sleep early as I'm hungry and don't trust myself!

Remember your band is a tool and not a magic cure, I've also taped motivational pictures to my fridge and my cupboards of old pictures to deter me, whatever works! Good luck and don't let it drive you crazy.

One final motto, my mum said this to me. "You need to eat to live, not live to eat." xx

Thanks Squishee :-) :-)

I don't think there are too many out there who can't relate to this. However, that being said, I'm sure you were informed that the time between surgery and your first fill is for HEALING, not losing weight. I had my surgery in the beginning of August and did not start losing weight until my 4th fill the very end of October! I know it is frustrating but you have to give it time. Take a deep breath and just remember you are at the starting line the race just hasn't begun yet. It will be worth it, I promise!

Roberta, Gf, i know how you feel.

I sorta stopped going into our December "Merry Losers" because i got so pissy when i saw post like, "HI, I LOST A MILLION POUNDS IN ONE DAY" barf. I mean, GREAT for them, honestly, but when you're one with a slower weight loss, its frustrating to see.

I know that my pounds on the scale are moving slower, but my husband and my mom are for sure noticing inches lost. Soooo..when you dont think that you're losing pounds, keep taking pics of yourself, so you can see the change.

And I know how you feel, I was on liquids for 4 weeks. Not FULL liquids, Just clear, including Protein shakes.

I know youre frustrated and I can understand this, but you CAN do this, and when in doubt, Drink a Protein shake...it helps me tons.

I know you're starving, and also, i dont know what your DR said, but mine didnt give me any restriction on how much liquids i could drink, including Jello. Just to stop when i felt full.

And you are losing pounds, i can tell from your before and after pics, its working!

I don't think there are too many out there who can't relate to this. However, that being said, I'm sure you were informed that the time between surgery and your first fill is for HEALING, not losing weight. I had my surgery in the beginning of August and did not start losing weight until my 4th fill the very end of October! I know it is frustrating but you have to give it time. Take a deep breath and just remember you are at the starting line the race just hasn't begun yet. It will be worth it, I promise!

I know that, I read it was a time for healing, but then I read of people losing drastic amounts of weight in the first month, mainly due to malnutrition due to starvation (which is what my surgeon recommends, broth for one month), or who knows, something else. I know it's only been less than two weeks, but the feelings are still there, since I haven't seen the scale move in a week. The first few days were miraculous, I would wake up and the scale would be down 2, 3 lbs. Now, nothing. I know it wasn't realistic because I couldn't live on broth alone after the first week.

I'm reading Mohammed Ali's daughter's book on the band, I'm actually finding it very helpful right now.

I have battled depression for years, so these feelings are nothing new to me. I'm just glad I have this board to vent to! You are all great.

Welcome to banster hell- put that in the search bar - you will see that you are not alone.

You did lose weight! 13 pounds. That is something.

I hope it helps you to know that we all lose at different rates. The band isn't like the bypass where foods goes through like a zipper in your stomach.

Are you drinking your Water? Eating all the Protein you should?

It will happen. Hang in there.

Hi! I'm right there with you! I had surgery October 26th and have only lost 17 pounds. I have had three fills and still don't feel much restriction so, my word for you is BE PATIENT!!! you just had surgery! The band doesn't start doing it's thing until you reach your sweet spot, which can take 3-5 fills.(or more) I don't know how you can stand being on liquids for so long, I feel your pain! I don't understand why you are being told so many different conflicting things, but I am sorry, that's all I can say but maybe that helps!

Excellent, excellent advice here my band sister (same strict surgeon). I promise you that in a year, Dr Leung will be your hero.

PS I was pissy and bitchy too. It happens and this too shall pass.

hugs

I see him tomorrow...I will be having the rocket-fuel xray in the morning and I see him afterwards. I wonder if he will give me my first fill that same day. I hope so.

I know there's nothing to say to you, to make you happy and perky about the band right now, we are all there at some point.

But know in 6 months at the most, you're going to be singing the praises of the band from the mountain tops

I see him tomorrow...I will be having the rocket-fuel xray in the morning and I see him afterwards. I wonder if he will give me my first fill that same day. I hope so.

Give him a big hug for me.:clap2:

Then tell him to stop smoking.

Wow. Nice vent! Feel better? I know sometimes it helps just to get it out there.