i was banded last tuesday (1/15). the recovery is going pretty well, although it's pretty uncomfortable to bend over.

the post-op liquid diet is a bit better than the pre-op version!

i'd like to learn more about 'bandster hell'. did you have it? how did you deal with it?

toni o

Hi, toni! I'm in Arizona now, but lived in Gig Harbor for 25 years. Bandster hell is when you are healed enough to regain your appetite, but not enough to get a fill to curb it. It usually happens 3 to 5 weeks out of surgery, after you have returned to eating solids but don't have any restriction to stop you from eating too much. It is not uncommon for bandsters to gain back a few pounds during this time after the liquid diet but before the first fill.

I didn't actually gain weight during it, but neither did I lose any. It's a frustrating period while you are waiting to heal enough for your first fill.

I dealt with it by getting any attractive, unhealthy foods out of the house (threw away a lot of stuff, like whole jars of peanut butter) and by reminding myself this wasn't forever, it was just for a couple of weeks. Good luck, and welcome.

Hi, I live in Shelton, just past Olympia. I was banded on 12/28/07 by Dr. Neal in Olympia. I feel for ya, the first two weeks were definately my hardest. Uncomfortable, emotional and unable to eat. I didn't have to do the pre-op diet so I ate up until the night before surgery. I am in the "bandster hell" phase right now! I was so glad to read your repliers post, made me feel better. I get my first fill on Thursday the 24th, I'm nervous. I can eat about a cup and half of food right now and I'm pretty full, but I haven't lost any weight in the last week. I've lost 15 since surgery and haven't gained any back yet, thank goodness! Oh, a couple of suggestions that got me through the liquid phase, sugar free Jello, blended cream of broccoli soup (the kind from Safeway) mmmm. Blended chili with sour cream and cheese in it, that was good too. I ate lots of yogurt too. Hoping you're doing well, each day gets a little better.

~Wendy

231/216/140

banded 12/28/07

Dr. Neal, Olympia, WA

your first fill on thursday...wow! i'd be nervous, too. everything i've read is that the fills aren't that big of a deal. here's hoping that's true!

i switched to low sodium soup because i've started retaining water in my ankles again. pacific makes a great organic low sodium tomato soup. yummmm. (i have celiac disease so i avoid wheat, oats, barley, rye...anything with gluten.)

i WAY overdid it tonight...too much bending and twisting. i'm sore to the point of wanting to have pain meds before bed.