Hi everyone! This site is GREAT! I was banded recently on Jan. 10th. The first few days with restriction was pretty easy but it has been progressively getting harder to feel even somewhat full. I mostly feel a bloated feeling after I have eaten but not really the normal feeling of being full. Do you ever get the "full" feeling back or just the feeling that your pouch is full? Thanks alot guys! I appreciate your expertise.

Hi, I just recently had surgery on Jan. 15th also. Your so right first week was pretty easy. I have started eating thinned creamed soups at least once a day. I am still having a growling, gurgling stomach. I can't decide if hunger or gas still. Do you have any good liquid meal ideas.

mindyemt08,

You are probably still healing internally from surgery still. I know for me, my pouch and band was swollen for several weeks after surgery. During that time I was not hungry. I was also on a restricted liquid diet. It took me four fills to hit my sweet spot and feel that my pouch is full. It will be a different type of fullness that you have to adjust to. Remember, eat slowly and chew, chew, chew!!! For me I haven't felt the belt-busting fullness since before my surgery because I can't eat that much. I do have to be aware of how much I am eating. Don't worry, you will get there. Keep it up!

Although I am having problems feeling full, campbell's cream of chicken soup with herbs tastes better than regular cream of chicken soup. What I do is add just 1/2 can of water to it and it is thicker but goes down just as easy!

I lived off of Campbell's Creamy tomato soup. It is thicker and seems to stay with you longer. You might try that, if you like tomato soup.

I haven't been banded yet but from my understanding your full feeling is different than it was before. It is important to recognize that feeling so you don't overeat and PB.

I also understand that after your surgery you will initially have some restriction from swelling, but that when the swelling goes down so does the restriction and you enter what is known as Bandster Hell. That period of time between surgery and before you get your first fill that will begin to help you feel full. I guess this is a very difficult time for many bandsters and you just have to suffer through it. I have heard that eating a lot of Protein will help ease the hunger pains. Make sure you keep your carb level low as you will end up putting on weight.

It sometimes takes several or more fills to get to your sweet spot. During this time you need to depend as much as you can on willpower and sheer determination to succeed. Once you get to your sweet spot then the band will help you to stay on track.

YOU ARE IN BANDSTER HELL!!!!!!!!!!!

Your band is most likely empty and hasn't been "turned on" yet.... the original restriction is usually from swelling from surgery.

You need to focus on letting your band heal....... before my first fill I ate the better part of a pizza!

Yep---bandster Hell----having a new band with no fill is like having a new car with no gas----nice, but it isn't helping you get anywhere!!!

Hang in there, practice all the things you learned dieting, and let your body heal. Once you can begin filling the band, you will have the help the band provides.

Til then----we have all been there, and sympathize!!!

Welcome to Bandland!

Kat

I also am in lap band hell. I am ashamed to say I ate a pack of cookies yesterday and today. Unfortunately I was able to. I got banned on 12/7. My first fill is Saturday, 1/26. I can pretty much eat wat I was eating before the banning. My restrictions from healing are OVER>>>

I just started eating mushies. I'd like to have mashed potatoes and stuff but am worried I will gain weight. Since I don't feel full I am worried I will eat more than just a little, hence gaining weight. HELP! I don't want to lost what I have already lost.

Hi, I was banded on 1/3/08 and after a few days of cautious eating, I could really eat anything but haven't really done much meat. At first I was really scared that I "disconnected" the band or something cause I "didn't feel full" and was eating just like before surgery. Now that I am reading your posts, I feel much better knowing that this is normal. My first fill is 2/13/08. I have lost 11lbs since 12/26/07 preparing for surgery and cautious eating post.

Hang in there...

I was banded on 12/19. While I was in recovery, my doctor told my husband to remind me in two weeks the 'full' sensation I was having. Well, needless to say, I didn't remember that wonderful feeling. The bloating had pretty much disappeared and I was getting hungry. The funny thing was that I was starting to get 'brave' about eating different things everyday--basically like a scientist in an experimental lab. When I went in for my post-op check-up, I let the Nurse Practioner have a piece of my mind. She smiled her pretty little smile and reminded me that I had been banded but did not have any 'fill'; therefore, I would get hungry. The first four weeks following surgery is to get your body use to a foreign object around your stomach. "Be patient" she said. I know that is hard to do because you are starting to get frustrated. Instead start having cream of chicken Soup over mashed potatoes. It was like heaven the first time I ate it. Good Luck!!

if you've only just had your op you need to wait till your fill then you will feel full

Mindy, During my mushy stage I got mashed pots from Popeye's no gravy. I would take a 1/4 cup and add some 1 percent milk and a little salt and butter and make it thinner and heat it in the microwave. It was a little bit of heaven and It helped me feel more satisfied and I slept better. I did not gain any weight by eating that twice a day for a few days. Or do the same with instant potato's. Good luck, I am in bandster hell also and not due for my 1st fill yet. Hope to get a fill in early Feb

It is so nice not to be alone in my journey. I am glad to hear other people are experiencing the same issues. It helps to share.

Hi I do not think you will get actual real restriction until after your fill. You probably experienced swelling which made you feel more like you were full. I have had periods where I get really hungry. usurally if I add more protien I feel better, except this week I still fill hungry! I have not had a fill yet so am just trying to get through till then. My Dr. did say this was a time for healing and not to worry about weight loss--but gosh I loved seeing the scales go down in numbers and do not want to regain because I eat to much!

We can make it through this!