I had surgery 5 weeks ago and I have absolutely no restriction and lots of hunger. I've even gained weight in the last 3 weeks. I have been exercising 3-4 times a week and hoping that I would be down about 10 lbs before my first fill.....I didn't even consider the possibility that I would or could gain any weight. Has anyone else out there had this experience? I feel like such a failure.

What has happened to you is pretty common.

It is like you bought a new car....and now cannot go anywhere because you have no gas.

When you can begin the fill process, to attain some restriction, you will actually get the full effect of a working band. Til then---there is not much change going on in your body.

Take your time with the fills, go slowly to avoid problems, do your best to make good food choices, and don't get discouraged, when you get restriction it will make a HUGE difference.

Some---like me----the band was somewhat tight in itself---causing restriction from the beginning. I joke that even my internal organs were fat!

You are on the right track----keep moving, follow up with your Dr. and you will find the difference with getting your band filled.

You are NOT a failure!!! Dieting before the band was difficult if not impossible, or you would not have gotten the band. And right now it is as if you had not!

Hang in there, you are not alone. Your body has been healing, and is going to be ready to get some restriction soon.

PLUS----you did not start out at a really high weight, so sometimes lower weighted people do lose slower, it takes less to keep the body functioning so to speak. But hang in there it WILL happen!!!

Welcome!

Kat

i am 3 weeks post op and i am also hungry all the time. i am told after the first fill it goes away. you're not alone.

No, it does not necessarily go away after the first fill. This is an ongoing process...they don't just flip a switch. The first fill may or may not have any effect whatsoever (mine didn't, nor did my second). However this is not something you want to "rush". Believe me, if you had full restriction immediately you would probably freak. There is a learning curve involved in all this. This is the time you need to retrain yourself and your eating habits so WHEN you get restriction you know how to cope with it. Best to ease into this. This is the time to start making good choices. You'll be hungry and feel you can eat "a lot" (you really can't...compared to "before")...go ahead and eat, but eat proteins and veggies and the things you are supposed to eat. You'll get there....but it does take a little bit of time.

You are not a failure, you are pretty normal! The only restriction you have right after surgery is from swelling. That can go away in 1,2,3 weeks or can even take longer. The band is not doing what it was designed to do yet...it needs to be adjusted (filled) to get it to do what it is supposed to do. Your job right now is to heal and get in enough protein so your body can do that. Losing weight is not the goal right now (despite the fact that there are so many on this board who lose gobs of weight at first). Don't be discouraged by what you see others doing on this post - everyone is different. And also, be warned, your first fill might not get you there either. It can take several. I have had four and am not quite there yet. The band takes a lot of patience..use this time to start getting used to the band slowly. It really will pay off in the long run.

I was told with my surgery for the first 8 weeks it's not about losing weight it's about healing. The last thing you want to do is move that band around alot before it "sets" in and the sutures are all healed up inside and out. Keep the exercise going, make your food choices Protein based first, then fruits/veggies then carbs if there is room. You'll get there and as stated sometimes the first fill isn't what you expected. It can be too much or too little but, you definately LEARN to eat better because it will slow things down but, may not be at your "sweetspot". Its really important to concentrate on the chewing and portions right now so you'll know better and not have lots of issues of pbing or throwing up once you do get your fill.

You're definately NOT a failure...you're healing...you made the decision to help yourself get healthier. It took time to get the weight on so it's going to take time to get it off. Best wishes!

Renee

I know exactly what you're going through. Maybe you can update me so I know what to expect. I'm hoping for restriciton at my 3rd fill so I can eat less than I am now.

I have been through the same thing here at my 3 1/2 week mark and I know that when I get my fill I hope to start on the loosing path. Stay with faith and I am sure that you will continue the loosing path.

Ericka

I am so with you. I'm at 3 1/2 weeks now and feel like I could eat everything in the world. It's so hard not to. I'm so hoping that my first fill will give me some help that I so need.

No, it does not necessarily go away after the first fill. This is an ongoing process...they don't just flip a switch. The first fill may or may not have any effect whatsoever (mine didn't, nor did my second). However this is not something you want to "rush". Believe me, if you had full restriction immediately you would probably freak. There is a learning curve involved in all this. This is the time you need to retrain yourself and your eating habits so WHEN you get restriction you know how to cope with it. Best to ease into this. This is the time to start making good choices. You'll be hungry and feel you can eat "a lot" (you really can't...compared to "before")...go ahead and eat, but eat Proteins and veggies and the things you are supposed to eat. You'll get there....but it does take a little bit of time.

I guess it's wrong, but I really want my first fill to restrict me like crazy! I know I'm eating about 25% less food than before, but it's not the band stopping me, it's just me "being good". Even so, I'm hardly losing any weight. Waahhh. I was so hoping I'd be one of those who lose 10 lbs/month all along. It's hard to adjust expectations w/o feeling like I'm blowing it already, 3 weeks out. Anyway thanks for the reality check and encouragement, it does help a lot.

Renee

I know exactly what you're going through. Maybe you can update me so I know what to expect. I'm hoping for restriciton at my 3rd fill so I can eat less than I am now.

My 4th fill did the trick - the 3rd got me close. It took me almost 3 months to get there but now I am losing 3.5lb a week (for the 5th week in a row).

i'm nervous about getting my fill and not having restriction...but i'm prepared to wait for at least several fills before i'm in my sweet spot!

I had the same experience. I was down 12 pounds and then at the 5th all the swelling went down and it was like I had nothing. I gained 2 pounds. I had my first fill on Monday. I'm doing better but I think I will call on Monday and request another fill in another week or so. Hope things work well for you. I know that frustration of not being able to stop eating again. Request a fill a little early maybe.:teeth_smile: