I am now 4 weeks post op and have been having some trouble. I feel hungry alot more and have a constant need to fill that "void" that food used to fill. I have also only lost 13 lbs so far (no pre-op diet) and that doesn't help me to feel motivated. I spoke with a family friend who is 2 years post op and he said that the 3rd and 4th week were one of the hardest times for him. Is anyone else feeling the same thing?

hi ashley, i just had my first fill yesterday. I was starving when on the mushie and liquids too!!!! you are not crazy!!!! I was so moody and crabby!! I just wasnt ever expecting to be so hungry. I found out that its not so easy!!!! I ate more, but i ate healty lots of protein and bannans and yougurt. I didnt gain. As long as you eat smart you should be good. Its tuff!!! And your family will be no help, because they dont get it!!! I just got " well you did this to lose weight" So dont eat" Well they dont know. Its just a very hard few weeks and you pass through it.

I am three weeks post-op too and I have noticed that I need to eat more to get the full feeling that lasts a while. It is still only 1-1/2 cups of food but after two weeks of eating nearly nothing I feel like a pig! To make myself feel better I compare that quantity to what I used to eat (my whole meal now would have been a weak appetizer two months ago) and also I try to make sure what I eat is healthy and has lots of protein and little to no sugar or fat. I am looking forward to my first fill which will be 2-3 weeks from now to get some of the restriction back.

I'm three weeks post-op today and have noticed that in the last 3-4 days, things are getting tougher. The swelling from surgery is subsiding and the band is not at an optimal fill...both of these things add up to increased hunger.

It sounds like most docs do fills at six weeks post-op. Just a few more weeks to go.

I'm going to try to look at this as a one day at a time thing. Two more weeks of mushies and at least three weeks until a fill sounds like a long time. But can I do mushies today.

Hang in there :wink2:

Ladies.....I will scoot over and you can come share my boat....I am three weeks post op as of yesterday and have honestly wanted to eat everythign in sight as early as 2 weeks post op. I was told this is normal, but that we need to make sure we adhere to the diet as this is a time to let are bodies recovery from the surgery.

Right, tell that to my body who is pissed because it is carbohydrate deprived. Yes ladies, my body is not happy with me....well, not right now.

Like I posted on my blog yesterday, it is like telling an alcoholic, drug addict or smoker to stop cold turkey----it sucks and you feel like you are turning into a, well, bitch sometimes. Okay, moody person for those who may be offended at that word.

I have lost 16lbs since my surgery APril 29 and I was only given 1 week notice I was to have surgery, therefore my liquid diet consited of about 7 days pre op.

I have not weighed myself since my post op appointment and do not intend to until I go in for my 6 week checkup the first week of June, to which I will be asking for a fill. Hell, demanding one......LOL

Do NOT beat youself up as it is not going to help matters, in fact it will only drive you to want to eat more.....Do NOT weigh yourself everyday either, that is only more frustrating and again, giving you another reason to want to find that comforting food you are so accustomed to.

I have noticed that whether I am losing weight or not is irrelevant because I can most definitly tell I am losing inches. Just got my butt into a pair of Old Navy jeans, size 16, that three weeks ago I could not even pull over my butt.

DO NOT focus on the weight only, but rather on the overall outcome. You will be surprised!!

Good luck and again, try to stay positive and I understand about the family thing....I have an 8 & 9 year old who are understanding, but who tell me that I should not eat this and that and this and that as they eat it in front of me.

LOL....sometime I would like to kick everyone in the head, including the friggin 100lb hooker (not literally) that I work next to who can eat 5 donuts, three candy bars, a slice of cake and a fat greasy hamburger and LOSE weight.

Oh well, here's to will power. huh?!?!?!

Christine, you are doing wonderful! Great weight loss I lost 23 lbs since surgery date of 4/25. Take Care, Carol

Ashley and all,

I spent 2 weeks preop with Optifast. I did just fine. Post op was Clear Liquids for 14 days. Today was Day 10 and I called the doctor because I really feel a difference in the hunger! 100 calories a day, feeling weak, blood pressure getting low--

The PA told me to have one Optifast today. I was so happy, you'd think she told me to go to a buffet. Tomorrow--2 Optifast and then on the full liquids on Saturday, instead of next Tuesday. She said my band would be fine.

So this is bandster hell. The swelling has gone down and the hunger has returned. With a vengence! I will be good about the full liquids as I really want this to work! It WILL work--and I will "work it."

Down 24.5 lbs as of this AM--banded on May 13. Started at 217, now 192.5. Have to buy new pants.

Hi Ashley... first of all.. what do you mean ONLY 13 pounds? That is more than 3 pounds per week. Don't have the expecation that so many have that they will lose 20 pounds or more in the first month - your weight loss is perfectly normal.

Secondly, your hunger is also perfectly normal - I figure that stage lasts until your 2nd fill (for most folks). I had my first fill this week, and it didn't have much of an impact.

I was banded on the 6th, so now 2 1/2 weeks post op and also starving. The first week I was nauseous and ate nothing. Now I am sticking to mushies but feel I could eat a whole container of mashed potatoes. I've pretty much gone back to counting calories until my first fill. I lost 34lbs between pre-op high protein lo carb diet and post op. i think the pre op diet definitely helped. Good luck to all