Alright, I had my surgery 5/14/08, moved onto to the soft diet at day 7 post-op. With the exception of the morning, when I feel aware of the band, the rest of the day I'm hungry, and feel like I can just eat, eat, eat. I stick to my 1 cup of food per meal, but I'm still hungry. I'm noticing also, that there is no difference in the kind of food I eat, either. I can essentially eat normally. I had read someone's post, who appears to have been successful with an over 100lb loss, who told someone else not to worry about restriction or loss at this point, wait for the fills...... So, I guess I'd like to hear from all of you success stories out there and tell me how it went for you. I lost 14 lbs quickly, and now it is just standing still.......... Thanks, all! Kris

I think that was me that said not to worry about how much you eat right now. My doctor told me that this was the time for healing. I lost 18 pounds in my first month and I honestly think that most of that was during the first two weeks on liquids when I didn't have a scale. You are going to eat normally as you have NO restriction. Actually there is a little restriction, but probably not enough to tell. I am one of the lucky ones that has A LOT of restriction with just the band, but most people do not.

Are you drinking while you eat? That will make you fill hungry a lot faster. Right now to stay full longer you are really going to have to eat a lot of protein. Refried beans, pinto beans, black beans...get it...beans, beans, beans. Tuna and other soft fish will work too if you have been given the okay by the doctor. How long before your fill? If at all possible stay away from the protein drinks...They don't fill up for very long. I also made some noodle-less lasagna with ricotta and cottage cheese. Make it just like lasagna but omit the noodles. You can add white beans instead and it should be soft enough.

Here is the key to eating and feeling "full". You probably aren't going to feel full. You have to keep doing what you are doing. Eat the 1 cup of food and then be done. Eat it slowly (I know it sucks cause the food gets cold) but after about 15, 20 minutes you will start to feel a sense of "nothingness" in your stomach. That usually means that you are not hungry any more.

Also, your tummy is probably hungry sometimes, but your head is starving. If you are anything like me you are used to eating HUGE portions of food and now you are eating 1 cup. Try to eat that 1 cup in the smalles thing that it will fit in. I would eat out of small little baking cups...like ramekins. It made it seem like so much food. Your brain is not satisfied, but your tummy really is. Finally.. the rumbling and grumbling in your stomach doesn't mean that you are hungry. It just means that there is air in your stomach...most of the time. Sometimes it means you are thirsty. Using the band means really learning to "feel" your stomach. When you think you are hungry sit down, close your eyes and try to "feel" your stomach. Focus on your stomach. Pretend you can see it...is it really hungry...or is it your brain. 100 pounds later...I still do this. It was my way of realizing the difference between real hunger (which really will be diminished when filled) and head hunger (which as a fat person...and I still am mentally...will not go away)

Hope this helps some!

Thank you for that!!! I was feeling the exact same way as Kris. UGH!!! It was exactly what I needed to read right now.

Wow, I was told 1/4 of a cup at a time for now, and work up to 1/2 cup later on. It's working for me, so I'm not complaining, but it surprises me when I read that people can eat a whole cup. Maybe I have more restriction then I realize. Haven't had a fill yet, and not sure I want one at 6 weeks at this point

Wow, I was told 1/4 of a cup at a time for now, and work up to 1/2 cup later on. It's working for me, so I'm not complaining, but it surprises me when I read that people can eat a whole cup. Maybe I have more restriction then I realize. Haven't had a fill yet, and not sure I want one at 6 weeks at this point

Some people have a lot of restriction just from the band (I do) but not everyone. It depends on the angle of placement, the size of the band, and your anatomy. It also depends on how much the band presses on the nerve that sends the hunger/fullness impulses to your brain. If your band is pressing on that, you wont' feel much hunger. If it doesn't press on it, you will feel just as hungry as before surgery. If you don't need a fill...don't get one. Being too tight is WAAAAAAY worse than being hungry. I can use discipline if I am hungry...there is nothing I can do if I am too tight.

I've read enough horror stories about too much restriction that I'd much rather be hungry. I'm half afraid to say that because everyone will say "what did you get the band for, then". I did not know about the possible effect of "pressing on a nerve", but the nurse DID tell me that often people just don't feel as hungry. That must be what she meant. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones--at least so far. Some evenings I feel somewhat hungry, though not the stomach churning starvation I'm used to. I've read that you can feel more "open" in the evening, haven't I? I will sometimes take a Tablespoon of peanut butter and a tiny spoon and make it last 20 minutes or more. Tonight, no hunger, so no peanut butter. Amazing. I know I'm new, so it might not be like this later on, but I'm grateful for every day that it is!

Here is an abstact from one of the journals I read on this. I am chemist/chemistry teacher and have access to several journals. Just didn't want anyone to think that I was spewing stuff out of my rear! It happens a lot on here!

"The vagus nerve plays a central role in satiety and short-term regulation of food intake and research suggests a relationship between VNS and weight loss. The underlying mechanisms of this relationship are unknown. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether acute cervical VNS might temporarily alter food cravings. Thirty-three participants were recruited for three groups; depression VNS, depression non-VNS, and healthy controls. Participants viewed 22 computerized images of foods twice in one session and completed ratings for food cravings after each image. The VNS participants’ devices were turned on for one viewing of an image and off for the other (randomized order). Participants were blind to VNS condition (on versus off). Acute VNS device activation was associated with a significant change in cravings-ratings for sweet foods. A significant proportion of variability in VNS-related changes in cravings was accounted for by patients’ clinical VNS device settings, acute level of depression, and body mass. Further studies are warranted addressing how acute or chronic VNS might modify eating behavior and weight."

Hotmama-I totally feel the same way you do. I was banded 5-12-08, was on liquids & puried food which was fine. I started "soft foods" yesterday and was hungry all day long. My doc says "soft foods" is anything I can smash with a fork. I have to admit I tried several things I couldn't smash with absolutely no problem. Now I'm worried! I know I just have to wait till the fill but until then I'm thinking...uh oh....

Kris, you are on the healing stages until you hit the 6 week mark. That is when you can get a fill. Try and stay to 1 cup of food per meal, lots of protein. You will start to lose once you gain restriction.

glad I stumbled in here, great info... I personally am just starving...from the time I got home from the hospital I am friggin hungry... I want to nawg off an arm for the sake of saiety!