I was banded on May 15th and had my first fill last Thursday. Most of the time I've been making healthy choices and good portion sizes.... I've had a few slip ups but I haven't worried about that. I feel some restriction if I eat a large meal, but that is more than anyone should be eating to lose weight. Still, as I said, I've been doing really well at Portion Control and not struggling too hard with it because it's mind over matter... I really want to lose weight!

But today.... I don't know what came over me today but I've been starving. Painful stomach growling! Really hungry, not just hungry in my head. When I got home from work it was all I could do to keep from grabbing something, anything, FAST just to kill the hunger pains while I took care of the birds, fed the cats, and did a little workout on the Wii before I could finally stop and get dinner heated up. I managed to hold off, even though it left me standing at the microwave watching the seconds tick down until my leftover pork loin roast and broccoli were ready. I had a little chat with myself, reminded myself that the scale won't care or make allowances for the fact that I was really starving if I ate more than I should!

Then, when at last I sat down to dinner, the urge to shovel the food in my mouth, because ya know, I'm starving. But the lessons learned here and through my doctor, and the limited restriction I've had at times, came through.... I made myself chew each bite slowly and carefully, and pause between bites. It was torture. I finished eating 20 minutes ago and my stomach is still growling. I think it's rebelling!!

Every day we make choices.... this day's been harder for me than most, and I really needed to vent.... but also to share... we can do it, if we want it!

HI,

I am 15 months post op and have lost 85 pounds. I still have hunger pains at times, but one of my nurses told me to make sure I eat Protein 1st to satisfy my hunger. I used to eat a lot of crispy foods and Soups. Now, I try to eat a protein item, even if it is just a couple of bites and it will make me feel full. My stomach growls at times just to remind me it is there

If your fill is not enough, you will know in a few weeks. Usually after a fill, you are supposed to be on liquids and soft foods for 10 days or so. Call your doctor's office and ask a nurse about your situation. The lap band is our tool to assist us in not eating the large amounts we used to eat.

Good luck!!!!

Thanks.... I am not restricted to liquids or mushies after a fill. My doctor has no special diet requirements after a fill, but if we want to do mushies for a day or so, we're welcome to it.... but he wants us on "normal" food within a day or so in order to see how the fill is working. I know, my doctor seems to be more relaxed than most doctors we hear about on this forum and I see it over and over again. But I trust him completely... he does nothing but lap bands, has been doing them for years, and has an excellent reputation!

You're right about Protein first and that's what I try to stick to. Yep, the band is a tool... I'll be glad when my tool is a little more assertive! I go back for another fill next Thursday, and another one scheduled for two weeks after that (if I need it) so, I'll get there!

Last fill I told my Dr that my stomach growled a lot & he said that my body is changing & that growling doesn't always mean that I'm hungry. I pay more attention now. First I make sure I've been drinking enough water. If I think I actually am hungry, I eat a slice or 1/2 a slice of low fat swiss cheese & eat a bit later. I don't want to be so hungry that I gobble my food & well you know...barf. I HATE that!

After 7 months, I've discovered that my stomach just makes wierd gurgling noises and that it doesn't necessarily mean they are hunger growls. Now that I have less belly fat, it seems I can feel and hear it??? I don't know. But I'm slowly figuring out the difference between the two. Hunger growls are rare. Gurgle, squishy, liquid noises are more common. It's wierd what you discover when you are more in tune with your body.