Hi, My name is Kim and I just had lap band 4 weeks ago. I have lost 30 lbs since beginning the pre op diet on May 31st. I went to the dr. for my 2 week follow up. He said I was doing great. I was concerned because the week I started on puree I was starving all of the time and I could eat at least a cup of food and still be hungry. He said that the swelling is going down around the band and that makes the band looser. He said to eat until satisfied and he will fill me at 4 weeks (which is this Wednesday) I feel like I am getting out of control already because I am always hungry. My weight has been up and down a couple of lbs every day since. Is this a common occurance? I feel like it is really discouraging. I feel like I don't even have the band in. Any comments would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

Kim:ohmy::confused2::tt2:

I am sure it will get better after the fill. I have not been crazy hungry yet(banded 6/23/08). But I feel great and have been keeping really busy. I go for my first fill July 21. And you really should try and stay off the scale--weighing in once a week is fine, more than that can make you crazy! Your body does go up and down a little here and there. I know when I get up int he morning I always weigh less then if I weigh later on in the day , or in the evening. Try to give yourself a break. Go for a walk! Do something you enjoy (besides eating!). I find distracting myself with activity has been helpful. Hang in there! Good Luck!

You would be surprised how common this is. After I lost my first initial 20lbs post op I have been up and down the same 5lbs waiting on my fill. Just remember your 'rules' and and keep on trucking. You will be surprised how easy it gets as you get further down the road in this journey. I was supposed to have my first fill last week but it was a comedy of errors and I am going in this Tuesday for mine. I am hoping I get the restriction I need to make it harder on me to fall back into old patterns. As it is right now its a battle of wills, my will to be healthy and my brain stuck in "old mode" trying to get me to eat as I used too.

Just hang in there sweety, you can do this.

Yes it is very common. Once you start getting fills things will get a lot better.

Thanks everyone for your imput!!!!!:thumbup: Kim

I didn't lose anything from the time I started on solids three weeks after banding until I got my first fill. Don't sweat it; the weight loss will come.

I have found myself in the same exact boat lately. I keep fluctuating the same 3-5lbs and its driving me nuts. I finally stopped weighing myself everyday and weigh Monday mornings instead. At least my brain is happier though my tummy thinks my throat has been cut off and is constantly hollaring at me for more food. I can tell my body is changing a bit as I recently tried to eat some pizza (which used to be a weekly event in my house) and my body was NOT happy at all with that junk. Even though I feel like I'm starving all the time I try not to go overboard when I eat and try to make better choices. While I hope my first fill will be the magic sweet spot, based on what I've seen here, I'm trying to remain realistic as well. :thumbup:

You sound like a diabetic if you are hungry all the time; worth finding out if you are or are not if you don't know.

I had the same experience as you are having (I am diabetic) to the letter. It's just a blood sugar thing and he's right, it will pass with the first fill.

The band is wide open now so it is as if you do not have it in yet at all, that's very accurate. At your first fill you will notice a remarkable difference. That said, do not rush this process! You just had major abdominal surery and it takes time to get healed up enuf to get that fill! Soon you too will be dealing every single meal with how many ounces you are eating (4 to 6, buy a scale and measure them) and you will then see how very little food can fill you up completely. Until then do not loose hope. Have some patience. You are doing great and your success is on the way!