First I would like to thank everyone who have answered my previous questions...I have received so much helpful information.

My surgeon does not do a fill until 1 month post op because he thinks you need to recover and adapt after the surgery, which I understand...my question is how do people lose weight for an entire month with no fill? I have been on the pre-surgery diet for 4 days and am STARVING! My surgery is Thursday, and I am getting really nervous...I have only told one friend, not my family which I feel guilty about.

Thanks again for any answers you can provide-

Targa

My doctor said 2 weeks of clear liquids,then 2 weeks of full liquids, then 2 weeks of mushies after surgery so your stomach can heal. That's how you lose weight right after surgery! Try really hard to stay with the diet because the weight loss tends to stop when you go back to regular foods. Good Luck with your journey!:biggrin:

Hi Targa,

As you can see from being on this website, everyone's different. I've read that when some people start mushie to solid food, they don't lose, or may gain some weight. But then there are people like me who have been steadily losing since surgery (and 13 lbs the 1 week pre-op). I haven't had a fill yet. When I went 2 weeks ago for my check-up and first fill, the nurse said I really didn't need one because I was steadily losing and I haven't felt tremendous hunger in between meals. I definately feel some restriction, even without any fill. I can't eat anywhere near what I used to be able to eat at a meal. I have a 10cc band and the nurse said that from the surgery, I can have anywhere from .5cc to 2cc starting off in my band. I won't know the exact amout until I do get my first fill and they will aspirate what's already in there to measure, put it back in and then give you some more for a fill. I don't really understand how that small amount in my band can give me the good restriction that I have so far, but I'm greatful that it's working, I feel great, and I don't have any unpleasent side effects. And as far as telling your family, you are doing this for YOU....you'll know if the time will be right to tell anyone you feel comfortable telling. I wish you good luck in your weight loss journey!

You won't be hungry after surgery for a few days, and then as mentioned already you should start on liquids and then possibly mushies (my doc has us go directly from liquids to solids). It's incredibly important to follow your doctor's post-op guidelines to make sure you don't do any damage to your band as it heals in place. But you should be able to get in enough calories for you to feel satisfied, but still lose, by drinking Protein shakes, Soups, juices, etc.

Good luck! The first few weeks are the hardest but it goes by fast - you can make it through. Many people say that the focus just after surgery is on healing properly, not necessarily losing.

Targa, some people get restriction just from having the band in. I did. I lost all of my weight in the 5 weeks after surgery, because I did not have a preop diet. I think it is because of the swelling from surgery. There is someone I have seen on here who has never had a fill and has lost. I just got my first fill on the 20th and it was only 1cc. The only reason that I got it was because I was getting hungry sooner after eating (3hrs instead of 4) . Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones. Good luck with your surgery and be sure to keep everyone posted. You will be fine.

Thanks so much crzytchr, I did not know it was common and possible to lose that much weight with out any restriction.

Thanks again-

Targa