Hello,

My name is Sarah and I had the rRealize band put in on 8/08/08. Since then I have lost 21 pounds. I don't have my first fill scheduled until 9/22 and for the last week or so I have had trouble staying full eating my regular meals. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate any help!

I hope to get to know people soon.

- Sarah

I think that the first weeks are more for healing than losing. There are very few people who aren't hungry without fills. Many have docs who have told them that this time is for learning a new way of eating, healing, and adapting to the fact that you have a band. (I am one week post op and starving already, but still on liquids). What I hope to do while finding that perfect fill amount is to try to "diet" and keep my calories to a certain level. I expect I'll be hungry some...but will try to eat more protein and less carbs, little to no sugar, low fat, etc.

My doc does the 1st fill at 6 weeks and I expect it won't restrict me much...so willpower will have to help me through. We'll get there; we just have to be patient and let the process work.

I lost 25 pounds during my first month after surgery. Towards the end of the post-op, my hunger increased, which, according to my doctor, is normal because in the initial beginning you have swelling and the healing going on in the stomach thus making the band a bit tight. Now that the majority of the swelling should have gone down, you will experience increased hunger. Enjoy it while you can! As you have your fills and less restriction, you won't be able to eat alot of the things your eating now.

Good Luck!