Hello... I was banded on 3/12/09. I lost 12 lbs in the pre-op phase and since surgery I've lost another 7 lbs. But I really haven't lost any since I added soft foods back into my diet. My anger and frustration is that I still have not had a fill. I have no restriction whatsoever, looking for food a lot. Like someone else said on another thread, if I had the will power I wouldn't need the band. I'm reading about a lot of other bandsters who had their surgery on or about the same time as me and they've already had one fill. I couldn't get in for a fill 4 weeks post-op because my surgeon was going to be out of town so I was pushed back one week (5 weeks post op), then I got a call that my surgeon would be out of the office again so now I'm not scheduled for my first fill until April 27, 6 weeks post op. I called the nutritionist to talk to her about what I should or shouldn't be eating since I feel like I've just been left floundering on my own since I haven't seen the doctor since a few days post-op. She was helpful about food choices, but I'm still upset by this whole experience of lack of support from my surgeon. He only sees patients one day a week and is the only doctor to treat the bariatric patients. I don't feel like they explained bandster hell at all and how once the swelling goes down and until you start to get adjusted that it's a difficult time and what to expect. I'm just feeling very disappointed in myself, the surgeon's office, etc. I'm going to Vegas for my 25th wedding anniversary on May 17th and had hoped I'd be 2 months post-op and much further ahead than I am. I feel like if I had started to get my adjustments when I was truly eligible I wouldn't be so upset. I realize this is a journey but I expected more support than this. I think that if I'm not happy with my next appointment and subsequent scheduling of future appointments, I might switch to another bariatric clinic. This is not what I signed on for. (I realize everyone is entitled to time off, but I sure wish someone would have explained when I had the surgery that I wouldn't be losing weight at this stage.) Has anyone else felt like their surgeon just left them hanging in the wind?

Can someone explain the "restriction" feeling to me. I don't have my band yet and this is comfusing me. It would seem that just having the band would cause the feeling of restriction. I thought the fills where done as you move along and you get used to where you are at. I thought I understood how this worked but maybe I have not gotten the correct information. I want to be fully informed as I move forward... Not judging just asking..

Thanks

I am so glad that I found this thread. I too am in "bandster hell" and I am encouraged by some of the replies on here.

I guess, for me, it's not about if I am losing weight, or its not about if it is a magic bullet, its just that I am anxious now that the swelling has gone down, and I feel exactly like I did pre-band. When I say I am anxious - I am not saying that it is a rational fear or emotion - I am saying that I feel scared and worried and upset that what if this isn't normal, and what if I have been through this huge experience, paid $10K + and had all these hopes for the future (and I mean 1-2yrs future - not 1mth post op) and I am starting to worry that maybe it's not going to work for me. Reading these posts of people who have been there really do help, as all I needed was a little bit of reassurance that this is normal and I will be okay and it will help me to lose weight. Perhaps this is what "A New Woman" was looking for as well. Logically we know that WLS does work - we have all looked at the 100s of amazing before & after pictures - but we just need to know that despite how scared we feel at the moment as the hunger has returned, that we can and WILL be one of those people too... So thanks for the reassurance that you guys have given. Hang in there everyone - and those waiting for fills and who are in Bandster Hell at the moment, please come back and tell us how you feel after your fill.

xx

P.S In the literature that my doc provided me with it says "your hunger will return, but do not worry, you have not had a fill yet" it also says that "anger is a common emotion post surgery - as it is often anxiety over a fear of failing once again - manifesting itself as anger". Hang in there xxx

Can someone explain the "restriction" feeling to me. I don't have my band yet and this is comfusing me. It would seem that just having the band would cause the feeling of restriction. I thought the fills where done as you move along and you get used to where you are at. I thought I understood how this worked but maybe I have not gotten the correct information. I want to be fully informed as I move forward... Not judging just asking..

Thanks

Restriction is when you eat hard protien and after a few bite you feel full and can't eat anymore - you don't feel it 24/7 you don't feel your band in your stomach - when you eat you get full on a smaller amount of food

Some bands come with a little fill in them - some pple don't need fills just the band alone gives them the restriction they need to eat smaller quanities - some docs are agressive with fills and others aren't some fill 4 weeks 6 wks and 8 wks - I got to my sweet spot in 2 fills - some pple are on their 6th and still arent there...

I am so glad that I found this thread. I too am in "bandster hell" and I am encouraged by some of the replies on here.

I guess, for me, it's not about if I am losing weight, or its not about if it is a magic bullet, its just that I am anxious now that the swelling has gone down, and I feel exactly like I did pre-band. When I say I am anxious - I am not saying that it is a rational fear or emotion - I am saying that I feel scared and worried and upset that what if this isn't normal, and what if I have been through this huge experience, paid $10K + and had all these hopes for the future (and I mean 1-2yrs future - not 1mth post op) and I am starting to worry that maybe it's not going to work for me. Reading these posts of people who have been there really do help, as all I needed was a little bit of reassurance that this is normal and I will be okay and it will help me to lose weight. Perhaps this is what "A New Woman" was looking for as well. Logically we know that WLS does work - we have all looked at the 100s of amazing before & after pictures - but we just need to know that despite how scared we feel at the moment as the hunger has returned, that we can and WILL be one of those people too... So thanks for the reassurance that you guys have given. Hang in there everyone - and those waiting for fills and who are in Bandster Hell at the moment, please come back and tell us how you feel after your fill.

xx

P.S In the literature that my doc provided me with it says "your hunger will return, but do not worry, you have not had a fill yet" it also says that "anger is a common emotion post surgery - as it is often anxiety over a fear of failing once again - manifesting itself as anger". Hang in there xxx

I'm almost 2 yrs out - below goal weight at healthy bmi weight but still afarid this isn't going to work or should I say I am afarid that I will go back to my old ways - and even with the band I know how to eat around it. I am very aware of my food addiction - one day at a time - that's all I can control - so that's what I stay focused on.

Wow - I can totally relate. The swelling post surgery definately made things easier -- as there was restriction! Now I am starting to feel really hungry a lot - I stop and think whether I am really hungry or bored...and I am hungry! So I focus on protein and wait ever-so-patiently for my 6 weeks appt when I get my first fill. I am glad we have this forum to support one another. (not judge one another) We are all in this together and need to use our experiences to help each other - not tear each other down. No matter how much research or how many friends you have with the band - nothing prepared me to go from feeling a LOT of restriction post op to absolutely nothing a few weeks later...wierd! But I am in it for the long haul - and know that we will get our fills and stick with it and things will change....patience...not my favorite virtue by far!

tell me something, does head hunger eventually go away or is it life long pain in the toosh

Just a note for those with Blue Cross Blue Shield. There is a 90 day wait for a first fill. I was banded on 2/10/09 and still waiting. Yes it is hard. I am not losing but not gaining. Trying to work on the band eating habits so it is not too much of a shock when I do feel restriction.

tell me something, does head hunger eventually go away or is it life long pain in the toosh

Life Long I think - it's our addiction - it will never go away - we just learn to control it..

Just a note for those with Blue Cross Blue Shield. There is a 90 day wait for a first fill. I was banded on 2/10/09 and still waiting. Yes it is hard. I am not losing but not gaining. Trying to work on the band eating habits so it is not too much of a shock when I do feel restriction.

I have BCBS and I do not have a 90 day wait. A common misconception among people that have insurance is that ALL insurance policies provided through a certain carrier are the same. There are certain restrictions, inclusions and exclusions that your policy may have that others do not. Think of health insurance the same way you would think of car insurance. I'll use Progressive as an example. Just because you have a Progressive policy does not mean that everybody that has a Progressive policy has the same coverage and deductibles. Everything depends on what your employer chose to cover for your benefits. Not all BCBS policies cover Lap-band.

With that being said.. Hang in there and get your fills when you can. I am having a terrible time eating the way I should too. I feel like my old habits are returning. Going in for my first fill in about an hour! We will see how this goes...

Wish me luck!

Rachel

I'm just disappointed that bandster hell wasn't explained at my post-op visit. They tried to explain other things, why not this? Initially, after surgery you think "Wow, this is great! I'm not hungry, I'm satisified on liquid's (mushies, etc.)." Then all of a sudden the swelling goes down and you feel like you did before surgery. It's just very discouraging when you don't expect it. I just think had I expected it more I would have been better prepared for my appointment delays.

I totally understand. My dr. and staff left most explaining to be done by the nutritionist and she never once mentioned "bandster hell" I had no idea what was going on, felt and still feel so lost. I have 5 more days of liquids (not full, been on for 12 now) and not even sure if I have to watch the amounts anymore. When I had swelling I was getting about 2 –4 oz down and now I don’t think there is much of a limit.

I did a lot of reading and checking out my doctors before the surgery and I guess nothing will prepare us for it until we experience it first hand.

I know that I have a support group in my area that meets once a month, as soon as I find out dates and times I am going to check it out.

I wish you all the best and keep us post on your journey!

Wendy

Edited April 30, 200917 yr by redhead722