Hi all,

I have mainly been an observer on this site, so this is my first post. I was banded April 7th 2009, so I am about 3 1/2 weeks post op. I was progressed fairly quickly through the food stages, and now I am on solid foods. I am getting a little nervous because I really do not feel any restriction now. For the first few weeks I did, but now I do not. I am purposely not eating large meals, but I think I could if I kept eating. I am working out and doing my best to watch portion sizes, but I am hungry all the time, and I have stopped loosing weight. I have lost 34 pounds so far in all. I won't be seeing my doctor until 8 weeks post-op to maybe get a fill. Is this normal to feel no real restriction? The doc said he did fill the band during surgery a little, but I don't know how much. Is there a chance that the band has come loose and slipped? I called the doctors office and they told me to watch my portion sizes until I get the first fill, so maybe I just need to be patient. Would it be appropriate to try and move that appointment up 2 weeks, or is it too early in the healing phase?

Sorry of all the questions. Any help would be much appreciated!

Sam

Sam, he put a TINY in your band. Hold a rubber band in your hand and put it in your hair. It doesn't hold your hair in place. Now wrap it around your hair twice...it creates restriction. It takes time to find your sweet spot. The spot at which 2 or 3oz of food makes and keeps your full. I highly doubt your band has slipped. Good luck and nice weight loss!

I am feeling the same way you are. I am eating allot of things I should not ne. I was banded 04/16/2009. Any advice would be appreciated.

I have little restriction, however I've just been measuring my food out and eating six times a day like the doctor said. It is tough at times, but still not as difficult as before. If you really think you're not going to make it to 8 weeks call and see if you can move the appointment up? Don't beat yourself up.

The way my doc explained it to me is this...

At first we are only to drink liquids because we are swollen and need to heal. The swelling causes restriction. That is why most of us feel restriction after surgery. As we heal and swelling goes down so does restriction. As the swelling goes down and the healing takes place we are able to eat more. So until we get our 1st fill it will be up to us to be in control. If it were me I would see if you can get your 1st fill around week 5. I hear alot of people get their 1st fill then.

Don't worry - it sounds like you are healing from surgery and don't have any fill yet. I had no restriction until my second fill (and I'm hoping I stay restricted). Before my first fill and after surgery I was able to eat normal sized portions - when I went out to eat with friends I could eat the same amount of food as everyone else. You'll get restriction when you start getting filled. For now you just need to focus on recovering from surgery.