I am almost one month post banding and this week I am PMS and I am constantly hungry. I am starting to revert to my old sweet tooth ways and I am terrified that I will gain weight. I have zero restriction and I am frustrated because I actually did much better in weight loss with the presurgery diet then I have after the band. Anyone else feeling this way?

Well, yes! now that you mention it. haha. I am also experiencing zero restriction..well..if I swallow a lump I feel the restriction and throw up but can eat a hamburger if I chew it. Wow makes it too easy huh? haha

So yeah im a little afraid. But there are 2 things that calm me down. The first being all the research I did on this website where people basically got hungry once healed and the general repsonse seems to be after the first fill life gets better.

the second thing is I remember talking to a guy, his friend got the band and he never feels hungry since his first fill and makes himself eat. There is a lady I met online in this forum that isnt never hungry also.

So I just keep reminding myself there is a chance after the first fill my appetite will decrease..not just restriction but an actual decrese in appetite.

I had a hamburger 2 days ago. it was amazing..i was so full. but I felt really guity and started thinking how im gonna fail and ruined my diet..just like I would feel when dieting without the band. but im cool now..

first fill for me is next week!

I am almost one month post banding and this week I am PMS and I am constantly hungry. I am starting to revert to my old sweet tooth ways and I am terrified that I will gain weight. I have zero restriction and I am frustrated because I actually did much better in weight loss with the presurgery diet then I have after the band. Anyone else feeling this way?

Just remember that you won't have restriction until you get filled and for some people that takes 3-4 fills (or more). AND...even really filled odds are you can still eat many sweets like Cookies, candy, shakes, cakes.

The band is a tool, not a total prison guard. We still have to use restraint (unfortunately!) and that old bugaboo "healthy choices". (bah!)

It does get easier as you get restriction though.

One month out is WAY to early to feel lilke you're a failure (remember, this is not a diet, its for life unless you get another surgery!) So be nicer to yourself (don't expect perfection!) and be tougher on yourself( sweets don't solve anything, sigh...I wish they did)

It will just get easier. Really, it will!

Try to assuage that sugar craving (which for many is strong during that time of the month) by having okay things like SF Jello, SF Popsicles and SF Fudgsicles (my fave), or eat 2 or 3 jelly beans (the Jelly Belly ones are about 4 calories each, which means if you eat very many, you're still in a heap of trouble, but a couple can satisfy that sweet craving for many of us. WHen is your first fill? That's the big step on the road to restriction and steady weight loss.

I had surgery April 1st and definately don't eat as much as I use to pre-band...but could still eat over my 6oz. I had my first fill on May 7th (2cc) and I still don't feel that restriction. Granted I feel some...but not like I think I should. I am praying when I go see him on the 21st......I will have better restriction after my visit. I'm not eating fast food, cakes and cookies.....but after I eat my 6oz of whatever food I am eating at the time.....I am hungry 2 hours later!!

Edited May 14, 200917 yr by aaysia1974

Just remember that it can take a few fills. My doc would NOT do any less than 4 weeks apart and was very conservative; feeling that slow gives patients a chance to adapt. Maybe?

Anyway it truly took me 4 fills (to 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 then 5.5) to FINALLY feel it some...and to 6.25 to actually have "good restriction". (I have a 14 cc band) Now I'm at 6.5 and think I'm darned close to perfect. I had gotten in the habit of snacking but am working on breaking it (my doc is ADAMANT about no Snacks, 3 meals a day ONLY)

Of course my schedule is unique to me; we're all very different. Some feel restriction post op with just the band. (lucky people!) So aaysia1974 don't feel bad if it takes a while. This is for life, it's not a diet, it will happen but it may take some tinkering. Just hang in there!