I haven't had a fill yet as its 4 weeks after my op, I started off with 2ml which was put in when I had the op. but I can eat a meal with ease, I don't get full and a few nights I have lost my will power and binged. I know it takes time until your fill is correct but surely I would still be struggling to eat big meals. I am really worried as I think maybe my band has slipped......Can anyone relate to this???

I feel the same as you! I am 31/2 weeks out from surgery, I am still in the mushy stage. Up until a week ago, I felt full all the time and could last 4-5 hours without eating...Now I'm hungry after 3 hours and it's not head hungry. My stomach is actually growling. Is it possible the band has slipped?

That is spot on with me. whilst on the mush I was full but now my hunger has returned to normal and I can eat pretty much anything I fancy , feel really down. Lets hope there is someone who can reassure us on here as I am starting to panic:eek:

Don't panic. First you need to give your body time to heal. What probably happen that caused you to have restriction and now not have it, is that the swelling the initial surgery caused which caused initial restriction has since gone done. If you aren't swollen anymore, you won't feel that restriction like before.

Try to keep your portions reasonable, but until you get your fill you may be in what is known as bandster hell where you have no restriction at all and don't lose weight.

Hang in there!

Your band hasn't slipped, If it did you wouldn't be able to keep anything down and would throwing up alot. You should see your surgeon for a fill, they do them between 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. You do not want to binge as you can strecth your pouch and this early in the game you don't want to do that or have your band slip. This early in the game though you most likely shouldn't be eating heavy foods as you have to give the band surgery site time to heal, that is why you should be on mushies right now. If you have a bariatrics team that you can easily call or go to regularly then you should do it. I know not everyone is as fortunate as me as I am 2 years out and see my coordinator every week for a one on one. The formula for the sucess of your band is this, band and you working with the band. Wishing you both a good journey.

Thank you Dfav for your advice. Would you happen to know if it would be ok to have a protein drink in between meals to prevent overeating? My worse time is between lunch and dinner. i got on the scale today and was extremely disappointed. I had only lost 1 lb since last week for a total of 25lbs. I have been doing so good til now, I don't want to screw this up!

What you are feeling is totally normal-eat as healthy as you can - you should eat every 3 hours to avoid overeating. I didn't feel real restriction until my 2nd fill-and then it was like a light bulb went on over my head. Oh-this is how it works!

Cordelia

Lap Band Surgery: 1/10/08

Total Lost So Far: 128 pounds !!!

-376 / 248 / 175

-Start/Now/Goal

What you are feeling is totally normal-eat as healthy as you can - you should eat every 3 hours to avoid overeating. I didn't feel real restriction until my 2nd fill-and then it was like a light bulb went on over my head. Oh-this is how it works!

Cordelia

Lap Band Surgery: 1/10/08

Total Lost So Far: 128 pounds !!!

-376 / 248 / 175

-Start/Now/Goal

So how long between surgery and your 2nd fill....when the light bulb went on?

thanks for all the advice, will keep my meals light and healthy which I have been doing 95% of the time and hold on for my fill which I can book in 2 weeks..................After reading all the posts I feel really positive again so thanks:thumbup:

Edited August 25, 200917 yr by dione

Thank you Dfav for your advice. Would you happen to know if it would be ok to have a Protein drink in between meals to prevent overeating? My worse time is between lunch and dinner. i got on the scale today and was extremely disappointed. I had only lost 1 lb since last week for a total of 25lbs. I have been doing so good til now, I don't want to screw this up!

25lbs in 3-4 weeks is AWESOME!!!!!!!

I think they typically call this stage "bandster hell." It's when you start feeling better from surgery and the swelling has subsided and your appetite returns. I've heard some people even gain weight before their first fill. I kind of had a delayed bandster hell...didn't get my first fill until three months out from surgery, but those couple of weeks before my fill I could a lot more and was hungry pretty quickly. Now after my fill I had chocolate milk yesterday and it filled me up all day! Crazy!

Thanks Agnes! And thank you to everyone else who has posted on here. I was beginning to get really worried that this was the end of the road for me.

Before surgery when I would try to loose weight I would lose 20-25lbs and then nothing! I even trained for the AVON Breast Cancer walk. I walked over 40 miles a week for 4 months and ate healthy and still stalled at 25lbs! Thank you again for your support. I can't wait until my first fill in 2 1/2 weeks.

I just had my second fill yesterday. I'm still on liquids so I don't know if I have restriction with this one yet, but I didn't have any restriction with my first fill, and also didn't have any restriction after surgery with no fill. I was definitely eating over .75 cups of food per meal, but what I did to make sure that I was getting the "biggest bang for my buck" was to literally have a meal with nothing but protein. So my meals would only consist of tofu, seafood, beans, etc. This way, if I was going to eat 2 cups of food, at least it would be solid protein. Ocassionally I throw in some broccoli or a salad for variety. I felt satisfied after my meals, and satisfied for longer. I got in my exercise and still ended up losing during the 'bandster hell' period. I'm hoping that period is over now, but even if its not, I'll just keep doing it that way. I would suggest getting all of the "bad", trigger food out of your house and if you feel you want to eat more go for the protein or healthy green veggies. I also log my food, weight and activities online so I can see whats going in everyday (including the percentage breakdown of how much fat, protein and carbs makeup my diet) and how much is being burned off. Plus, I like to look back at my previous weights. Its very encouraging to do that when you're feeling down. A really good pick-me-up! Good luck and be patient!

:lol:THANK GOD !!! I was sooooo worried my band had slipped, but after reading your posts I feel a little better. I go for my first pe--op appointment on the 1st so hopefully it will be all good news! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY!!!

Hi I am brand new to this, I had suregry last Thursday, the 20th. This "Bandster hell" you have spoken of seems to be what is happening to me. I am going a little crazy....today I finally caved and ate a piece of bread and it felt like it got stuck in my chest. It was a totally scary experience for me. Now I am scared that something has happened to my band. help!

I want to say that after reading these posts I feel almost normal - I am 1 month out - today - I have lost 13 pounds, The dr. didn't do a fill because of the weight lost - but the 13 pounds I have lost were in the first 2-3 weeks. NOTHING in week 4. I am so frustrated and I was really beginning to think all of this was for nothing. I have an appointment in 2 weeks - I am pretty sure with the no weight loss I will get a fill. I can't wait for that light bulb.