Hi I was banded on 9/23....surgery went flawlessly as did recovery! I feel great 100% Walked 2 miles last night etc...

My only concern is that I feel no restriction. I just ate a baked potato smashed up to mashed consistency and I stopped myself after about 1/2 of it, but not because I fel full.....just because I knew that was about all I should be eating.

Is it ok to not feel restriction right now?

I feel tight at night after exercise, but that is usually after eating dinner and an hour or so later, but other than that I pretty much feel noting at all.

Thanks for your help!!:thumbup:

You have little or no fill in your band (some doctors put a fill in during surgery, and some don't), so generally you have restriction during this stage from swelling around the stoma. If your swelling has gone down, you're pretty open. Some people take longer than others to heal. I know it's hard, but try to stick to your prescribed diet, but if you really start feeling very hungry, try calling the doctor's office and see if they have any suggestions on different food choices or amounts. Good luck!!

Edited October 3, 200916 yr by kiz

Congrats on your new band!

Feeling no restriction after surgery, before the first fill, is completely normal. Some surgeons put a small amount of fill in at surgery (although, mine doesn't and I personally think it is a really bad idea to do that), but even with that, many people report having no restriction at all. Anyways, it often takes 3-4 fills before there is adequate restriction (although some lucky ones have restriction after just one or two fills). Thats why its called bandster hell: it just takes a lot of willpower and good choices. Also, after your first few fills, you may feel great restriction. But then, as you lose weight, the restriction may get less and you'll have to go in for another adjustment (this is because you're also losing the fat on your stomach as you lose weight, making the opening to the stomach wider).

Anyways, use this time to heal and take care of yourself! Good luck!

They call this part of your journey "bandster hell". You can do a search for it on here. It is called that because you have no restriction and you may not have restriction for up to 5 months, depending upon how aggressive your Dr. is with fills. I didn't feel restriction till about 5 months. It was hard for me to lose the weight until I did reach proper restriction...but i still lost 50-ish pounds the first 6 months.

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks guys!!

I was thinking it might be "bandster hell", but I thought it is too early. I was trying to be in denial....ha!!

I go to my surgeon on Monday and we will see what he has to say.

I know that I have no fill in my band right now as he doesn't fill at surgery.

I am leaving for vacay on 10/23 and hoping to get a small fill before...he usually does one at 4 weeks!

I was banded on the 23rd as well. I was getting pretty full on very little food. That is changing now. As the swelling goes down so does the feeling of restriction. Probably ok for me though. I was barely able to get in 400 calories per day until today. I am going to try to keep it at around 900 until I get a fill. My first fill will be done under flouroscopy. My Dr seems to have pretty good luck with getting some restriction with 2 fills.

Greg

I was banded 9/21 and have little restriction too! Sometimes I wonder if the band is even there! But I went to Chipotle today, and got a bowl and only ate 1/3 of it pureed, so I know I am somewhat restricted. However, I am usually hungrier before 4 hours is up.

Hey there.

I was banded Sept 11 this year and have just started feeling no restriction. Sounds like you guys heal faster than me!

My doc and nut both said not to be too concerned if I feel hungrier as the swelling has probably just gone away and with no fill there is very little to restrict the pre-surgery throughput.

The main advice they gave was to stick to a healthy diet and to watch the portion sizes. I'm finding that I'm eating just about a cup of food (give or take) and feeling full if I take it slow. The biggest problem is often about 1-2h later I'm hungry again. Apparently this is normal so I'm trying to come to grips with it all. I am assured that the hunger goes back to a slower distribution pattern once the fills put you in the green zone. No fill, no green zone!

All the best with your battle. All I can offer is Winston Churchill's famous line - "When you are going through hell, just keep going!".