Wow.. I am 5.5 weeks post op and was following all the directions and two weeks into post op found out that my band isn't even closed yet. Then the light switch went on and i was like omg... i can still eat what i want until they tighten my band 11.5.09 I have been eating regular food since. Yes i watch my portions. But am eating fast food just stuff that isn't good for me. It so depressing i read other threads and people that are 5 weeks post op are already down 20 pounds. i am only down 11 pounds. Co workers know that i have had procedure done and they watch me like crazy. They don't know that when i get off work i am rolling to a drive thru to get something to eat.

(Breathe) I NEED TO REFOCUS.. I get my first fill next week.. It's going to be a hard adjustment.

Can't believe i just put myself out there like that! :thumbdown: But i have to be accountable for my actions!!

This is very brave to put yourself out there, yes you need to refocus. I can see myself doing the same thing as you, I am only 4 days out & I am very hungry for some real food.

You are at the point that everyone refers to as "bandster hell" - right around 6 weeks. Your healing up nicely, and you haven't had your first fill, you have no restriction, so you are able to eat what you want & everyone that goes thru this asks themselves "what did I do this for?"

Just be easy on yourself. Eat a all of the Protein (high Protein shakes & lean meat) you are supposed to, that often keeps hunger at bay.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice.. :thumbdown: I feel like i got a load off my shoulders by just typing that lil paragraph. Feel like i am the poster child for lap band at work and home. It's hard everyone is watching.

For most of us, if we were any good at dieting, we wouldn't have needed a Lap-Band. I foil myself all too often, but I am happy that the weight I do lose tends to stay off and that I can't eat like a whole pizza or a triple order of fast food. Just re-focus and learn from it.

Also, be mindful that one fill will not be the cureall. It takes several fills and learning to live with the Lap-Band before it really does a lot of good.

Remember, the battle is mostly mental and you just need to keep on trying!

Best of luck to you!:thumbdown:

YES..you need to refocus. Remember what it took to get to the surgery date. Why would you want to eat fast foods just because you don't have restriction yet. Re-set your mind & goals and get back on schedule. Stay away from the drive thru of fast food places. They are poison to you.

Also, you need to know that it may take several fills before your band is closed enough to get to the sweet spot of regular losing. I am on my second fill and I can't tell I even have the band until I eat too fast or swallow big bites. It lets me know then and omg..the pain is terrible. So don't think that it's going to be okay at the first fill b/c it probably won't be.

Now, forgive yourself and refocus tonight. You can do it and you're not alone in this journey. Oh BTW, don't worry about your coworkers watching you....."YOU" watch you and take care of yourself.

Edited October 29, 200916 yr by LollyMoe

You are NOT alone. I just high the 5.5 mark and I am eating regular and not understanding what is going on. I didn't realize that a fill is going to effect me so much. I actually don't have one yet, but I can't wait to get one. Get back on track. I am not eating fast food, but I am starting to eat bread, rice and more carbs. Man, pizza is something that I have not had in months!

I am down 14 pounds and trust me, people watch me daily. I mean, I get asked how much I weigh every day! Its horrible. Keep posting, be true to yourself....

Thanks guys.. Also, thanks for heads up on first fill. Now what do i expect on my first fill. Is it up to me on how much it can be tighten? or is it the doctor that tells me?