I was banded on Nov. 9th and felt perfectly fine within about 2 days - except for the hunger pains. I am back to full exercise. I feel zero restriction and I haven't lost any weight because my poor stomach thinks I am cruelly starving it 24 hours a day.

My doctor told me I wouldn't feel much hunger during this time - not true at all. If it were for my almost healed scars, I would almost question if anything had even happened.

I meet with my doctor on Monday but just curious if anyone else has experienced this too.

It is often referred to as bandster hell....the time between surgery and restriction. I gained 12 pounds, so be careful to watch your calories and do exercise. Good luck with your upcoming appt, I hope they give you at least 5 cc fill as the new guidlines suggest.

Mimi

That's me. I was banded on the 11th. I was seriously hungry within 2 days of surgery and now I feel like I can eat everything and anything. I certainly haven't tried, so maybe I'm wrong, but I feel that way!

I was banded on Nov. 9th and felt perfectly fine within about 2 days - except for the hunger pains. I am back to full exercise. I feel zero restriction and I haven't lost any weight because my poor stomach thinks I am cruelly starving it 24 hours a day.

My doctor told me I wouldn't feel much hunger during this time - not true at all. If it were for my almost healed scars, I would almost question if anything had even happened.

I meet with my doctor on Monday but just curious if anyone else has experienced this too.

Be sure to get your Protein in. My doctor allowed me to have 8oz of Protein shake instead of 4 oz. You have to sip it really slow though. I did help a bit. If you are still on liquids it should help when you move up to the mushies. Make sure that you eat the high protein foods such as chicken and fish. And also make sure that you are getting your 64oz of Fluid a day. That helps with the hunger also.

Biggest thing is not to listen to your head. I have learned to distance myself from my head hunger and understand what real food hunger feels like. It's a hard thing to do but given practice you can do it.

I think just about everyone who has been banded experiences "bandster hell". In my opinion it is the most difficult part of the journey. Hang in there and avoid the temptations. Allow your body time to heal and do what the surgeon says and you should be ok.

Wow, antsea, I could have written your post! I say that all the time --I can feel the port and see my scars, but I swear nothing is in there! I was banded on 10/21 and I am hungry ALL the time. I take in about 70 grams of Protein a day and 80 oz of Water, so nothing seems to be working for me. I have no restriction and can eat bread, Pasta and rice (I had a freaking subway turkey sandwich on Friday night). Honestly, I have been making healthy choices on food, but I really need help with the portions, which is why i chose the band in the first place. I am seriously living in bandster hell right now. I have an appt on Dec 8 with the surgeon and from there he will decide if I need a fill (and that has to be scheduled, so I'm looking at Christmas time for a freaking fill).

I started out so well and now I'm in a bad place. I don't feel like I can do this..... I'm sorry you feel this way too. Hang in there!!

Juliansmon, please don't be down on yourself and make comments about not being able to do this. You CAN do it..it just takes a lot of work. You can't eat a lot of carbs (subway sandwich) and expect to lose too. Let go of those carbs, eat more protein. You can do it.....

I was banded on 10/29 and the same thing is going on with me. I am trying to limit my calorie intake and keep protein up. I get my first fill 11/30 so I am excited for that. Bandster Hell sucks!