Okay so I realize most of us are just people going thru life tryng to lose weight and do this band thing. I wont hold any one legally responsible for advice etc. I had my realize band done on the 28th of May. I still have my staples and everything. SO... I wont get my first fill for about four weeks(6 weeks post op). Am I supposed to be less hungry NOW before I get a fill at all?(Just from the band) or is it normal to be really hungry untill I start getting fills and reach that eventual "sweet spot" then once I hit that spot, will I get used to that "sweet spot" need more fills till I hit it again? Then what happens when I get as filled as my band will go? Does any one know how many cc's a realize band takes? I am doing well on the diet but man it is a struggle. I was private pay and on top of it i just feel like I went thru too much (surgery etc) to not make this a success. I am scared to death once the honey moon phase is over with this thing I will start gaining again. Any body got any good advice and answers for me? Thanks and God bless.

I'm 8 weeks post-op. I'm still looking for that sweet-spot! I had my first fill 3 weeks after the surgery. I started to get hungry about 2 weeks after my surgery but was still careful about what I ate. After my first fill, I was pretty uncomfortable for a couple of days but could still eat... just less. Then after 2 weeks from that first fill, I started getting hungry again, but was doing a major "no-no" and drinking while eating. I got in the bad habit of that because I was noticing things getting stuck and wanted to be sure it was going down. I got my second fill a week ago and am now battling with not being able to tolerate anything but liquids. I've lost 8 pounds in a week because I can't eat anything solid. I think I need to have a little taken out. But as luck would have it, my Dr. is on vacation till next week! It looks like it's going to be some trial and error for me. But I know several people who have had success with this surgery and say they only get hungry when it's time for their next meal, can eat the foods they like, just much less of them.

Just hang in there, you'll be able to tell a difference after you get a fill, just be careful you don't end up in my situation!

I was banded on 3/30/09. I didn't feel any hunger for about 3 weeks. Then I was hungry. My first feel was 6 weeks post-op. Didn't have any restriction. My second fill is tomorrow. I am very hopeful that I will have some restriction. Because right now, I can eat anything. The period between 2-3 weeks post surgery till your first/second fill is called "Bandster's Hell." It requires lots of willpower (at least for me it did). You will make this a success. Remember that the band is just a tool for us. We still have to keep working. I keep reminding myself of that. I want this to be the magic pill with little effort on my part, but it "ain't" so... We'll make it through. This forum/blog is wonderful, and I have learned more from all these people than my doctor's office. It's invaluable to all of us. Best wishes, and God Bless You!

I had my surgery 11 months ago. I have made a terrible mistake of not going often enough for fills. I have a Realize band, and have had 4 fills. I had one today, and I can already tell that it is not going to make much difference as far as hunger goes. The way I see it is that I still experience the hunger, but I just cannot eat as much. My stomach even growls, but when I start to eat, I just can't. I really thought the band would curb hunger, but for me it does not.