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Well, I am now 4days since I have been banded. I have not been hungry at all. I have had the gas rumblings which at first I thought were hungar pangs, but I realized, I am not hungry! I have been strict with the liquid diet using sugar free Jello as my lunch/dinner. I used to be able to eat 2 cups without a thought. I can now only eat a spoon full (slowly) and feel satisfied. My biggest challenge through the process at this time is figuring out if I am really hungry or if I only THINK I am hungry. I am constantly sipping on liquids, popsicles and broth and so far I am down 12lbs~ and feeling satisfied!! I have more energy believe it or not. I am still taking pain meds, but instead of every 4 hrs, maybe 3xs a day ( when I wake up, late afternoon and bedtime). I don't have too much pain except when I lay down to rest. Something I was shocked about was right after surgery moving to recovery. I had A LOT of pain, but they got my pain meds connected and it went from a level 9-10 to a 2 in minutes. I am absolutely glad I researched my doctor and am absolutely happy with the care I received at the hospital. They were so accomadating and I didn't feel like I was bothering the nurses at all. In fact, they were part of my cheering section

Night coughing is one of the signs you are too tight. If it is only one type of food that makes it happen, just avoid that food. If it happens with many types of food, go get a very tiny bit of fill taken out.

Eating too fast may be it along with not eating the right foods. Anything breaded always gives me trouble so I avoid it. I usually take a bite the size of a pea, chew it until it can't be chewed anymore, swallow and then wait about a minute before taking the next bite. I also put down my fork/spoon while waiting. I know it sounds tedious, but maybe that will help.

Just like anything, this is a tool. You don't understand the whole concept of it being a "tool" until you get banded. A lot of people go in to the surgery thinking the band is going to solve all their problems. This is DEFINITELY not the case. It takes hard work and extreme dedication. I'm not saying the other patients didn't have that, but I truly believe the band works if you are willing to do "the work". And its hard. Its a mind struggle a lot of the time and its frustrating at times. Dedication is the key!

I'm not gonna comment on you doing your own fills, but why even bother to post that you are if you didn't want negative comments?

im sorry say, but i think you are crazy to do your own fills, Im sorry but i can not not say anything. You stole from your Dr's office on top of it. You say unexperienced dr's doing your fills, well what do you think you are? this post makes no sense and i can not even believe it, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??????

I have to agree with Debora Ann, this is part of what you change in your eating lifestyle when you have the band. I would not get an unfill. I would instead adjust to the band rules much more. I have begun to eat with my daughter's baby spoon and fork because that IS the size of a bite you should be taking.

Love this post! I thought I had restriction before first fill. Ha! It was about me being too afraid to not make good choices after surgery. After my 3rd and last fill for now, that I truly understood restriction. I have 7 ccs now and last week Dr didn't do another fill saying I was okay & didn't need one. I have lost 61 since Feb 7th, 2011. I'm happy too with my level of restriction. I've gone thru my partner (fat) leaving me which would have meant binging before band. I'm changing and my life is changing. I understand that fills change as we lose. Restriction is awesome and feel so grateful. As I go forward being a single Mom, I'm so glad I can be more active with my kids & hopefully meet someone more suited to who I am becoming. Fat pads change and so do we!

thank you... this will be helpful when I get my lapband. Take care!

You're way too tight. Get an unfill. And understand that you will likely have to have 0.75-1.00 cc taken out and not just 0.25 cc. You've caused a lot of swelling by pbing and by not being able to eat, which is why you need more taken out. If your Dr insists on only taking out 0.25 then you need a new Dr. Get the full fill taken out that you had put in plus a little bit to help with the swelling. Then you'll have to wait at least four weeks before you get another fill - to allow your body to heal. Do not rush the process. You should be able to eat 1-2 CUPS of food per meal - not 0.25 cups. And you should be able to eat a normal bite of food like chicken. If you can't easily eat solid Protein then you're too tight. If you have to break food down to such a small size (half a pinky) then you are too tight and you will not get enough nourishment. In summary - you are way too tight and you need an unfill. Remember, the band isn't about restriction or not being able to eat. It's about staying fuller longer on less food (because you eat slower).