jsea

How did you quit snacking? That is probably my biggest problem. I'm fine all day long until 7pm hits, maybe it's boredom more than hunger (actually I'm sure it is). What did you do to quit snacking?

Banded 8/22, first fill schedule for tomorrow, 10/4. Can't wait. Holding at 16 lbs. Can eat anything.

I feel the same way but I think it's because we haven't had a fill yet. We have no resetriction right now. I was banded 8/22 and my first fill is tomorrow (thank goodness). I think that once we start to feel some restriction it will get at least a little easier.

I'm at the same place as the both of you. I was banded 8/22 and get my first fill next Tuesday, 10/4. I too can eat anything and although I can by no means eat the size portions I use too, I can eat more than a cup. I am sticking to my calories but there are days I go above 1100 and feel so guilty. I haven't lost a single ounce since my first two weeks and am praying the weight will start coming off after my fill. So I too am interested in the replies.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I was banded on 8/22 and my first fill is scheduled for next Tuesday, 10/4. I cannot wait. I haven't lost a pound since the first two weeks (and have been sticking to my daily 1100 calories) like clockwork. All my best to you!!

I am 4 weeks post op, I get my first fill on October 4th. It seems like I have no problem eating foods. Now don't get me wrong I am eating the right kinds of foods and the right amounts (oh and right calories) but it doesn't seem like there is anything I cannot get down. I can even drink large amounts of water. I'm assuming after my first fill this will all change?? I'm asking because it seems like even though I can't eat the same amount of food, that I can still eat the same foods I ate before surgery and nothing seems to be hard to digest.

Thank you so much Helen098 for that information. You are right, I also don't feel like we are always told what we need to know. Most of the information I got has been from this site. I was not told anything about weather to expect or not to expect weight loss after the surgery prior to my fill. I was also told not to worry about calories right now (until my fill) to just worry about getting food down. Well I can eat a lot of calories (maybe not as many as before but enough) so I went online to see how many calories I should be eating with my current weight and have been sticking to righ around 1000 - 1200. For all I know that's too many calories. I just feel uninformed about the process prior to your first fill and your message has really helped!! Thank you bobrocky also, now I don't feel like I am one of the abnormal ones!!

Thank you all for your posts. I am actually 5 weeks post op not 4 (I mis spoke on my original post). I think I know how the restriction process works and that it may take a while to feel restriction. What I really wanted to know is will I be eating less after my fill? Right now I can eat over a cup of food without feeling anything and although I stop myself at a cup, I just want to be reassured that after my fill I will feel satisfied after a certain amount of food?

I think it's very common to feel "lost" and/or "down" that first week or two. I am almost five weeks out and the first two weeks were hell for me. I just wasn't myself, was angry at the world and really just had mixed emotions. Thankfully that all went away after two weeks. I feel fantastic now, never better actually. I promise it will get better for you too. Hang in there!!

Hello!! Everyone is different but I needed every bit of a week off. I didn't even remotely start feeling myself until day 5. Best of luck to you

I do not get my first fill for two weeks (October 4th) but I also have the same questions as you and am looking forward to hear people's response. I too am hungry between meals. Usually I'm OK for two hours then my hunger kicks in. Sooooo looking forward to my first fill. All my best!!

I lost 16 lbs my first week and not a pound since. Just like many people, I was told the first month is a time for healing but I wasn't told anything regarding weight loss during that month. I was devestated last week when I got ont he scale and it didn't move. I then posted on hear asking if it's normal not to lose anything and I realized it is very normal and that some people even gain. I guess what I don't understand is if we are not eating like we use too, why aren't we losing weight right now and why does having a fill make you lose weight?

Actually I had my two week post-op follow-up yesterday and I am now on mushies for two weeks then onto regular foods. Thank you all for your words of wisdom, god knows I'm so new to this and do not really know what to expect other than weight loss. I spoke to my doctor yesterday and like all of you, she said this is a time of healing not a time of weight loss and until my first fill I can't and shouldn't expect any weight loss. So I am going to stop worrying about it and instead concentrate on healing, exercising and doing the best I can. You are all amazing, thank you so much!!!!

Hello everyone! I have a question, I am two weeks post op today and I am now feeling hungry after meals. I am controlling my hunger and only eating (drinking) what I am suppose too but is it normal to feel hungry prior to my first fill? Also, I lost 16lbs the first week and the second week I lost nothing. Am I doing something wrong??

I did not qualify for my insurance to pay for lapband so I am a self pay. Always an option if you want it badly enough and insurance won't cover it Good luck to you!!!!

I am two weeks post op today and I had (and some days still have) moments where I feel sad/depressed because I can't eat like everyone else and there are times I feel so hungry and am irritated that all I can do is drink a Protein Shake or eat some soup. Then I get angry/cranky because I don't want to feel hungry. But then again, I lost 16lbs my first week, it would have taken me months to lose that without the band. I think it's really a mental thing. I talk to myself constantly reminding myself that food isn't everything, that I am tired of being overweight, etc. etc. I have to believe that this will get better in a month or so. Hang in there!!!! You made the right choice, it may just take a little more time than you'd like to believe that!!!

Hello Peacefulband. I was/am concerned about the same thing. I am two weeks post op, lost 16lbs the first week and nothing the second week. I am freeking out wondering if I am doing something wrong. People are assuring me that the first month is NOT about weight loss but is about healing. There are people that will lose a ton of weight the first month and then there are those who will lose very little to nothing. I was told that the real weight starts coming off after the first fill. Hang in there!!!!!

I don't know about all of you (banded recently) but I am SO READY to chew again. LOL!! I have been on liquids for 9 days and would give anything for a scrambled egg or cottage cheese!! I have my two week follow up appt next Tuesday and am hopeful she will tell me I can start "mushies". Hope you are all hanging in there

Hello everyone, yes it's true, much to my disbelief I stepped on the scale this morning, exactly 7 days to the hour of my last weight in prior to surgery and I am down 16 pounds. It was one of the most amazing moments in my life. I actually stood there staring at the scale and all I could do was cry. Happy tears of course but I literally cried for 5 minutes. I actually stepped off the scale and stepped back on because I wasn't sure I was believing what I was seeing. It is the most amazing feeling in the world. There is no doubt that the past week hasn't been easy, a fair amount of pain and discomfort and all liquids, but when you see something like this, it makes it all sooooo worth it. I know I won't lose this kind of weight each week, I probably won't ever lose this much again, but to see it one time makes it such a great start for me. Just wanted to share my happiness will all of you out there. God bless you all!!!!

I was banded with Plication last Monday, 8/22 and as of this past Monday, 8/29 I lost 16 pounds. I did not have a high BMI going into this either. I don't know about you but I've never in my life lost this kind of weight in one week. I was a self pay and I'm from Pittsburgh. My surgery cost $16,500 which I ended up taking out a personal loan for. In my mind, my health is much more important to me than the cost. Best of luck,

I have to see if anyone can tell me what it is I'm feeling or if I should just call the doctor and ask. I was banded last week on 8/22. I am about 95% healed, meaning I almost feel back to my old self with one exception, every night between 1 to 4 what feels like my stomach starts to hurt so bad. I don't know if it is heartburn?? I never had heartburn before. I keep a heating pad on it and it soothes it a bit but not enough to fall back asleep. Has anyone every experienced this before or know what the pain could be caused from?

Thanks for the explanation Rosie. No, it doesn't at all feel like acid. And I do not eat after 6:00pm typically unless it's a sugar free popsicle around 8:00pm. It is a painful discomfort. I'm hoping it's just gas. Still waiting for the doctor to call me back.

Yes I agree, it doesn't feel like what I would think heartburn would feel like, maybe it is gas pains. I have a call into the doctor and waiting for a call back.

Hello Everyone. Well I’m 5 days post op, I was banded on 8/22/11. I must admit, it was a lot more pain than I thought it would be but the hospital was wonderful. The second and third days were by far the worst and everyday I feel better and stronger. I am only able to eat (or drink I should say) 300 calories a day. I should be getting 400 to 800 but my stomach is just still to swollen for any more. I have been making sure I drink all my Water and I walk around as much as I can. The Gas X have really helped with the gas. This journey is an amazing one, I’ve learned the past week that it’s going to take work because although your stomach says one thing our brain says another. I am looking forward to my new lifestyle and I wish you all the best. To all the Pre-Op patients, all I can say is give your body time to heal and remember to drink/eat slowly. SO very important!!!

Some days I feel like I have energy and somedays (like yesterday) I feel completely drained. I know it is because there are days I can't get in 400 or 500 calories and when I walk on top of that and end up only having a couple hundred calories left that I've actually taken in during the day it leaves me with zero energy. I know this will change when my body allows me to start eating more. (I lost 16 lbs in my first week) so I know I'm heading in the right direction, it would just be nice to have a little energy to go with it.