Shackwacky

You are 12 days post op? I would imagine you are still on fluids, or mushies. I found soup to help, because it felt (in my head) more like a meal.

Thats the second time I have heard you mention "some great advice from my nutritionist". Can you share?

Have you had your thyroid checked?

I was week three, and I specifically wrote and asked my nurses. They said go, enjoy.

Ha ha, never mind. In my head, I was assuming that swelling would lead to a feeling of being MORE full, or MORE restricted. I couldn't figure out how, as the swelling went away, that could then lead to a feeling of being more restricted as well. I must have heard someone wrong.

Same thing happened to me, I understand its because the swelling is going down and your body is healing. I don't know if it will be the same way for you, but I have been able to eat a cup of food easily ever since I finished my liquid phases, and in fact as time goes by I am getting hungrier faster after I eat. They say its normal and not to sweat it this early.

I did not mean that in a derogatory way at all. What I was trying to say is that sometimes people are here for support, encouragement, sympathy, understanding....not necessarily to be educated or told what to do.

Thanks, but no, that wasn't why I was asking. i was told that I would likely not feel much difference after the fill so I wasn't really expecting it. My question is: How can a band be filled on say, the 1st day of the month, and not "kick in" till say, the 14th of the month? This is what I have heard a number of posters mention. So what is happening in that 13 days in between. If it is swelling I would think the restriction would "kick in" even more, not less. And if there is no swelling or anything like that, what is the delay between the fill and the "kick in"? It is totally and simply out of curiousity. The science is escaping me.

I had an office gala/dinner party to attend. I knew it was going to be tough, so I made up a reason to be slightly more than fashionably late. I arrived as they were clearing the tables, and in time to order a cup of tea instead.

Thats interesting. But if its something thats causing tightness, (swelling, colds etc) how could this lead to a LATE kick in? I am thinking it would more likely cause a late kick out? I had my first fill and didn't feel any change at all. I can't see how that may change further out, but it would seem that a number of people here have that happen. Has anyone ever talked this over with their doctors?

I appreciate everyone's input here, but I do understand why some of the newbys may feel put off. I have posted a few times for advice or just out of curiousity, and you do get bombarded with "eat portions, measure, Protein first, drink water" etc etc. Honestly, I know all those rules, i got the same reading material you all did when I signed up for this. And I read it, talked it over with my doctor, I meet with my nutitionist.... Still, when I post that I am curious as to how many fills it took to hit the "green zone" instead of getting answers like oh for me it took 3 fills, I get "eat more protein!, eat protein first!, drink lots of water!," and so on. Alot of nutrition advice that - while well meaning - it didn't answer my question at all. And realistically I have to defer to my nutritionist on what I eat. I was just feeling a bit down that day, and wanted to hear "oh it gets better...." We aren't all here to be educated by the old timers. I did my own research, as I am sure most everyone did prior to being banded. I think sometimes people (like in this thread) simply need to be reassured that they aren't the only person going through this, not the only person to be wondering what the heck they put out $15 grand for when it's "not working", not the only person wandering around the house hungry enough to eat the family pet Instead, there are multiple posts that read something like this. "The band is only a tool. You have to count calories, measure portions, drink Water, exercise, and stay away from junk food. For the rest of your life! " Then it continues, "Yes, you will be hungry! But you need to WANT to be thin......" Ummmm, to me that sounds like the diet from hell. The one I simply could not stick to, the one that finally convinced me to make that call. It sounds like not only do you have to have enough willpower to stick to 1000 non fat calories a day, you have to do it while knowing that you have spent 16k on a tool that you are now hearing won't do a thing for you unless you are that dedicated dieter who can survive on two peanuts and a breadstick for lunch I am in constant contact with my nurses, and I meet with a nutritionist. They tell me that it will indeed get easier, that while it's hard at first it will eventually NOT all boil down to willpower. That at some point I will hit that sweet spot and I won't be hungry between meals. And yes, sometimes this part is "glossed over" by the WL clinics, so it can come as a bit of a shock to the newbys to find that they aren't that one lucky patient who can lose 20 pounds a month without ever getting a fill (face it, we all thought we would be that person). My two cents. As a newby and someone who really likes the forum here.

I am curious --- how can it take two weeks for a fill to "kick in"? It would seem to me that if the Fluid is injected into the band, the band is fuller. That would put that much more restriction into place. How can this take two weeks? Is it a swelling thing? Is it in the mind? Please note: I am not asking for advice nor questioning doctors orders. I am not complaining about how I feel about my own fill. I am just curious how something that seems to be a+b=c could have a delay factor.

Congrats! and what is a hula scramble ?

Oh yes, I love quinoa! Will have to make that again. Thanks again for all the replies, food for thought ha ha.

I know this has been asked here before, but it's hard sometimes to figure out what a thread is about by the title. As you've likely guessed, I am in that in between state. I had my first fill last week, but I don't feel any difference at all. I have 3.5 cc in a 10cc band. I am only five weeks post op, so I am not expecting miracles either I do miss the still-swollen restriction though - I lost 6 pounds in the first month and then bam! You can eat solids again! Now its a daily struggle to stay at that 1000 to 1200 calorie mark each day. I get hungry about an hour after I eat what feels like itty bitty meals lol. I have pretty good eating habits, low fat mostly, vegetarian, whole grain etc. But I am a volume eater and always have been. Too much good for you food is still too much! So, how many fills did it take for each of you? I need inspiration here. At what point did you go, oh hey, I see how this thing works! Christmas has me worried................................

Hi Lilly -- I am having the same thing. Tho I did have my first fill (.5cc) a few days ago. I am told it may take some time to get nicely restricted...hang in there

Oh, I am working with a nutritionist and she's very helpful. Like I said further up, I eat eggs, cheese, nuts etc. for my proteins -- and occasionally fish. That key lime yogurt sounds like something I could get into too! My question was more for educational reasons, so many people have said that I need to get more protein in, and I was trying to figure out if we actually meant protein or solids. I think we mean solids when we say proteins, as there seem to be all sorts of slider mushies that can also technically be called protein. In any event, I do think I need to try and find more of these (solids) and that can be a challenge as a vegetarian. I used to get all my protein from veggie sources, but that involved eating huge amounts of food on a regular basis. I think that is why I am having so much trouble with portions too. Sigh. I WILL get this

Thank you, this is really helpful.

Oh I don't eat those foods (can't stand the yogurt). I was just wondering how the band discerned one from the other if it was just based on Protein content and not texture/density/chew factor.

Oh that's all good to hear. I actually work during the day, and its easier there to stick to plan (no fridge in the office)! When I am home is a different story. Now another (related) question....when you all say "protein" are you actually meaning meat or solid Protein like that? Because I can't figure out how my band can tell the difference between chicken broth (4 g) and tea (0), or greek yogurt (18g) and pudding (2 g). How can the protein rich food keep you full longer if its the same amount of food and the same density?

Thanks for the replies ---- I am one of those people who didn't tell anyone about my band, so sometimes it feels like I have no-one to talk to

So... the question was, how many fills did it take before you had an "aha" moment.? I am not trying to shortcut, or complaining, I am just hungry and curious how long it took other bandsters.

Oh I am doing the protein thing okay, though its harder for a vegetarian. I eat a lot of beans and legumes, cheese, eggs etc. My problem is not what I eat, it's how I feel an hour later lol. (Hungry and watching the clock to see if the next meal is any closer)! I haven't lost any more weight going back to real food, but I haven't gained (yet) either. Christmas has me worried though, all that good food and all that time off!

I went back to work 6 days post op -- and still felt pretty out of sorts for a few days after that. I think about ten days I decided I would survive after all Hang in there, the first few days feel really long, but it gets better.

Heh. I have inlaws coming for Christmas, so I can see that may become my problem then. I don't know if I can handle Christmas with them and without the booze!