I'm hungry!

[reginemichel 1]

I don't know what to do. I've been banded for about 3 weeks now. The 1st wk I was great, I felt like I had a lot of restriction. Week 2 the swelling went down and I still had a great amount of restriction. Now I'm only on my 3rd week and I feel like I can eat a house. Why am I feeling so hungry, starving, like an open whole in my stomach. The dam thing makes all type of noise and I'm passing gas all day long.(which piss me off because I haven't move my bowels for about a week.:crying:)

Anyways, this is the main issue when I was banded I came out of surgery with 2.5 cc fill. So I'm not sure why I feel so hungry ,I haven't eaten anything I wasn't suppose to. I've lost about 10lbs since surgery and flucuating 2-3 pounds daily. I know my port is still functioning because I still feel the slight pressure and i have a lot of gas. So what do I do now?:thumbup: (I feel really hungry every 2-3 hours.)

I won't see my doctor for another 2 1/2 weeks. I want to know if I'm doing somthing wrong:sad:.

Edited April 16, 2010 by reginemichel

[Dylanfan80 0]

Hi. I'm in the exact same boat. I'm entering my third week since the surgery and I'm super hungry as well. The first couple weeks, I couldn't eat much b/c I was so swollen. Now, I just want to eat everything, but I don't want to hurt myself. Today, I went to get some Slim Shots at Walgreens. I've read they curb appetite w/out making you feel like you're bouncing off the walls. Today was just my first day on them. So far, no change. I'm getting bored eating the same things over and over again. All I ever eat is 4 oz of refried Beans, or 4 oz of light cottage cheese, yogurt, pudding, blah, blah, blah. Trust me, I feel your pain! :thumbup:

[Shirley V 0]

your guys may want to call your doctors. They say have the band filled about 4-6 weeks sounds like you are ready for a fill.

The first fill doesn't hurt just make sure the doctor explains what kind of a feeling you should have when he/she fills it

[babsy 0]

I'm hungry too, and if I let myself could eat a huge amount. So frustrating.

I had 4ml put in during surgery. I wasn't hungry for 3 1/2 wks, had steady weight loss, and then looked forward to my first check-up and fill at 5wks. He put another 3.5ml in, and I feel no different. My next fill is booked for early May, and today I rang to get an earlier appointment, but couldn't. I didn't lose any weight for 2 wks, and since the fill have lost half a kilo. But I feel that is because I am trying so hard, without any help from the band.

I want it to be quicker. I know this is a life time solution, but I have an overseas holiday coming up in 9 wks, and want to buy new but smaller clothes for that. Aaaaghh, I'll just keep trying, and forgive myself for the odd slip up, which does happen sometimes when I'm hungry.

[Shirley V 0]

well I could kick myself because when I had my band filled I did not know what to expect and was scared and I thought I had enough fill and didn't because now I stay hungry all the time.

When I had my surgery he said they put air in not filler and he let the air out and put fill in on my first fill. I called his office back and was told it was normal to be hungry just eat

I cried for a couple of days because the hunger and not wanting to gain the weight back.

I am not happy you are hungry too but I am glad I have someone to talk to that is going through kind of the same thing

[♥Amy♥ 5]

your guys may want to call your doctors. They say have the band filled about 4-6 weeks sounds like you are ready for a fill.

The first fill doesn't hurt just make sure the doctor explains what kind of a feeling you should have when he/she fills it

With most surgeons they will not give a fill until you are at least 6 weeks post-op. The original poster did say she was only in her 3rd week. She can't go for a fill for another 3.

My only advice to you is to make sure you're getting lots of Protein. I am also 3 weeks post op and it hasn't been so bad for me. I eat Chobani fat free greek yogurt, FF cottage cheese, FF ricotta cheese with a little bit of Tomato sauce and then heat it up, I eat tuna fish or chicken salad from a can with a little bit of light mayo. Just make sure you mash it up good and chew it well.

I make my own hummus which is much lower in fat than store bought.

One can of garbanzo Beans drained

3 tbsp of lemon juice

a splash of fat free chicken broth

two garlic cloves

and paprika

add all ingredients in a food processor or blender except the paprika and blend until smooth. after add a dash of paprika for flavor and salt and pepper to taste. It's delicious and it's only about 2 grams of fat for 1/2 of that recipe. It's so good that I can just eat it with a spoon. :thumbup:

I drink 2 Protein shakes that contain 35 grams of Protein a day. I get them from the Vitamin Shoppe. Not sure if you have one near you. But if you do go in and get the Pure Protein Shakes they sell in a single serve can. Theyre already mixed. You just need to put them in the fridge to chill. I like the banana cream ones. I havent tried the choc or vanilla yet. I'm going to pick those up today.

Nutritional info on them is:

Calories 150

Fat 1g

Sugars 1g

Carbs 1g

Protein 35g

And one keeps me satisfied for quite a while.

Just make sure your meals have a good amount of protein in them and you'll find you'll be less hungry in between meals.

Good luck!

[gbakerc 2]

Sounds to me that you have no restriction. I didn't reach any level of restriction until I hit 7+ cc's. What you are going through sounds perfectly normal.

[illuminationlady 7]

I had the same problem and am just now getting the restriction needed. As other posters recommended just get enough Protein and drink a lot of Water. It was everything I could do to just maintain my weight during this period. Some call it Bandster Hell because you're soooo hungry and yet you have a band now. Take care. Best wishes!!!

[vlp1968 83]

I got my first fill after 4 weeks. It didn't do squat. I finally had restriction after 3 fills. At this time I have a fill scheduled a week from Monday and can't wait- I have been very hungry for the last week or so. Tried to get an earlier appt. but couldn't. Just the ups and downs of being a bandster I guess.

[PhdGirl 0]

Sounds to me that you have no restriction. I didn't reach any level of restriction until I hit 7+ cc's. What you are going through sounds perfectly normal.

You made me feel so good - Im hungry and eating like never before in fear of restriction later on. I had 3 cc put in 4 weeks post op and I dont think it helped much. Im beginning to think that all my food ruined the bnad somehow? Although I do feel some restriction... Is this normal?

Also I didnt feel anything when they put in the fill..???

[blue devil woman 0]

I had my 4th fill yesterday. I lost 11lbs after my 3rd fill. Before that hardlt NOTHING! it takes a while for some of us to get it working. I know that's hard to hear but it's true. I was banded Dec. 4th 09.

[PhdGirl 0]

I had my 4th fill yesterday. I lost 11lbs after my 3rd fill. Before that hardlt NOTHING! it takes a while for some of us to get it working. I know that's hard to hear but it's true. I was banded Dec. 4th 09.

(sigh of relief) thanks for that. At what point must you stop eating bread and all that?

[Shirley V 0]

omg all of these posts sure helped me. I was starting to feel alone. I was even mad because the doctors office wouldn't let me come back for more fill

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[LapNYC 3]

I was starving after surgery (almost right away) and after my first fill. I could eat anything and although I lost some weight, was feeling like my hungry old self. Fill #2 wasn't THE ONE either (I can tell) but it did make a big difference. After the first fill I was thinking about lunch as I was finishing up Breakfast (we were on vacation and there was great food) and now food isn't driving me. Hang tough, do what you can and don't beat yourself up. Just try not to do too much damage that you'll regret later. Have a little steak and some bagel for me though!

[Helen Bauzon 102]

I don't know what to do. I've been banded for about 3 weeks now. The 1st wk I was great, I felt like I had a lot of restriction. Week 2 the swelling went down and I still had a great amount of restriction. Now I'm only on my 3rd week and I feel like I can eat a house. :confused: Why am I feeling so hungry, starving, like an open whole in my stomach. The dam thing makes all type of noise and I'm passing gas all day long.(which piss me off because I haven't move my bowels for about a week.:thumbup:)

Anyways, this is the main issue when I was banded I came out of surgery with 2.5 cc fill. So I'm not sure why I feel so hungry ,I haven't eaten anything I wasn't suppose to. I've lost about 10lbs since surgery and flucuating 2-3 pounds daily. I know my port is still functioning because I still feel the slight pressure and i have a lot of gas. So what do I do now? (I feel really hungry every 2-3 hours.)

I won't see my doctor for another 2 1/2 weeks. I want to know if I'm doing something wrong:sad:.

At any time of the process, ensure you eat the correct texture to maximise the effect of the band, dry and solid food, everything else is too easy and will tend to cheat the band either high or low in calories, This early on in the program, you certainly need some fills.

The extra gas is from surgery, and some people it can take a few weeks to completely settle. Try and avoid Constipation, as this would make you even more bloated and uncomfortable.

You need to consider a laxative in consultation with your dr and slowly increase the fibre back into your diet to normalise your motions.

Good luck

Specialist Bariatric Dietitian

Helen Bauzon

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