I feel like I'm failing in "bandster hell"...

[BriBri90 0]

Hey everyone...

I'm really starting to feel like a failure, and I would like some insight as to whether or not what I'm going through is normal.

I had my surgery on March 26th of this year, so I'm a few days shy of 2 months post op.

I have my second fill scheduled for June 5th, and my first one was done on May 8th, and it was 3cc in a 10cc band.

For about a week after my first fill, I had really good restriction. After that week, I started to get very hungry.

I feel like I'm eating wayyyy more than I'm supposed to (approximately 8-9oz a sitting) because anything less keeps me feeling like I'm still very hungry. The satisfied feeling comes only after about 8oz or so.

I'm sure this is what everyone calls "bandster hell", but my question is, am I doing damage by eating that amount? I'm never uncomfortably FULL after I eat, I just feel satisfied after that amount.

I understand true restriction comes with time and fills, but in the meantime, am I causing damage? Am I streching my pouch? And how am I supposed to eat less if I'm still VERY hungry after 4oz?? As soon as I pass 4oz and keep eating more, I start feeling like a failure even though I'm not forcing myself, and its NOT head hunger.

Has anyone else went through this???

Any advice would be HIGHLY appreciated...:tongue2:

[Kristy29 0]

When I went for my seminar, I was told I would be eating 9 oz at each meal, so I don't think you are doing anything wrong.

Are you losing? As long as you are losing I think you are ok. And as long as the 9 oz you are eating are the right foods, and you are eating your Protein first, I think you should be ok. But I don't have my band yet so take all the with a grain of salt.

[ratchetjaw 0]

I Am going threw somewhat the same thing. I was banded 3 days before you and waiting in my third fill. I can eat almost 2 cups. My Doctor doesn't seem to think I am doing damage. My instructions from him was to eat a cup of dense Protein and I should be full. That is how he evaluates my fills

[gingerjane 5]

I was banded on 3/22 and had the same problem after my first fill. I felt like I could eat ANYTHING and everything. I even told them that at my last fill appointment (last week) and she went a bit more aggressive and gave me 1.5 more - so I'm at a total of 6.5 and let me tell you - HELLO RESTRICTION. Of course, I am praying that it stays that way, and so far so good. I can eat smaller amounts - I tend to do 3 smaller meals per day plus 1 or 2 Snacks. I try to keep my calories around 1000-1200 per day.

I think what you're going through is normal and you're not a failure. Plus, it's 3ccs. I have the 10cc band and the 5 barely did anything. Maybe ask for a more aggressive fill at the next appointment?

I saw your ticker and you're doing awesome! You've lost 37 pounds, which 1) makes me jealous :tongue2: and 2) is AWESOME! So, don't think you're a failure!

[BetsyB 9]

You're not a failure--you're just struggling. Lots of us do.

I can't answer the question about whether you're stretching your pouch. I can tell you that you were given guidelines for a reason, and it's a very good idea to stick with them.

And how am I supposed to eat less if I'm still VERY hungry after 4oz??

Simple. You just stop eating. You may be hungry, but none of us is going to die of the hunger we experience during bandster hell.

Truly, this is the last time you will be hungry in the name of weight loss. You can wait to lose until you have restriction--lots do, and that's your prerogative. But if you want to lose, you will be hungry.