When did Bandster Hell start for you?

[Birinak 19]

I'm a week post-op and I'm still not quite hungry. I can feel my stomach growl a few hours after a meal, but then I eat something small (e.g. 1 cup full liquid Soup or 100g yogurt) and I'm fine for another 3-4 hours.

I did have a fill during surgery, but people usually need a couple fills at least to get restriction. Are people's stomachs still swollen after a week? Do you think it is possibly the fill that's keeping me satisfied or is it stomach swelling?

Also, I haven't gotten sick yet, even after having two cups of cream soup once, so it makes me think the fill wasn't enough to give me restriction. I do sometimes get shoulder pain when I eat (but also at random times). I guess I won't really know if I have restriction until I'm at mushies.

So, the main question is: when did you enter Bandster Hell?

I'm really hoping that I've skipped it altogether, but I kinda doubt it!

[miri6ldl 0]

hey i was also banded a week ago. you probably wont get full on Soup because that goes right through your band so yea u wont feel it until u eat more solid food. i am already eating soft food and havent had any problems as long as i go slow and chew a lot. what exactly do you mean bandster hell?

[conservachick 0]

Hi there! First of all, congratulations on your band!!!

Secondly, YES - your stomach can still be swollen.. as a matter of fact, it could take a few weeks for swelling to completely go away.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'bandster hell' only because there are SEVERAL things that I consider to be challenging now that I've been banded and cause moments of 'hell' .... getting stuck being the worst! :thumbup:

When I was first banded, after several days, I was very hungry but really didn't feel like eating.. if that makes sense. ????

Anyway - YOU CAN DO THIS! I was banded May 11 and have lost 57 pounds... I only have 4.5 cc in my band... I guess I'm one of those that is really sensitive to the band and I don't need much in the "fills" department to do the trick... but I do my share of puking and feeling stuck, that's for sure!!!!!!!

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!

[Birinak 19]

From what I've read, Bandster Hell is the period before you reach restriction. I heard this hunger period can last until 3-6 fills even. Essentially, you're on a diet like before the band, even though you have a band. I.e. You are still hungry after 1 cup of food, but you're eating only 1 cup through will power. Many people say that they can eat what they want still and HOW MUCH they want without getting sick.

[Birinak 19]

Thanks for the encouragement, ConservaChick! Congrats on your great progress so far.

[sherun 1]

That is the definition of "Bandster Hell" as most people refer to it.. I was banded 3weeks ago, Just starting to get that this sucks feeling.. Still a little sore around my port, and don't really feel like exercising mostly lacking energy.. There are days I cannot stomach any more Protein Drinks, but finding the new things I can eat is a little scary.. very worried about gaining weight.. THe loss has slowed down, especially as I am adding more solids. I don't get my first fill until Sept 27. I am sure the Real Bandster Hell will start in about another week or so..

[zeniada 9]

I was in Hell during my clear liquid only week...I was always hungry but could only drink a little at a time then get hungry again 30 min later. Now that I am on full liquids i feel better and am not so hungry anymore

[2beskinny 4]

I was optimistic that I might have been one of the ones who would get by without a fill. I went ahead and had the first fill (it was scheduled at my post-op appointment) and I still felt fine - not a lot of hunger, etc. I cruised along pretty well until I hit about 6 weeks post op. Now I feel my "old" hunger returning. Cravings for bad foods, etc. I'm trying hard to hang in there and I'm trying to exercise more as it does help with my appetite. I had a few "bad" days and gained a little weight. I have gotten that off again and feel like I'm getting control back. Is this bandster hell? Oh yes, I'm certain it is. I am consumed by thoughts of food that I'm eating (and not eating) and feel like I could run the other direction at any minute! Hanging on is by sheer willpower - not the band. If i was not exercising, I would definitely not be losing still. I ran 2.5 miles yesterday morning and then went to Zumba (my first one....loved it!) last night. This morning I rode my bike 10 miles with a friend and then went to Zumba again tonite. I'm planning on running again in the morning because Saturday is too busy to work out. This is how I plan to get through bandster hell because damn it, I went through a lot to have this surgery and I can't give up! I felt like CRAP after I gained a few pounds. I thought I was done with that feeling forever. Needless to say, I can't wait for restriction! Less than 2 weeks till fill #2

[cannrun41 0]

I was banded on August 18th...after my "liver shrinking" diet and 2 weeks post op had lost 23 lbs. Since then I have gained three - went to docs today and he told me to toss the scales - as my clothes are getting loser and my belly smaller...doesn't make sense huh???

[Manda87 3]

I didn't really have bandster hell. I wasn't like "OMG IF I DON'T EAT I'M GONNA GO CRAZY!" Even three weeks out from my surgery, I would have a Protein shake and I would be soooooo full. I only lost a pound during the first month after surgery, but it's more important to heal than to lose weight during that time.

It will get better for you though. Now when I eat, I feel satisfied and then I go about my business. My relationship with food has totally changed.

[Manda87 3]

I was optimistic that I might have been one of the ones who would get by without a fill. I went ahead and had the first fill (it was scheduled at my post-op appointment) and I still felt fine - not a lot of hunger, etc. I cruised along pretty well until I hit about 6 weeks post op. Now I feel my "old" hunger returning. Cravings for bad foods, etc.

You really have to establish a difference between real hunger and head hunger. I think many bandsters struggle with that.

[2beskinny 4]

You really have to establish a difference between real hunger and head hunger. I think many bandsters struggle with that.

You are correct - we all must recognize the difference between the two! The point of my post was that my appetite had come back with a vengence at 6 weeks post-op...it is definitely real hunger vs. head hunger. However, I think that when we are really hungry, we can get into a red zone and make bad choices if "good choices aren't readily available. Let's face it, when we are hungry - we want to fix it fast! I know the value of keeping ready sources of Protein, yogurt, and cottage cheese stocked and ready to go for those moments. If you don't have good things around, the bad things will eventually call your name

[Beachbunny 5]

my hunger returned about 3 days ago...2 weeks post op...ugh. I started going to the gym again this week.

[BetsyB 9]

I had no fill at banding, and was hungry by Day 3--when I was allowed to reintroduce pureed Protein. It was not "head hunger"---it was stomach-growling, genuine hunger.

I white-knuckled it until my third fill, which gave me some restriction. But it took 4-5 fills to get to the point where the band was doing the trick as much as I was.

[jamelyn1979 1]

I'm in it right now! I go for my 1st fill today and I'm exactly 1 month post op. The past week has been very challenging for me to get through the days because I still have that hungry feeling shortly after eating. I am hoping to get relief today, however, I know most people don't really feel anything until the 2nd or 3rd fill.