Four Weeks Post-op and Hungry!!

[bbammom 0]

I had my LAP-BAND® surgery on 8/30/10. During the first ten days post-op, I lost 9 pounds and I haven't lost any weight since. For the first 2.5 weeks my body "told" me exactly when and how much to eat so I was OK with that...until now.

I've been hungry for the past few days. I have an appointment to see my doctor on 10/5 but called today to see if I could get in earlier. He's out of the office next week and, even though they offered for me to see another doctor, I decided to wait and stick with my surgeon.

During my pre-op process, the nutritionist had me on a "one cup" diet, eating one cup of food every 2-3 hours. No liquids 30 mins before or after. I'm thinking about just going back to that again until my appointment.

Has anyone ever had this experience? Any advice/support would be greatly appreciated!!

[JanB23 23]

I was banded same day as you. I have good and bad days. Today i am not hungry but my stomach is rumbling and i feel the need to eat. Yesterday i felt hungry most of the day, eating only kept me happy for short periods. I lost about 26 lbs (12 kl) pre op but have only lost about 10 lb (5 kl) post op and the scales seem to have come to a stand still. I believe this is quite normal though and something most people struggle with until they start getting fills. I dont see my surgeon until Oct 5th as well. My biggest challenge is chocolate is calling out to me, i crave sugar. Strange because i have been off it for nearly 9 weeks now. Oh well, have a glass of Water and go for a walk and then it will be time to cook dinner.< /p>

[bbammom 0]

Wow, we have so many things in common! Even though I was told this would likely happen, it's comforting knowing that this is "normal."

Before I decided to have the surgery, I lost 15 pounds. Once I decided to have it and had the medical/nutrition support, I lost another 35 pounds for a 50 pound pre-op lost. I've lost only 9 pounds since surgery. The other day my son asked me how much more I want to lose. I told him I hadn't set that number, I'm just taking it as it comes, but I'm thinking another 40 pounds.

I'm almost positive I'll have a fill on the 5th. How about you? I've heard that it might take several fills to find the so-called "sweet spot." At this point, I will just be really happy to have some of a fill because this hunger has me concerned!

What does your diet consist of at this point? My doctor wants me to get in 60-90 g of Protein, appx 800-1000 calories, and at least 64 oz of Water. I tried lettuce last week and that didn't sit well, nor did watermelon. The only thing he really restricted me from is bread, and of course, the unhealthy stuff.

I hope your day continues to be a good one! I'm hoping for a better one tomorrow!

[JanB23 23]

Well done on your weight loss.I have no idea if i will get a fill when i see the surgeon, i'll find out on the day i suppose but it is only a short appointment i think.

I have been on Protein Shakes for Breakfast and specially designed frozen Band meals for lunch and Tea. I am now starting meals with puree meat - which seems odd because the meat in the band meals is not pureed. So soft meats and well cooked vegies i think. Recommended to keep to around 500g of solid food per day and drink 1.5litres of Fluid. I will try to stick to 700 to 900 Calories daily. I try to walk daily but have had a sore foot so have been restricted for a few days. I need to loose at least another 60lbs.

[bbammom 0]

I forgot to mention meat, I guess because I don't eat red meat or pork. If I did, I couldn't have those either. I can have "softer" meats, e.g., poultry, seafood. My doctor and nutritionist want me to puree my food with my teeth...chew, chew, chew. I do shakes for breakfast too, mostly because they're fast and easy to drink on the way to school. (I teach.) And, they make sure I start my day with 20g of Protein.

I woke up this morning feeling more hopeful. I'm going to go back on my pre-op "one cup diet" today. I have Water next to me and right now, I'm heading out for a walk. Since I live in Hawaii, every day is a good day to get outside! But, I am ready to get the go ahead to swim and/or go to the gym.

I was at 700-900 calories a day. It's been a lot harder to keep that up the last few days so I'm up a bit now. I try not to weigh every day and have decided to make Sunday my at home official weigh in day.

[OneYearLater 14]

I'm 3 weeks post op and was really struggling with the hunger. I was pretty much at a standstill and even gaining some weight back and forth. I decided to play around with my calories to find what worked for me. My dr. said 3 meals a day....no Snacks. I was at about 600-800 and not losing at all and miserable from the hunger. Little by little I edged myself up to about 1000-1300 by adding a couple more Protein Drinks (Muscle Milk Light) in between meals (one a little before I go to sleep at night) and I've started losing weight again at a great rate and am WAAY less hungry. Satisfied, but not stuffed...and not having to deal with the grumbling all the time. Don't know if that will help you, but it sure has helped me.

Edited September 25, 2010 by ElectricGypsy

[JanB23 23]

It is cold and wet and miserable here. It does not encourage me to get out but i try to force myself. Now that my foot is better i will definitely go for a walk to today. I have been parking my car as far away from the office as i can so i get a little extra exercise morning and evening. My surgeon does post op exercise classes and i will be booked in for those at my next appointment. I also see the Dietician again on the 5th October so will be able to discuss what i should and shouldn't eat. Right now i am going to have my breakfast shake.

I am on antibiotics because one of my incision sites just wont heal up and i think that is adding to my rumbling stomach. I will have some yogurt at lunch and see if that helps.

I can not resist weighing each morning but should follow your lead and only weigh once a week. My weight is still holding steady.

Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine.

Edited September 25, 2010 by JanB23

[bbammom 0]

ElectricGypsy,

Thanks for your input!! I increased my calories too, to about 900-1000 calories a day. I feel so much better! I've also started to walk more which helps too! But, my weight still hasn't changed in 3 weeks. I'll be so happy to have that first fill!!

[bbammom 0]

JanB23,

I hope your weather improved! I walked twice yesterday, 2 miles each time. I'm a big walker so walking such little distances is a bit discouraging. I usually walk 3-5 miles a day but it's been slow building back up the mileage. I had signed up to walk the Honolulu Marathon in December but now I know that's just not realistic! Oh, well, it'll all come back in time!

I started the week not weighing in every day but that slipped by Thursday! lol It's a bad habit, I know, but it could be a lot worse! I've broken so many habits, created new ones, so this one seems minor compared to others!

Today is our 4 week surgery anniversary!! I haven't really lost any weight in several weeks but I'm staying positive and counting the days until my 10/5 appointment! I'm still at a total of 60 pounds lost and that absolutely thrills me!!!! Besides, maybe it will help in the lose skin department!

That's awesome that your doctor has a post-op exercise program! That's a great idea to pass along to my place.

I hope you're having a wonderful day!! :smile:

[JanB23 23]

The sun came out on Sunday so i grabbed the kids (14 & 16) and headed to the Zoo to see the Pandas. We walked around for 4 hours and i barely needed to sit and rest which is amazing because 8 weeks ago i would have been in pain with my back after 10 minutes. So i am really feeling the benefits of the weight i have already lost which is 17 kilo (37.5 Lbs) The scales reflected my efforts yesterday but have gone back up today. It is very frustrating. And yes i am still weighing daily, cant help it. 60 lbs is a great weight loss, cant wait to get to that figure. My foot is sore again now but i will need to ignore it and try and go for a walk again after work tonight, it will be much easier when daylight saving kicks in and it warms up a bit. We just need to be strong and patient till will get our fills. Enjoy your day.

Yes post op exercise program is included in the co payment - six classes in total and then i think you can pay to continue and that can include Water exercises i believe, but that is with another hospital that has teamed up with my group. They also have a support group but i wasn't able to get to the last one which would have been my first meeting.

Edited September 27, 2010 by JanB23

[Momto3redheads 18]

Hang in there...that's why they call it bandster hell...you are hungry and miserable until you get to your "sweet spot". I actually gained a couple pounds post op before my first fill at 6 weeks post op. But after my second fill things were trucking and it has been great ever since..you will get there, just hang in there!

[lml398 0]

Im so glad i found this post, I was feeling like a failure as ive only lost 5kgs since surgery 30/8 and doing everything right but the scales still staying the same.I feel a lot better that this is normal now.

Luckily i have my 1st fill tomoro and dietitian as well hopefully that will help.

I am brides maid in 4 weeks and hoping to loose some more.

Good luck to everyone

[bbammom 0]

Kim,

Thank you for your encouraging words! It's so comforting to know I'm not alone!! I was getting down thinking of how well I lost pre-surgery and how little I've lost post-surgery! Now that I know it's "normal," I can be more patient!!

Wonderful stats! You're an inspiration to those of us who are just starting this new lifestyle!!

Aloha!

[bbammom 0]

lml398,

Glad you found us! I know I feel a lot better knowing that what I am going through is "normal."

Now there are three of us here with the same surgery date. Our next appointments happen to be on the same day, 10/5. I tried to make it earlier but my doc isn't in this week.

I've love to know how your first fill and nutrition appointment goes tomorrow! Post if you have the chance.

Aloha!

[bbammom 0]

JanB23,

Awesome that you got out and walked today!! Sounds like fun! Are your children on holiday from school? I'm hoping to walk tonight but it looks like it's about to pour rain right now! Of course, weather is a rare excuse here!

I'm a teacher so I try to get out and play with my students as much as possible. I even dress in P.E. clothes on P.E. days! They are a lot of fun. My husband and I have three sons and they have been so sweet and supportive. Some days I feel like I have to drag them out to hike but they love it as soon as we start.

Wonderful weight loss for you too! That's about the time that I really had to go shopping for more clothes!

My hospital has a support group but it's on Mondays during school time. They also have a pre- and post-op, or just healthy eating, group on Wednesdays but, again, during school! Just yesterday it dawned on me to check other local hospitals to see what time their groups meet. It's nice having the group here to "talk" to. Did you see there is another post from someone who has our same surgery date?

Enjoy your evening!

~Aloha!