NOW WHAT...The 1st 6wks....

[Elana 0]

Hello fellow "banders"~

I am brand new to this site and pretty much to the band. I was banded on 3/29/11 by Dr. Johnson in Rochester, NY. There are some issues that I'm hoping to get some help with.

Like I said, I'm 3 wks post op and I'm feeling very... blah! I'm done with the liquid, the soft and now I'm beginning the lifestyle diet. I have lost 8lbs and that's it! As I read on here I see that people are kinda saying the same thing. Has somebody out there had the same thing happen? I feel like I can eat anything (just about) and I don't really see a decrease in portion! I'm scheduled for the 1st fill on May 24th, which seems like forever away.. any words of wisdom out there?

[isit5yet 37]

Until your first fill, it's very tough to start eating and preparing for what life will be like after you get to the correct fill level for yourself. You probably have very little Fluid in your band right now that was left over from priming it during surgery. That sometimes keeps your hunger at where it was before. One thing I did was to tell myself was that just because I could eat like I did, didn't mean I should. I also was self-pay, so laying down 16K does the trick for me to eat the way I should.

Maybe look at it as practice for when you are filled. I was filed 6 weeks post op and had already 6 weeks of "practicing" how to cook and serve smaller portions, not drinking when I eat, eating slower and chewing better. I've never had stuck issues, sliming, PB's, etc. It's tough; I won't lie. The fact is if we had willpower alone, we may not need the band, right?

Spend this time now on healing and practicing for what life will be like. Most physicians will say that post op until the first fill really isn't a time where ppl lose a lot of weight. Don't beat yourself up

[losinandlovin 2]

Hi and welcome.

I am new to the site but not to the lap band. It is true the first fill will begin to give you some restriction. For now your body is healing and adjusting to this foreign object it is sensing. Hang on and do what you are told. Don't push the limits even though you can. Chew the mess out of food, do not drink and eat at the same time and really start using the practices now so that when the time comes, and it will, you are prepared and have less issues with the first fill. Typically the 1st two fills are small and just a little restriction, where you could eat a cow before, next will be a small calf, then a whole chicken. By fill three, a chicken wing. So all this to say, it is coming and trust me don't push it. Let it come in the right timing. Prepare yourself mentally as you heal for the changes still to come. Have you been told to drink something hot before you eat? I still practice that faithfully and it has been almost 2 years for me. IT WORKS, you may have questions and concerns but bottom line it works. I did exactly what my surgeon said to do and I could not be more pleased. Keep posting, keep asking and soon you will be ready to give support on here. Best of luck and I can't wait to hear more about your journey.