So this is Bandster Hell?????

[slm2007 7]

I was banded on 4/18. High hopes.....I know it is a "Tool" - I get it - but my "tool" is not working me with me despite my failing attempts to work with IT!

I'm so frustrated. I've lost 20 pounds since my pre-surgery liquid diet. Okay, that is good....20 more than I would have lost. Whoo hooo. BUT, I'm starving. Eating my chicken first isn't cutting it....I wait, drink Water, I'm hungry...literally shaking hungry. My 100 calorie Snacks aren't cutting it and holding me over.

I had my first fill on 6/2, 4cc's. NO DIFFERENCE. I read on another post that if you can eat a cheeseburger and fries that you need a fill. I can eat anything with no problem. I don't want so much Fluid that I get sick and stuck all the time, I'd rather stuggle a little than deal with that but I'm trying here, I'm counting and portioning and I'm hungry! I wait, I drink, I drink....I'm HUNGRY! Not head hunger....stomach hunger. I'm supposed to do 1,100 calories per day. I'm over every day due to hunger issues. I can eat anything with no problem and I don't get that "full" feeling any sooner than I did before the band. I have to force myself to stop over fear of stretching the band. I don't eat to the point of "Thanksgiving dinner" fullness, but I've probably eaten too much because I don't have the full sensation. That is when I REALLY started portioning and watching......at first I was hoping the band was going to work as a tool and help me but it hasn't.....but now that I'm watching and portioning...I'm starving.

I know this is just a vent and I'll get there. I have another appointment on 6/27 so I'm hoping that she will give me more Fluid so my tool can help me help myself.

[vickyd 24]

This is the hard part...you are doing the right thing by portioning your food, tracking your calories and being more mindful of what you are eating. I would suggest keeping your Snacks Protein based rather than the 100 calorie packs because protein does tend to keep people full longer. Don't beat yourself up about going over your calorie goal during this time...there are many people who eat over 1200 calories a day so don't worry about it. You definately need another fill...I don't know when your next fill is due but maybe you can contact your surgeon's office to see if you can get one sooner. Other than that, HANG IN THERE...it WILL get better!!!

[highland 168]

What does your doctor say? I can't imagine what's going on.

[Juliat 6]

Yes, you're in bandster hell! It took me 4 fills to get restriction and now I need to go again. This part is the hardest and like the poster said before, don't get stuck on how many calories you are doing and also replace your Snacks with Protein, like greek yogurt and nuts. I gained 4 pounds during that period, so don't worry about it. In the end, it's going to work out for you after you get restriction.

Julia

[azbtrfly 2]

I dont count calories, just make better choices and I know I'm eating a lot less than I used to. Sounds like u need a fill.

[Rachel412 116]

Mmmhmm bandster hell. Most people take 3 or 4 fills to get in their sweet spot. I'd call to see if they'll let you come in sooner- my doctor allows fills every 2 weeks.

[Elie936 1]

Did u say u eat and drink at the same time? I know that pushes food down so you donf feel full anymore...

My doctor asks to wait 2 hours. Are you eating more carbs or Protein? Naybe stack up on protein....

If not, u just have to be patient, ur band needs time:)

[MarcyLoo 12]

I've been having a terrible time, stuck at 30-31 pounds since preop diet. But, I know what my issues are so am working hard at them.

I've had a lot of mental hunger, stress hunger, snacking hunger that I've acted on. It's also very very hard for me to NOT drink between meals. If I drink anything after a meal, up to 3-4 hours after, I do not stay full. If I avoid liquids I do great and stay nice and full. Mentally I just have to really pay attention to what type of hunger I;m having. I constantly think about snacking but am really working on it daily (on not doing it).

Avoid Snacks. Even 100-calorie Snacks. Teh goal of the band is to eat 3 meals a day, focus on Protein first then produce. Avoid carbs. Get in at least 64 ounces of Water a day (I drink a 20 ounce glass of Water before each of my 3 meals...right before) and allow myself one flavored 20 ounce glass of water a day (Mio or crystal light), more if I'm working overnight. I've started having a cup of coffee before Breakfast too, and if I want another an hour before lunch I'll have another coffee. Fat free milk is ok too, up to 16 ounces a day, but do not drink it during or after a meal (just like any fluid).

Are your meals a consistency that will stay in the pouch? Or mushy?

YOU CAN DO THIS!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!

[kelli01 5]

It wasn't until my 3rd fill I felt the band was helping @ all....2 wks later when I got my fourth fill I FINALLY have restriction and I have to eat small portions & small bites....It is really hard, but when you the right amount you will be able to tell! Promise my total is 7.0 in a 10 cc band

[Shelley64 26]

It's going to take some time to get the right fill. Don't get too discouraged. I just got the book "Bandwagon" and it has been so helpful. It's really a map for lab band. The lady who wrote the book had it done and she shares her trials and tribulations. I'd really recommend it. I considered myself a person who really did a lot of research but there are things in this book that I didn't know but are really making sense to me. Good Luck going forward!

[Melissannde 41]

All good suggestions, increase fluids, don't drink for at least 30 minutes after a meal (2 hours is a bit too long IMO), make sure your Protein is solid, dense, tender protein and not soft stuff.

Snacks are OK if needed, but try to make them high protein and low calorie. I ate things like an apple with a ww string cheese, or a 90 calorie pack of cottage cheese for snacks when hungry between meals. Even a small 100 calorie RTD carton of muscle milk LIGHT (emphasis on the LIGHT). Before reaching for a snack, try drinking 16oz of Water first.. sometimes our bodies mistake hunger for thirst. Really. I was skeptical too, but it's true.

One other thing that I don't see mentioned is avoidance of white carbs. If you can, eliminate bread, potatoes, rice and Pasta from your diet. If you can't eliminate them, at least reduce them. The reason you want to avoid these foods is that they tend to be high glycemic. When consumed, they raise our blood sugar and we feel great for a while, but then our blood sugar crashes and we're hungrier than we were in the first place.

Do some research www.glycemicindex.com is a great place to start.

Quinoa can replace rice in many dishes. Use spaghetti squash or grated or sliced Zucchini in place of pasta. If you must have potatoes, try red or purple potatoes, or sweet potatoes. Whole wheat or Ezekiel bread.

I know it's not easy. I had to wean myself off of white bread. I rarely eat bread now, and if I do it's usually whole wheat or sprouted bread (Ezekiel Bread). My struggle is with saltine crackers of all things. You'd think if I was going to indulge it would be something good, something decadent.. but nooooo..... LOL

Hang in there!! Don't give up, you can do this!

[Melissannde 41]

BTW.. food doesn't stay in the pouch all that long.

http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

[slm2007 7]

THANK YOU EVERYONE.....you guys are the best. A BUNCH of great suggestions and I've written them all down.

I have tried getting rid of "white" food...pasta is my biggie. I've replaced it with a whole wheat Pasta and even tried spaghetti squash which I like but I"ve learned that I need to now make two different meals...one for me and one for my husband (my kid ususally shares whatever I make for myself). My H whines about the whole grain bread (which I don't eat) and the wheat pasta etc. I've learned to just put some sauce on the noodles in the pot so they are colored and he can't tell the difference now. ANyhow, pasta is my big thing and i adore potatoes so I'll try the purple ones and sweet potatoes are awesome.

You guys really are the best...thanks for the boost. Feeling better about things today.

[roziecakes 20]

I am glad you're feeling better about things now. I'm really appreciative that you posted this thread though because it answered a lot of questions for me as well! Thank you!

[Melissannde 41]

THANK YOU EVERYONE.....you guys are the best. A BUNCH of great suggestions and I've written them all down.

I have tried getting rid of "white" food...pasta is my biggie. I've replaced it with a whole wheat Pasta and even tried spaghetti squash which I like but I"ve learned that I need to now make two different meals...one for me and one for my husband (my kid ususally shares whatever I make for myself). My H whines about the whole grain bread (which I don't eat) and the wheat pasta etc. I've learned to just put some sauce on the noodles in the pot so they are colored and he can't tell the difference now. ANyhow, pasta is my big thing and i adore potatoes so I'll try the purple ones and sweet potatoes are awesome.

You guys really are the best...thanks for the boost. Feeling better about things today.

Reminds me of when my kids were little and I made spaghetti with spinach noodles one time. I had no idea it was going to look so strange!!

I put their plates on the table and they kinda looked askance at me..and I thought quickly and said "It's Christmas Spaghetti!!" They thought that was great and ate it all up. LOL

Noodles cooked Al Dente (a little chewy) are lower glycemic than the ones cooked a long time. And try the Dreamfield's pasta.. when my DH was doing Atkins, we used that over regular pasta.