Hunger After Band!

[LollieGirl 4]

I was banded 7/6 and about 3 days later I was starving no just hey I'm kinda hungry but stomach making noise starving! I am having Protein Shakes, broth, Jello and tea! I've lost 7 lbs in 5 days. I'm glad I've lost but I don't want to be starving! Has anyone else had this problem in the first week when everything says you won't be hungry!

[MsAngie224 0]

Hi, I was banded on 6/29 and I am still drinking Protein Water, Jello, & tea. I am hungry and I have been for a week now.

[Ric 89]

Yes, for 2 whole weeks! Remember its a tool not a cure!

[dcolstondogs 2]

Yes I was also banded on 7/6. I'm ravenous. I cry constantly. I've lost 10 lbs but I have had to eat a couple real food items to keep the hungry pangs in check. I did a tsp of pb and tuna fish. I'm so confused about the amount and I feel like I'm not eating enough. I'm weak and starving and gassy.

[123crod 170]

I was so hungry the first month, all night long my stomach would beg for food. I cried some too. My friend was gone . . . my food! But after my 2nd fill I did lose all hunger and 3 years later do not have it. It is a blessing but keeps you from eating 3 meals a day small portions like we should.

Now headhunger that is another story . . . .still working on that

cheri

[jennifer1 180]

You will be in banster hell till u get your first fill...perfectly normal..first 6 weeks ar abouting healing not losing though

[123crod 170]

Yes I was also banded on 7/6. I'm ravenous. I cry constantly. I've lost 10 lbs but I have had to eat a couple real food items to keep the hungry pangs in check. I did a tsp of pb and tuna fish. I'm so confused about the amount and I feel like I'm not eating enough. I'm weak and starving and gassy.

Are you still on liquids?

cheri

[dcolstondogs 2]

Yes I'm supposed to be on full liquid diet. Its hell

[shadowsun 1]

I was banded on 6/25 and am starving. I can't wait to get my first fill which is scheduled 6 weeks post-op. I do think being hungry now is easier to ignore even though the hunger pains are, well, painful. I don't have that "sugar hunger" I had pre-surgery where I would almost eat the paint off of walls if I didn't eat regularily. At almost 3 weeks post-op, I'm on "mushy" food. A little disappointed that I gained 2 lbs this week (following diet, at 400-600 calories/day). Only urinating 2 X/day since Sunday. Obviously retaining Water. From what I've read on this site, it's normal when you go from liquid diet to food again.

Good luck to all us hungry people!

[Riker990 6]

The hunger is killing me too, and I'm on soft solids. I go from fine to angry, painful hungry in about fifteen minutes. Definitely more angry hungry than I ever got pre-surgery. (of course I was always eating pre-surgery!). I have to keep some kind of food on hand wherever I go (applesauce is easy) because it hurts when I get hungry like that. I can't wait for that first fill, I tell you!

[123crod 170]

Yes I'm supposed to be on full liquid diet. Its hell

coffee is a good hunger killer if dr say no caffine just do Decaf. Also try taking a Protein shake and freezing it and then eat it like ice cream. I put mine in the blender and fluff it up and then freeze about an hour and blend again so it will stay fluffy and let it freeze. It will be liquid when it goes down. I am 3 years out and still do that everyday. I takes about 45 minutes to eat it and feels like ice cream.

cheri

[honk 780]

Can you spread out your "food"? Drink your Soup and then wait as long as possible to have the Protein Shake. May help with some of the head hunger. Yes I understand you are also physically hungry.

[Sojourner 2,446]

Yes I was also banded on 7/6. I'm ravenous. I cry constantly. I've lost 10 lbs but I have had to eat a couple real food items to keep the hungry pangs in check. I did a tsp of pb and tuna fish. I'm so confused about the amount and I feel like I'm not eating enough. I'm weak and starving and gassy.

I'm guessing you did not encounter any ill side effects from eating solid foods that soon after surgery...that's good.

Remember, this time is to heal...and Peanut Butter is not easy on the stomach. The information I was given regarding my post op diet reads that Peanut Butter is not allowed for the first 6 months post op...

I would get in touch with your surgeon and discuss how you are feeling. It is too early post op for you to be eating solid foods...perhaps the physician would allow you to move onto mushies or soft foods a bit earlier.

They call it bandster hell for good reasons...this time is to heal, and not become obsessed with your scale. I believe that just about everyone has had to cope with major hunger at some points along their journey. I still get hungry, and drink Water and distract myself to manage it.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

A couple things:

The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not losing. That includes the post op diet. It is imperative you stick to the post op diet because it's entire purpose is to promote healing. If you start eating solids too soon, you run the very real risk of a ripping a suture, a slip, or even infection.

Yes you're going to be hungry, especially while still on liquids or mushy foods. Your band is likely empty right now and most have little to no restriction with an empty band. It will also likely take multiple fills before you do have restriction. In the meantime, stick to no more than 1 cup of food per meal and do your best to make good food choices. It's not easy at the beginning, but you'll be glad you did when you start losing weight rather than gaining despite the lack of restriction.

Just remember, the band is a tool not a magic cure. You still have to do the work, including following your doctors orders and making healthy food choices for a lifetime.

[jenband12 23]

so much good advice, thanks everyone!

I'm hungry & headachy & shaky & angry

lol

nice to know I'm not alone