eating more now!

sheeanisland · September 28, 2004

I am kind of bummed out because for the first two weeks post -op I had lots of restriction I was eating like a bird and now I can eat more for sure. I can eat a cup of food at a time. I was at a baby shower and even over cooked Pasta went down. Did anyone else experience this? I lost 13 lbs my first week them like a ton of breaks that scale wont budge. I can even eat saltines. I am confused I dont know when I am sposto start low carb or what.. Can someone give me some advice!

leatha_g · September 28, 2004

Yep. This is very common. Until your first fill, maybe even second or third you have no restriction. This is the time that you have to start employing some of the guidelines for the band. Protein first, veggies second, other stuff if you still have room. It is very common that once the tummy seems healed and hunger returns new bandsters semi freak out because they had some idea they would wake up with restriction. I'm surprised you don't recall reading it from other new bandsters in your research.

It's tough. Some people even gain back the weight they lost in the beginning. It helps if you can begin using some of the eating practices such as laying your tableware down between bites, no drinking during meals, exercise, exercise, exercise, Water, Water, water. The restriction will come. It's all a process which takes time. Don't panic.

Neicy · September 28, 2004

Hi Andrea, Isn't it wonderful how the weight just falls off at first! Your appetite is right on que. The first 6 weeks is the healing time for your stomach. You felt restriction initially because you were swollen, and as you heal that restriction begins to subside.

You are about 3 weeks post-op, so I would think that you should be careful with solids at this point. Try to begin to eat much more slowly and chewing your food very thoroughly. It is good training for you when you get a fill. My fill doctor advised to chew each bite 30 times. That will slow you down! Eat your Proteins first, then veggies. Force Water before you eat, don't drink with your food. Low carbs will help you lose if you can hang with it. Good Luck!

sheeanisland · September 28, 2004

Its hard to eat low carbs when you are trying to eat mushies cause refried Beans, cottage cheese, oatmeal. All that stuff has carb's. But I am trying but mushies is def' the priority. I have read that other people said they felt hungry after a while but I still wanted to make sure and have support that I was normal. It helps to hear other people tell you its normal. Cause it is a let down even if you have read it before when you start getting hungry and see yourself eating more.

gunn4ya · September 28, 2004

Hang in there. dont give up. I have heard that the hunger sometimes in the beginning is really bad. I'm hoping you will get thru this. Just dont give up. and I havent even had the surgery yet. I know you can do it.

Zoe · September 28, 2004

Andrea, check out the thread called "Frustrated!!!..." in this introductions section. Those first initial pounds were mostly Water. Now you're losing fat -- and if you gained water back even while you lost fat in the last week or two, the scale may show no change. Hang in there.

New Hope · September 28, 2004

Andrea, you've lost 14 lbs. in 10 days! Wow! It does slow down. I just got off of a 3 week plateau. I gained 2 lbs, held even, and finally went down last week. Yes, It's aggravating! Are you getting your Water load in? Are you trying to only weigh once a week? That challenge really has helped me. I was getting on it every time I went to the bathroom. LOL

sheeanisland · September 29, 2004

Yea now I havent weighted in a week cause I am afraid I gained. Whats the point the scale hasent moved sence the first week. But my appatite is coming back that is just anoying. People are like how much have you lost now and its the same as it was two weeks ago. But I know in time I am going to loose it. I guess my band is healing well cause there must not be swelling or I would have more restriction. I guess this is part of the course. Ill hang in there

Neicy · September 29, 2004

I think you're doing great. I'm glad to hear you're on mushies, and you're right, it's hard not to eat carbs at this point. I'll bet if you really thought about it, you're eating so much less than you did pre-band. After you get adjusted, you'll find that your band is doing what it was meant to do. Don't freak out if you do show a little rise on the scale, it WILL come off. You are doing exactly what you are supposed to do right now, giving yourself time to heal. Hang in there!

Maurice · September 30, 2004

I also was really concerned about regaining my appetite as well as the ability to eat.

This site brought support and information that it was normal as I healed, and that the first fill should be helpful.

After a week of this issue, I had a 4 cc fill yesterday. I'll be on liquids for three days, then mush for the next four days.

I'm hopefull that the fill will cure this, and I'll be on my way.

My fill was 32 days post-op.

Good luck, and try to eat as smart as possible. It's a long journey, and a week or two of eating will not be the end of the world.

I gained back 5 lbs. during this period.

PamRN · October 1, 2004

I feel you girl, this last couple of days my appetite has really picked up. I'd been worried because I haven't had any trouble with anything I've eaten yet, though I've been being fairly careful. I kind of jumped quicker into full liquids and mushy's because I needed more to eat, and wasn't having problems. My weight is going down, about 1/2 a pound a day. I'm still weighing every morning, but as it slows I'll do the weekly thing. Thank god for this site. Reading today has picked me up again, and I'm feeling better already. Hang in there!