Help!!

[Guest stefnz]

I'm about 4 weeks out from my lap band surgery and have a burning question. I can EAT EAT EAT EAT EAT!!! Did I mention I can eat ALOT! I started feeling normal about 1 1/2 weeks after my surgery, needless to say when my swelling went down and I dropped 10 pounds. Has anyone found this normal before the first fill. It seems I can eat one cup of most foods when I should be at half that. I wont mention the 8 piece chicken tenders I wolfed down two days ago. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem of not feeling full so early on. Need advice from you experienced ones.

[leatha_g 4]

I'm about 4 weeks out from my lap band surgery and have a burning question. I can EAT EAT EAT EAT EAT!!! Did I mention I can eat ALOT! I started feeling normal about 1 1/2 weeks after my surgery, needless to say when my swelling went down and I dropped 10 pounds. Has anyone found this normal before the first fill. It seems I can eat one cup of most foods when I should be at half that. I wont mention the 8 piece chicken tenders I wolfed down two days ago. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem of not feeling full so early on. Need advice from you experienced ones.

Yes ma'am and I'm surprised that you didn't come across this dilemma in your pre-op research. This is a very common thing and pretty much the biggest complaint of brand new bandsters.

The first 6 weeks post-op is meant purely for healing. That is why the doc tells you not to eat solids right away. They do not want you forcing your freshly operated on tummy to grind and churn trying to digest hard solids so that it can be 'anchored' in by developing scar tissue. This helps to prevent slipping of the band later down the road.

Most people do not wake up with restriction. Those who do are lucky. Most don't. So, any weight loss during this time is purely bonus!

Then, there's always that saying, 'just because you CAN does not mean you should! " So, at this time, you may have to practice the bandster rules of eating.

In the meantime, I'm posting a link that michelle has posted from time for newly banded folks who suffer this dilemma. Good luck! You are not alone.

http://www.geocities.com/michellojackson/NOT_AT_SWEET-SPOT.html

Also, you may want to begin tracking your intake on www.fitday.com just see where your Protein vs carbs fall. It's a very handy tool.

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Ten Important Rules

These rules for eating, drinking, and exercise will help you get the best results with your Lap-band:

1. Eat only three small meals a day.

2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly (approximately 15-20 times per bite).

3. Stop eating as soon as you feel full.

4. Do not drink while eating.

5. Do not eat between meals.

6. Eat only good quality food.

7. Avoid fibrous food.< /p>

8. Drink enough fluids during the day.

9. Drink only low-calorie liquids.

10. Exercise at least 30 minutes per day.

[Sue Gaddis 0]

Yes, I could definately over eat before I got my first fill. When I asked the Dr. he told me that it was like I was not banded and wide open (not quite), but the fill definately helped. I agree with what Leatha says.

Sue

[Maurice 0]

Count me in with the group of high appetites post-healing.

I was scared that I was a lost cause; but was thankfully corected on this site.

Those ten rules are wonderful, and will serve you well as you are able to commit to them.

'Best of luck!

[melissalee 2]

I can completely understand where you are coming from. I had a particularly difficult time as my doctor had me on liquids for the first 6 weeks. Need less to say, I cheated a little. But now that I am on solids and have recently gotten my first fill, I am beginning to learn which foods I can eat the same as before and those that just won't go down and then the best are those that I eat little but fill me up fast. I guess the most important thing I've learned is that no matter what, I am still resposible for myself and though the surgery is a means to help me along the way, I still have to make the effort to deal with and get over my head hunger and look at why I feel the need to eat so much, even when I can.

Good luck to you!

[melissalee 2]

I can completely understand where you are coming from. I had a particularly difficult time as my doctor had me on liquids for the first 6 weeks. Need less to say, I cheated a little. But now that I am on solids and have recently gotten my first fill, I am beginning to learn which foods I can eat the same as before and those that just won't go down and then the best are those that I eat little but fill me up fast. I guess the most important thing I've learned is that no matter what, I am still resposible for myself and though the surgery is a means to help me along the way, I still have to make the effort to deal with and get over my head hunger and look at why I feel the need to eat so much, even when I can.

[lisaWA 0]

Oh I can so relate. I went to dinner at the Outback last night and eat 1/4 of a blooming onion and then a ceasor salad and then when my dinner came I eat 1/2 a baked potato and 3oz of salmon. I'm 4 weeks post-op and I have very little restriction. Im scared Im gonna gain back the 14lbs I lost in the first 2 weeks. I can't wait for my first fill.

[lapbanfran 0]

Ok i'm going to fess up I too am able to eat quite a bit. I thought we could only hold about 4ozs of food at a time with the band but i'm finding that i can take in much more than that. But still not discouraged hope to get a fill soon. I'm 2wks post surgery have lost only 3lbs but haven't gained either.. Not really eating a lost of solid stuff still doing soft basically and liquid. My diet mainly consists of Jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, cream Soups, salmon salad, crackers and i'm able to eat chicken nuggets even though i try to stay away from the nuggets because they are fried. Otherwise that's really it Oh I do have applesauce and cottage cheese pretty oftern.

Fran

[Maurice 0]

I've gone through the same scenarios since my 8/31 banding. I've had three fills in an 11 cc band and each fill brought me to another level of restriction. With each fill came another week of liquid-to-mush dieting, which really helped me get to the next mental level and commitment as well.

It's taken me this long to really appreciate the teamwork required of me with the band. I'm down 55 lbs from the beginning and 45 since the procedure.

I also had a panic about the ability to handle large portions before the last fill.

Good luck and enjoy the holidays before you sinch it up!

[Guest SliminJenn]

Hey, the same thing happened to me, I was a couple weeks out from surgery and I had NO restriction. To the point that my surgeon had to put in 1.8 into my band on the first fill to restrict me. I am 3 months out and have lost only 30 pounds but have lost alot of dress sizes..So, don't worry, just get a fill ASAP!

[Infaith 1]

My sister who was banded last summer was hungry from the get-go and couldn't wait to get her first fill.

I knew from the forum that most do not feel restriction. I think I'm blessed like Jack. I really don't feel hungry (even when my tummy growls sometimes). Last night was the first I felt tempted, but I think it was only because I was tired of the sweet stuff like Jello, popcicles, yogurt. Took care of that by making a little beef/mushroom broth. Hit the spot and took care of that craving.

I was also told to watch it with things like cream Soups and puddings as they are so high calorie.

Congrats Jack on doing so well. Don't think I'll hit 20 by New Years, but maybe 15?

another member of the 12/21 possee

[amoro68 0]

I am getting banded on January 27th and now I'm afraid it won't work. Can someone please explain what will happen. From what I've read, I will be able to eat like I do now? I don't understand. HELP

[New Hope 37]

Amoro, where are you getting banded? Are you required to attend an informational seminar? Everything should be thoroughly covered. And you can ask ?? from the dr. and usually a lapbanded patient. Meanwhile, please research everything you can get your hands on. You have a lot to learn before you are banded. The better informed you are now, the less surprises, less stress, and the more successful you'll be. Hit the Research feature at the top. Look up everything you can think of. Study, Study, Study! You'll be glad you did!

[HarleyNana 10]

Jack you just wait, I just hit that shocking no more restriction point. It happened over night. I was taking these tiny bites, now, 4-1/2 weeks post op, what happened?

I kept reading where people were getting hungry and I kept thinking, gee I might not even need a fill, I'm still eating less than half of smaller portions, then the great band opened! I've never been so excited about having a needle injected into my tummy on Monday. This weekend will either be a heck of a challenge or I'll enjoy the heck out of what I haven't been able to eat for 4 weeks. Can you gain 20.5 lbs in 2 days?

[amoro68 0]

There is no seminar, though I did speak directly with the doctor and he was very helpful. I also have been on every possible website learning more about the surgery. I realize that there will be some major changes but I am more afraid of complications