I'm not down with BANDSTER HELL!

[TSB 1]

Don't want to discount anyone's bandster hell experience, as I am sure for some it is a real physical insatiable hunger. But, I am inclined to think a big part of it is mental.

I don't think I have experienced anything in my band journey pre or post-op that I could characterize as "hell". Some discomfort from time to time, sure. A little hungry on occasion, yup.

Another thing I notice is people seem to put a lot of pressure on themselves in the early post op phase to lose a lot of weight quickly which contributes to their emotional/mental distress.

I was 5 weeks post op on this past Tuesday. I have lost weight every week as I move through the post op nutritional phases. I'm currently on regular food. I've lost 19 lbs since surgery on August 11 and a total of 37 lbs since I first discussed this surgery w/ my PCP in January '09. Of course my rate of weight loss was fastest in the 1st week or two. I am now typically losing 1 to 2lbs per week. It is not a given for every bandster that weight loss will stall or go up during the bandster hell phase. We are all different. One thing that is true for everyone, in my opinion, is that the band is only a tool and if you work it, it will work for you.

[NurseMelly 0]

Don't want to discount anyone's bandster hell experience, as I am sure for some it is a real physical insatiable hunger. But, I am inclined to think a big part of it is mental.

This :biggrin:

In my experience, the first few weeks after banding were great because I had alot of swelling. Once that went down, I got my first fill which did zilch. I didn't really feel restriction till I was at 7.3 cc in my 10 cc band and that was at about 6 months out.

However, I never gained except for when I went on vacation and allowed myself to eat whatever, whenever. I quickly lost it when I got back home and on plan.

For me, I have to be accountable. I calorie count (actually it's points cause I do WW). I've lost consistently. You can too. Don't expect the band to do all the work for you. You have to work it. Good luck!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Trust me. If you aren't swollen post op, and get a band that fits loosely, and don't have a (mean, IMHO LOL) surgeon who fills you during surgery, then the hunger is NOT head hunger, any more than starving people just need to "get over it".

Having said that, good for the people who are swollen, who can't eat, for whom just having the band placed does a lot. But don't presume we're all like you. We aren't. And don't think we can't ever tell the the difference between head hunger and true physiologic hunger. We mammals are geared to eat when our bodies tell us to and it is DAMN hard to ignore that survival directive.

The good thing about Bandster hell is that eventually it is ends.

[NurseMelly 0]

Trust me. If you aren't swollen post op, and get a band that fits loosely, and don't have a (mean, IMHO LOL) surgeon who fills you during surgery, then the hunger is NOT head hunger, any more than starving people just need to "get over it".

I'm not saying people are not hungry. I'm saying that if they think the first fill will automatically make it better, they may be in for a surprise. I didn't get restriction till 6 months post op. I dieted the first 6 months of being banded so that I continuously lost. Now if people don't want to diet, that is their choice. I wanted to be a certain weight by my 1 yr bandiversary so I couldn't wait for restriction to get me in line. Now, that I have it, it's just gotten all that much better and I'm losing at least 1 pound per week now :biggrin:

Edited September 18, 2009 by NurseMelly
I kept saying you, but I mean everyone in general =)

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Heynursemelly...I wasn't addressing you! (and I didn't mean that in a snarky "I'm not talking to you" way, but a nice conciliatory "I didn't mean you" way LOL)

and I agree 100% that you can't count on the first fill. I was banded 8/29/2008 and FINALLY found "love" on 5/7/2009. That was 7 fills and 1 unfill. It was worth it but it sure took a LONG time! :biggrin:

And I'm one who didn't diet because diets make me crazy (well, crazier) I constantly obsess about what I can eat, when, how much, what if I get hungry, etc. One can only sustain that energy for a limited time then it begins to wear thin. It's a personal choice.

The point of the band is the Portion Control. What we do until then, what we do with it, it's up to us. But some of us really are hungry post op. Some of us really are hungry until the band kicks in and does it's thing. All of my fat wasn't caused by head hunger. Some of it, yes. All of it, no.

[NurseMelly 0]

Heynursemelly...I wasn't addressing you! (and I didn't mean that in a snarky "I'm not talking to you" way, but a nice conciliatory "I didn't mean you" way LOL)

and I agree 100% that you can't count on the first fill. I was banded 8/29/2008 and FINALLY found "love" on 5/7/2009. That was 7 fills and 1 unfill. It was worth it but it sure took a LONG time! :biggrin:

Hehe I know what you're saying. I kept typing YOU and it sounded like I was yelling at you (which I would never do cause I love your posts and I tend to agree with you pretty much everytime) so I went back and edited my post. See my edit line *LOL*

I took such a long time too with my fills. Too bad, we weren't one of those who gets the band and automatically loses 100 pounds without a fill. Darn it. Restriction is bliss though. I find I can't really snack anymore because if I do, I'm too full for a meal. I love that. I used to get huuuungry between meals. You're doing great, RM!

[BigBandster 0]

It's my understanding that it is all very individual. Many people never experience Bandster hell at all, although it is probably a good idea to be prepared for it emotionally.

[gbakerc 2]

Is Bandster Hell any worse than Pre-op diet. I have been essentially on liquids for 10 days. The first 3 days were awful but after that it was ok. I can't see how it could be worse than that.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You're doing great, RM!

YOU too, NM! :biggrin:

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Is Bandster Hell any worse than Pre-op diet. I have been essentially on liquids for 10 days. The first 3 days were awful but after that it was ok. I can't see how it could be worse than that.

For me it was. Getting the band was very motivating, especially after I messed up and didn't get it on my first try.

Once I had the band, although I KNEW I needed to follow my post op diet to heal, it was hard because I was hungry and had been dieting for weeks. (and I mean an austere diet, not just eating low fat cheese or something LOL)

Once healed it was AWFUL because I could eat normally! I did eat less, but I didn't lose. And I never "felt" the band. Had I not KNOWN it was there from seeing it on xray, I'd never have believed I had it. That was WAY worse and longer than the little old preop diet. For me, anyway.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

It's my understanding that it is all very individual. Many people never experience Bandster hell at all, although it is probably a good idea to be prepared for it emotionally.

Hell can be a state of mind. There are a few who aren't hungry between getting banded and "the sweet spot", but not too many. But a good attitude and looking toward the future is helpful.

Most, though, have a period where they either must diet and struggle with hunger or regain weight. It's just the nature of the beast. You're right that it is good to prepare for it, then if you aren't one of the "many", lucky lucky you! :biggrin:

[LSU Mom 0]

I am 6 weeks post op yesterday and TODAY is by far, the hardest day of my banded life! I don't know what triggered it but today I am HUNGRY all day!!! I had my shake for Breakfast which I do every morning and today I was digging in my drawers at work looking for something to eat about half an hour later! I have not gained any weight back yet and I don't get my first fill until the 28th of September but now I am scared that - like I've seen on here - the fill won't REALLY be enough restriction! I did just start back to the gym full time since I got the go ahead at 6 weeks - and now that I actually typed this I'm realizing that MAYBE I'm hungry because I did a full workout and had not done that in the past six weeks! Gee, I think a light bulb just went off in my head! Does anyone else see it or is it just me? LOL! Hmmmm, anyway, hang in there buddy! I hope the hunger passes for you AND ME!!!

GEAUX TIGERS!!! :biggrin:

[TSB 1]

Trust me. If you aren't swollen post op, and get a band that fits loosely, and don't have a (mean, IMHO LOL) surgeon who fills you during surgery, then the hunger is NOT head hunger, any more than starving people just need to "get over it".

Having said that, good for the people who are swollen, who can't eat, for whom just having the band placed does a lot. But don't presume we're all like you. We aren't. And don't think we can't ever tell the the difference between head hunger and true physiologic hunger. We mammals are geared to eat when our bodies tell us to and it is DAMN hard to ignore that survival directive.

The good thing about Bandster hell is that eventually it is ends.

One thing I am learning is that there is a broad specturm of band experiences. What a great place this forum is, where people can come and learn from all experiences and share their own.

[jvinciguerra1 0]

I woke up starving from surgery. I've had two fills and still nothing. Won't have another fill for a month. Trying to stay positive.