Restriction where are you????????

I had my Lap Band on 9-21-07....I have been the perfect patient. I have eaten just as instructed and I have lost 18 pounds....BUT, I do not feel full. I do not feel the need to stop eating. I feel like I could eat as much as before. I have forced myself to stop eating after a relatively small amount but I am hungry. I feel my stomach growling. Please tell me I am not going to be the one person this does not work for!!!!

This is how my surgeon explained it to me: The first week or two....your stomach has undergone manipulation and a few stiches, so it is swollen and therefore probably felt more 'full' then. However now....your stomach is getting back to normal. You do not have any "FILL" in yet....so really,....your band is just hanging there. So...it feels like you ARE hungry cause the lap band is not really doing any thing right now! In two weeks though...when you get your first fill....you will be back to the feeling you had in week one! From that point on....that is the feeling you want, and should expect. If it is not feeling like that...then you need to go back for another fill. I also had my lap-band surgery put in on 9/21/07. Like you....I am stopping eating not because I am full...but because I am trying to build good habits. But I am sticking with it! The other things he mentioned is to 1) eat my protein first and 2) do NOT DRINK anything with my meal....to wait 1 full hour AFTER a meal to drink (this keeps you from washing your food through the system). YES....I am still hungry right now....but I have my first FILL scheduled and am patiently waiting!!! Hang in there!!! We will be skinny yet!!!

Thank you for your encouragement Ann. I will struggle on to control myself until the band does it for me!! When I see my surgeon on Thursday maybe we will talk about when to fill....thanks again Debbie

I am two weeks out, too. Any initial restriction is from the swollen stomach... after that heals, you need a fill (usually done at 6-8 weeks out). So feeling hungry is probably a sign of good healing. Congrats on the weight you've lost so far, that's great! Melanie

Hi,my name is Justine and live in St. Augustine Fl. I had my surgery on Sept. 26th. I'm 17 days in,have lost 11 pounds, and I guess I'm crazy too!!!!!!! I am still hungry. I've purchased Egg White Protein Powder to add to soups and things suggested by my dietician. It seems to help my hunger for a little while longer. Do you still have Cravings as well?? Even though I stayed with the pre-op food diary "rules" I still would love to have Taco Bell wit mild sauce!!! I know I really need a Support Group, Especially NOW!! I'll keep looking. Thanks for listening. Justine