Normal appetite again?????? Is this normal????

Hi, I am 18 days post surgery and have what seems to be a normal appetite back again. I seem to be able to eat almost anything. My scales aren't the best, but they say I am down 17 pounds. (Actually I would only be down 7 pounds from pre op.) I have not had a fill and the surgeon said I was badly bruised and would not be healed for 6-8 weeks and I would not be checked for a fill until at least that time, but I'm afraid I'm getting back into the habit of overeating. I think I should still be eating pureed foods, but as long as I chew for a very long time, I can consume anything? Is this ok, or should I be giving my surgeon this update, before it's time to check for my fill? A couple examples was one meal I consumed 3oz of Ribeye steak, 2 oz of mushrooms, a 4 oz baked potato w/butter without any problems. Another day I had 3 pc's of pizza at one sitting and 4 hours later had 4oz oyster casserole and a 5oz baked potato w/butter. I had consumed my vitamin pill, protein drink and 64oz of water that day??? Please tell me this is a phase, or just a temporary ordeal? Anyone w/the same thing going on, please respond or anyone w/any helpful advice!

I cannot speak for LapBand patients, as I had an RNY, but this does not sound normal to me. You should relate all of this information to your surgeon immediately. Just because you can eat these things, doesn't mean you should, but I'm sure you already know that. You are playing with fire by pushing the limits of your surgery so soon. At 18 days post-op, I doubt your surgeon wants you eating steak or pizza. For your own safety, follow the eating plan you were given, and make sure you are measuring your meals. I know that for RNY at 18 days post op we should consume no more than 1/2 cup of food per meal, I'm not sure how different it is for LapBand. Contact your surgeon ASAP Please! Make sure you keep us updated on your progress. PS There is also the possibility that this is just emotional eating or "head hunger" and not true hunger. Best of Luck

Thanks, for your reply. I believe you are right about the head hunger. I did get ill tonight and will be going back to liquids and pureed foods again. I will be calling my surgeon tomorrow to see when he needs me to come in and will relay all of the above to him at that time. I will let you know what he had to say about this as well. I have come too far and not by any means easy to just mess it all up by eating relentlessly and for no good reason, other than I can and it tastes good.

I am 14 days post op from lap band and FEEL like I could eat anything I want, although I haven't tried. I'm still supposed to be on liquids 4 oz. at a time until Friday, but I have learned that I can make hearty foods (ie., stew) liquid if I hold the blender button down long enough My family had pizza tonight, and I ate the cheese off of one piece and wondered if I would pay for it later. The reality is that we didn't have these surgeries because we have healthy, moderate eating habits, so I'm trying to let fear of pain or screwing up my pouch keep me from slipping into old, self-defeating patterns. Try and stay strong until you get a fill -- I get my first one in two weeks and I'm hoping that helps me turn the next corner. Good luck!

"but I have learned that I can make hearty foods (ie., stew) liquid if I hold the blender button down long enough" lol.............to funny

I have been visiting this website for a few months. I actually had to join so I could reply to your posting. I am 25 days out and have not had my first fill either. At about 16 days post op I noticed that hunger feeling returning. I have tried very hard to not eat anything off of the list my nutritionist provided. DO NOT beat yourself up over this, it is important for you to realize that you had WLS not brain surgery ( my doc office always says this) and it is sooooo true. It is going to take some time to adapt to this new lifestyle. Another thing to remember your lap band is not filled yet, it is simply placed around your stomach in place waiting for your tummy to heal so it can become the useful tool you need. I would like to acknowledge the fact that you are seeking out advise. Thats good. Do you have access to a nutritionist? Perhaps they can help you get back on track of your post op diet. Or if your feeling back to normal perhaps you have healed faster than what your doc thought and they can move up your fill date.

Thanks to the few who have responded and advised me. I thought I should let you know that I challenged my eating limits for about 4 days and have since got back on track. I did end up feeling it! My stomach felt very distended and I felt nauseated. I do go back to my surgeon this thursday and we will see how close I am to a fill and returning to work. I am a youth service worker, so my main concern is if I am capable of restraining youth if necessary, as this is a part of my job description and would like to return without limitations. My calorie consumption is back to 650-1100 calories per day and this is with my protein drinks, liquids and pureed foods. Once again, thanks for your responses!

Wow, I am actually kind of pleased to hear that someone else actually feels like me! I am 42 days post op (12/10/07 was my lap band surgery) and I have had one fill. I still feel like I can eat way to much! The other night I ate almost an entire foot long subway sandwhich. A lot of people say it is in the head, but I was really able to eat with out any side effects at all. When will you talk to your surgeon about what is going on? I would love to know what he says. My next appointment (which I begged for) is on Feb 7th.....I am so afraid of failure on this one!

Hi Michelle, I went back to my surgeon Jan. 17th and explained what I had done and he gave me my first fill. (Just 1cc) He told me if I felt nauseated at all to come right back and he would take this out. No, I am doing fine with this, other than having to watch my portions. He gave me the approval to eat anything I want, but be aware of portion control and see him again in a month. I had lost 17 lbs. from my surgery in Dec. and he said I was right on schedule. Not losing too much too fast, but losing. He said to expect 1-2 lbs of weight loss per week. I also got the approval to go back to work full time without any restrictions on Jan. 31st. Since I have been eating regular food I have had more diarrhea, and I believe I have not been waiting long enough after eating before having liquids, so I am trying to be more aware of this. My surgeon said to eat 3 meals at about 1/2 cup total per meal and 3 snacks per day. Even with our winter and all the snow, I am walking more all the time. I'm really excited about losing and the challenging of a variety of ways to move for exercise to help to continue to lose. I wish you well Michelle and let me know how you are doing and what your surgeon recommends for you. Remember with lap band we all lose at different rates, due to genetics, body structure and how well we are following our surgeons advice. The only way we can fail is if our band fails us, otherwise we may lose slowly, but the most important thing is if we are losing any amount, then that is Good! Good-Luck with your success!