frustrated....

I'm so damn hungry.....I don't have a fill yet...I don't get my first fill until the 18th....I'm so scared if I start eating more, even though my doc told me what I am allowed to eat but not how much or how often, that I'm gonna end up gaining weight...I don't get full when I eat....Any suggestions on getting through this next week??

Thanks

 I was the same as you.  You have no restriction (or very little) right now.  Just got my first fill last week and it made all the difference.  I had gained 6lbs, but since I got the fill, I have already lost them, plus another pound. 

They call it Bandster Hell, and I think its appropriately titled.  Hang in there and continue to follow your dr's and nutristionist's instructions.  
~ Barbara

Oh Barb, you made my day...I was so worried on posting that because sometimes I feel like I'm the only one going through this.  I don't see a whole lot of posts about people feeling so darn hungry.  I am so glad I will not feel so hungry after my fill...I am looking forward to that very much...Thank you so much for your response.....

Jamie

No problem.  In the meantime, try to identify if it is physical hunger or head hunger.  Also, are you getting in all your protein and liquids?  I find on the days when I'm physically hungry, I most likely didn't drink enough liquids.    No one ever said it was going to be easy, but we can do it!!  
Good luck

Well, my stomach is growling like crazy..my kids will hear it across the room.  I am to get around 60-80 grams of protein a day and I get 60+.  Yesterday was weird because I actually drank more water yesterday then any other day and yesterday was the day I could have eaten a cow!  Your right on that one, no one said this would be easy, and I'm good with that, I'm certainly not afraid to work for it and your right we WILL do this!!  Thanks for all your support!  I really appriciate it!!

My stomach made lots of noise starting 2 hours after I's eaten which triggered head hunger for me.  It made loud noises for over a month after being banded.  My doc office told me it wasn't necessarily growling, just digestion noises.  FINALLY that seems to have stopped somewhat with the addition of dense proteins in pea sized bites.

Here's what I did when I didn't have a fill (aka bandster hell).... I just did my best. If I wanted to eat, I ate. If I wasn't hungry, I didn't eat. But when I ate, I stuck to high protein, low carb and tons of veggies. That filled up my still-large stoma and I was happy. Keep at it and don't worry if there is a gain here and there. This journey is a rollercoaster and rollercoasters are no fun without the UPS and DOWNS. :-)

Elena, thank you very much!!  You are very right!  Everyone on this board is so sweet and helpful!! 

You poor thing, I so remember this stage. I also remember how what youre feeling made me feel like I was going to fail. Please just know that right now is time for your body to heal. It not really meant for losing weight, that will come later and maybe not until your second or third fill. Try blending up some beans, or some cottage cheese. The complex carbs and dairy do a better job of giving you satiety and keep you full longer. Try to keeip your spirits up, what you're feeling is very normal.

Hey there!  Go easy on yourself, this is the time for your body to heal from surgery (what, 16, 17 days ago?) and not for losing weight....EAT.  Keep the meals small and space them out at least 2 hours and keep the protein to carb ratio 1gr protein for every 2 gr high quality carb and no more than 100 cal for snack and 200 per meal...you will get in 900 calories this way and you won't be hungry.

Some ideas:

I made eggplant lasagna (you can use zucchini as eggplant is hard to find right now)

2 eggplant, sliced the long way, about 1/2 inch thick, skin off, brush with olive oil and roast in oven for 20-30 min.

Make a mixture of 1 cup ff cottage cheese, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup parmesan, parsley flakes and 1/2 cup lf shredded mozz.

Use jarred pasta sauce...Barilla is good, get the tomato basil

cook 1/2 lb extra lean (at least 93% lean) ground turkey with olive oil and italian seasoning.  Grind some spinach (frozen)  and onion in a food processor and add to the ground turkey and continue to cook...crumble really finely.

Put some sauce in the bottom of a 9x9 pan, and a layer of eggplant, put a layer of the cottage cheese mixture, some ground turkey, repeat until all items are used.  Top with mozz (you can add the mozz about half way through the baking if you don't like it brown)and bake at 350 for about 40 min or until 165 degrees in the center.

a 2x2 square is a portion and approximately 160 calories and is loaded with protein.  It will keep you full and is low carb.  My whole family loves this!

Another item for post op and following fills is sf instant pudding made with a couple of scoops of your protein powder and ff milk...When I do this I get a little treat with 15 gr protein and 15 carbs, great balance! 120 calories and a good between meal snack.

There are lots of ideas on eggface.com too.