Question for Lapbanders

 I finally went to an info seminar last night.   Dr. M made a comment that has me wondering.  He said he doesnt like to hear lapbanders complain they are hungary.    Maybe I misunderstood what he was trying ot say but if there is alot of hunger involved it would defeat the purpose of having a lapband.   Can someone respond who's had the band (at any stage) and tell me what you eat in a typical day and if you feel hungery .    I am really kind of set on having the lapband but I need to know if my finger nails will be knawed to the nub.  Thanks     

I HAD SURGERY TWO WEEKS AGO, SO i AM REALLY NOT EXPERIENCED.  SO FAR i AM NEVER HUNGRY.  HOPE THIS HELPS

I didn't have a lapband, but I think after surgery hunger to an extent does return. I don't think the hunger you are concerned about is true hunger, but what we call head hunger. That symptom affects all of us. Initially I think that you will nto feel hunger for several weeks. As you heal, hunger will return. I think you will have lovely nails afterwards. You won't have to supplement your new diet with nail biting. :) Aime

Hey Kell, I am 8 months post op and a bander!  My tummy does get the grumbles on occasion which is TRUE hunger.  I do on occasion have head hunger, usually the week before my period.  I am never really HUNGRY.  I eat 3 small (compared to pre-op) meals a day and feel full now unlike pre-op.  I have been eating tuna and crackers for breakfast, salad or chili for lunch, dinner is usually a lean protein and a green veggie or beans.  Snacks I eat almonds, string cheese, yogurt, etc.  I eat what I like and avoid what I have issues with.  For more info and a lot more responses, go to the Lap Band forum.  There are only a few band patients here, but I love my RNY buddies!!!

Kell - I attend the info seminar in May and I too recall Dr. M saying something similar.  In my seminar, he didn't say that he didn't want to hear lapbanders complain they are hungry, but rather that lapbanders don't have the same level of satiety as gastric bypassers.  I think he just wanted to make people aware that if you go with lapband, you don't have the same level of satiety as with bypass.  I think it was a very valid point and I'm glad he brought that up because satiety is something I'm really concerned about and I'm trying to make a decision here soon.

Rood, I think it just takes a little longer for us bandsters to reach satiety over the course of the process.  Whereas RNY patients immediately have a small pouch post op, band patients build up to it with fills.  I have had 4 fills and I do not get hungry.  I have to eat by the clock a lot of times.  The only problem I have and so do RNY patients is sometimes I have head hunger.  If I see my hubby eating i have to have something too.  That has nothing to do with RNY or the band.  It's all mental.  The band does take a bit more discipline than RNY,  RNY patients have told me that is one of the reasons they chose RNY over the band, but I would never trade my band for RNY.  It was just not for me.  Good luck in making your choice.  Don't let anyone sway you.

Thanks all.    I cant wait for the doc to call to set up my consult.   I'm really anxious and want to get started.