After 3.5 mos, I'm in "Bandster hell"

After 3 1/2 mos, I'm finally in bandster hell, and I hate it. I'm scheduled to see my surgeon on the 18th of this month for a fill, do you'll think I should call for an earlier appt?  I've been so hungry, and eating so much, I do feel that I have some retriction, but enough to stop me from wanting to eat all the time.  Need advice please!!!

NORMA

Hey Norma! Sorry you're having a hard time... I don't have the band so I don't know exactly how the fills and unfills work... but I would call and see if maybe they could get you an earlier appointment? Wouldn't hurt to call and find out! I would say its worth a phone call especially if you feel your restriction isn't good enough. Good luck

I would call asn ask...Have you had any fills since surgery?  3.5 months post op is a long time to wait for a fill...most are done at 6 weeks 

I actually had 2 cc left in my band when first had surgery. I had another 2cc fill in Dec, but then had to return the next day cause I was too tight and had 1.8 cc removed. I went back in on Jan 14 and got another .8cc fill. So currently I only have 3cc in my band. I think I will call them cause I don't think I can do this for another 16 days. Thanks for listening,....

NORMA

 Norma, baby, what are ya doin' over here? Come over to the Band Forum! 

You need to evaluate where you are ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY hungry or just want to eat because of stress, loneliness, anger, whatever. If you are PHYSICALLY hungry a couple of hours after eating, then you may need a fill and if getting one sooner than your scheduled appointment will make you feel better, go for it. Sometimes, the TINIEST amount of fill can make a world of difference!

Ditto to what Bette said.

Jean

I agree with Bette.

Are you sure you are even hungry or you just wanting to be eating cause you can ? There is a huge difference .

I have to fight every night not to eat something.  I am so use to eating at night it has become a habit and I know I wasnt hungry so now I have to break that habit and its a ***** !!

I know Im not hungry but I still want to eat .

If its actual hunger you should be able to call your doc and get a fill . I havent had a fill yet since surgery but my doc told me anytime I feel like I need one I can call and get one maybe yours will be like that to ?

But before I do I would make sure Im really hungry physical and its not head hunger that is consuming you right now .

Good luck !!

These ladies won't steer you wrong Norma.

We'll chat more soon. See you over there on the band boards.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/

I think all of my fellow bandsters said it all.  I think time to dig deep and figure out if this is head hunger or physical hunger.  If head hunger, I would try making an appointment to see your nutritionist.  If physical hunger and it's not a few hours from the last time you ate, I say you may need a fill sooner than later.  I would call your surgeon's office anyway, explain what your situation is.  You may just need a pep talk with your surgeon.  I tell that to my patients all the time when they call me...

Good luck to you!
And yes, please join us on the lap band message boards!!!!

Take care
Jan

IF you're not sure if you are really hungry or suffering severely from head hunger, a great test I use is those i get out a piece of one of those new gums that taste like deserts. I chew the gum as long as I would if I was actually chewing the desert itself & then spit it out in the trash. If w/in 30 mins afterwards I still feel hungry then more then likely I probably am hungry. I have a pre-measured "snack" plate & I'll put some cottage cheese & those kids snack size fruit containers (usually 1/2 the container if I mix it w/cottage cheese) for a snack to fill me up if I"m hungry before my meal time. Now if the gum satisfies me for more then 30 mins afterwards or I noticed the hunger disappeared as soon as I got some flavor of the gum in my mouth .... then it's head hunger. Head hunger for me is less torturous when I watch the food channel, LMAO! Watching people make food actually distracts me because I begin to think of how I can change the meal to meet my needs. 

So those are things I use. You are more then welcomed to see if they work for you. If they don't, follow other suggestions. But plz plz plz - call your surgeons office & ask for a canceled appt. Call everyday if you have to. But don't make yourself sit there & suffer for longer then need to be.