Question:
entering week four after lap band surgery and eating salad, chicken, ect...

but i find that now, the end of week 3, i am hungry...not quit normal hungry but not as full as week 1 and 2. i am going for my fill on friday (2 days), is it normal to feel this hungry at this point?? is my stomach not really restricted with liquid at this point because the swelling went down??    — jordanty (posted on July 9, 2008)

July 9, 2008
Hi Shannon, I am having the same problem. It started the 3rd week for me too. It was wonderful the first 3 weeks feeling full after eating small meals. I already went for my first fill and I feel no different. I am pretty sure that if I was to try to eat too much, I would not be able to, however, I am eating way to much to lose any weight. The way I am eating now is a good maintenance diet. I go back to my surgeon next Tuesday and I am assuming that when I tell him that I am not getting filled up, he is going to adjust the band. I will let you know how I make out. I have been on other sites and there are quite a few of us who are way too hungry. So I have a feeling, its not you....its just the way it is. Good Luck. Joyce
   — joycemarra

July 9, 2008
First, I have to say I'm surprised and envious that you're already eating salads at week four! I was banded on April 29, 2008 and I was not on regular foods until my 8 week follow up - not that I had any complications (to the contrary, I had an amazing surgery and recovery), but that's just the way my doctor is. When I did go for the follow up, I told the doctor that I wanted a fill - he has a chart on the wall and it's broken down into three areas. Yellow, Green and Red - you want to be in the green area since that is the optimum feeling you should have with your band. I was right in between the yellow and green - I could eat a lot more than I knew I should be eating, so I made sure to measure my food and keep on track, otherwise I knew that I'd be in bad shape. You're right on thinking that the stomach isn't restricted at this point - even though you have the band, it's not filled so there's not much restriction. You will feel hungry, that's why it is so important to be sure to eat protein with each meal, and to have three small snacks during the day, preferrably something with protein in it. I'm now 10 weeks out with a fill of 2cc - and there are some days that I feel I could wipe out a buffet with no problem, and other days that I can just manage getting the minimum amount of food down. It's all part of our new journey in life. Good luck.
   — Monte57

July 9, 2008
You are exactly right to assume that your swelling has gone down and you have very little restriction now. That means it is time to "deploy the band" and put your tool to work. Get your fills and you will get a little more restriction each time. Getting to the "sweet spot" with the perfect amount of restriction takes time. I have had my band just shy of 2 years now and had all of the fluid taken out a few weeks ago after repeated massive stoma swelling episodes with too much restriction. I had an upper GI and had a fill last week. When I had an empty band, it was as if I had never had surgery at all, no restriction and I could eat way too much. I had to be very sure to make good choices as my tool wasn't deployed. I missed my band sooo much. I have gotten so used to the combination of mind and tool in my weight loss efforts.... it's really wonderful. Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

July 9, 2008
Hi, I Just got my first fill, I'm 6 weeks out of Lapbanding. I could eat anything before the fill. I didn't believe the doctor when she told me that I needed to have liquid or soft foods today, well I sure do now. Just having 4 oz. of yogurt is filling me. If I eat too quickly I get "stuck". Unpleasant. The band is a great tool. I'm glad I selected that as my tool. I know you will do great. Best wishes, Mary-Anne
   — mannecote

July 9, 2008
Shannon, you are right the swelling has gone down and you can eat because of no restriction. I was six weeks out before I could get my first fill (doctor requirement). I had my surgery on 4-16-08 and I am down 36 pounds and a lot of inches. I just love my band. You will also have head hunger and that is what I had to deal with (thank God for my therapist) My surgeon said that eating salad is what you can eat most of because it is just water...Good Luck
   — dyates2948

July 10, 2008
Most of what you are feeling is head hunger and it will come and go....since you have little restriction it's normal and you are doing fine.......there are several sites on yahoo that deal strickly with lap band and you might want to check them out....go to Yahoo Groups and type in Bandbuddies......you can use this site as well as that one and get all the infor you will ever need.Pam / Ft Worth ...Bandster Bites [email protected]
   — pphillips4720aol.com