Question:
I'm not feeling full

I am 5 weeks post op with a lap band. I just had my 1st fill of 1cc. So far, I'm not feeling full. How much should the pouch hold? Should I measure all food out? I didn't get much help in the nutrition department from our doctor. I also read on another post not to drink diet drinks. I know that on my post op 1-2 week instructions it said no carbonated drinks, but after that time it was ok. Is this incorrect or just a doctor by doctor choice. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks - Kim    — kbrown (posted on June 1, 2006)

June 1, 2006
Drinking any carbonated drink will expand your openings and your stomach and then you eat more. Just make sure you drink your water, don't drink with your meals for 1/2 hour prior and 1/2 hour after. Eat protein first, at least 2-3 ozs. then add veggies (low carb) and fruit. Try not to eat more than 50 carbs a day. Eat 4 mini meals if you are still feeling hungry. I did not have lap band but I would tell these things to any WLS patient. Best of Luck...
   — vhoupt

June 1, 2006
Hi Kim, Here is the link for the Lap Band forum, maybe someone there can help you. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/posts.html MaryLyn
   — Kriola

June 1, 2006
Kim You haven't reached restriction yet....1cc is probably not enough for you (I say probably, because for some crazy reason, some people's fill don't kick in for several days--mine were 10 days later!). It took me to 3.5cc before i got restriction, but of course that is all individual. Before restriction, the food basically just falls right through to the lower stomach--so you won't be getting full on the minute amounts you are probably expecting. This stage takes tons of patience!:) Also remember, full will feel different now. Its hard to explain, but it just does--so try to remember that when you are fighting head hunger. Maybe aim for 3 ounches of protein (remember, protein first, that will also help to feel full) and maybe a 1/2 to 1 cup of veggies. If you are eatingly healthy, i wouldn't worry so much about amounts right now...again, until restricted you basically don't have a pouch. The first few months of banding is for healing, not so much weight loss. Take it easy, get used to chewing slowly and making good choices. Also, even though a few docs still say it, most agree you can drink right up until you eat. With the band, liquids will flow right through, so it shouldn't affect your food consumption...though you should wait about 30 min (or longer) after eating to drink...that can be hard at first, but it becomes habit, no big deal. Each doc is different in their rules for carbonation--but I don't risk it--and some day it can stretch out your pouch. Some people have a hard time burping after banding so it can be a problem. good luck!
   — jessicamegan

June 1, 2006
Hi Kim- I am also 5 weeks post-op and hungry. I have not had a fill yet- my surgeon does not do them until at least 8-10 weeks post-op. He has a very strict nutrition program- I can only eat 2 oz of cottage cheese, beans, chicken, fish; 3 oz of yogurt or bean soup; 1 egg; or 2 string cheeses every 3-4 hours. After next week I can have 2 oz lean beef and then in 2 weeks I can add 1 oz of fruit/veggies. If I have not eaten at least 60gms of protein then I have a protein shake made with milk before bed. The nutritionist said no more sodas ever!!! Boy, was that a hard thing to give up. She said the carbonation can stretch out the pouch and allow you to eat more and not feel full. Everything I have read says we will feel hungry until we reach our "sweet spot" with the fills, and unfortunately it is different for everybody. I just try to keep the end goal in mind everytime my belly is growling :) which is often.-- Melissa, Chlt, NC
   — doublememories

June 2, 2006
hey kim! I just had my first fill on the 31st. I dont know if your doctor did it but my doctor used the xray while doing my fill so I was able to watch how it works. he did a little bit of a fill then he had me drink some stuff and i was able to see it go down into my stomach. My total fill that day was 2.5cc. He said that at this point I wont feel full it will just be a feeling of heavyness in my upper stomach. I have not been measuring all my food, for me it just reminds myself how little I am eating and I dont want it to trun into a mindset that will make me hungery all the time. I have drank a couple of sip of soda I cant lie. But that was going to be my biggest problem I told my doctor i just get ice and pour some in and let it sit for a little bit and get some of the fiz out. I dont over endulge but it cuts a craving. He was fine with it and so was my nutritionist. but each are different. my doctor says it is just fine to drink up intill the time you eat. He recommends not to drink for a hour after. if need be he said to take a sip if my mouth is dry. His reasoning is because at this early stage we dont feel as full so this keeps this fullness longer and of course because of dumping syndrome! I hope this helps its good to see some others with lap bads especially some one who had it done around the same time. Some times if feel like im going nuts because im not sure what is happening to me is happening to others. Take care- Daylene
   — KEUKAHI

June 2, 2006
daylene--i am confused about something you wrote. you mentioned not drinking because of dumping--bandsters don't dump. that is only with the malabsorptive procedures. (rny, ds) the reason to not drink after eating is to let the food stay in the upper pouch as long as possible, so as to keep the full feeling longer.
   — jessicamegan