I can't tell if I have a band or not! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

hihiknez · 10-02-2009, 11:22 PM

I am so confused- im starting to freak out that there is no band in me at all! The first two days I was totally just sipping things and leaving it at that- I felt hungry but was in too much pain to worry about it. Then the third day my pain got a bit better and I noticed the hunger more and I ate bigger bites and instead of a half of a jello cup I ate the whole thing. I felt a little "pressure" but I still can't tell if that is the band and the blockage I am supposed to feel when I have filled up my pouch. Then tonight I went ahead and had a cup of the potato soup I made for my parents' birthday party tomorrow and I really didn't eat it any slower than before and I feel full but I didn't get that intense pressure I was expecting since a cup should be more than I can take right? I mean if the pouch is the size of a golf ball! Now I feel guilty but I was just trying to convince myself that there is a band in there. I know it doesn't have a fill in it yet...but still! Why can I eat so much!?? When I go in for my first fill, by god I better get sick and be in pain if I eat that much food then! I'm worried that I have to wait so long before the firt fill. I hope someone can explain this to me! I would really appreciate any feedback! Sorry for the long post-thanks for reading.

poet_kelly · 10-03-2009, 01:11 PM

You haven't had a fill yet. So you really shouldn't have any restriction. Yeah, you have a band, but it's very loose right now. It won't really do anything until you get a fill.

Kelly

suebry05 · 10-03-2009, 04:15 PM

and potato soup ..no chunks?... is a slider food- so its just gonna go thru pretty quickly

If you are really concerned call your doctor..but I think you are fine

GTR-Mark · 10-03-2009, 04:20 PM

Your doctor and his staff should have explained this to you. You should contact them to better understand your first fill schedule and expectations.

hihiknez · 10-03-2009, 04:30 PM

Yeah thats what im figuring out. It just doesn't have much restriction yet. Which is of course why I am still hungry a lot. Thanks everyone- I was panicking for a bit- Im cool now though.

49master · 10-11-2009, 07:09 PM

I had surgery on 10-15-09 when I went to my first appointment two other patients had a lot of restriction by like you I had none I am losing weight but I feel hungry, My doctor said not to worry it is common and things will change when I get my first feel, after seeing the first two patients I think we are lucky, thanks for the post its nice to know I'm not the only one experiencing this.

Lana · 10-11-2009, 09:02 PM

LMAO - don't worry, your band is definitely there

You have to remember that you haven't had a fill yet so your "pouch" is still pretty much the same size as it was before the surgery. You really have no restriction right now. This is the time that your body is healing and trying to accept that foreign object in it.

You must also remember in the future, any soft, liquid-type foods (soups, jello, ice cream) are going to slide right through and won't provide any satiety, so be careful.

Picture your stomach now with the band on it to look like an hourglass. Your pouch being on top, the band being the narrowing, and the rest of your stomach is at the bottom. Any foods you eat will build up at the top and eventually slide through to the bottom part of your stomach. So any soft, mushy kinds of foods will go right through that narrowing without any problem.

You will, of course, have more restriction with each fill and TRUST ME you don't want to eat until you get that "pressure" because you'll be throwing up for a while afterwards.

I hope this helps....and very important - take tiny bites, chew, chew and chew some more, and eat slowly. You'll be much happier for it.

Good Luck!