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I am 40 and am 5 weeks post-op. No complications so far (besides, like everyone else, trying to pass a stone where you shouldn't). Just had my 1 month post op appt earlier today and doc says I'm doing well, I feel excellent, energetic, and have had tons of NSV's in a really short period of time. To the original poster - my 1 week post op appt was a post surgery class that included about 10 other people that were also 1 week post op- I would say at least 7 or 8 out of those 11 people were 40+. I wouldn't worry too much about the age thing.

I turned 41 on 10/28. I was sleeved 10/22. Doing well. Losing slowly it feels like but I feel great and am off all of my diabetes and blood pressure meds. Wish I'd done it so much sooner. Sent from my Pixel 3 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi there! I am in the same boat as you. My band also flipped and was removed in emergency surgery when I went into shock about a month and a half ago. It was so scary and I felt so bad. I could not swallow anything, not even my own saliva. Crazy! I did put on some weight though, about 10 pounds right after surgery. I think that this was mostly Water since I was so dehydrated. So far I am maintaining the weight I am at now. I do miss my band and might get rebanded. Are you planning on getting rebanded? I just do not know if I could go through all the complications again if it happened. It took alot out of my family and friends. How are you feeling now? Is there anything I can help you with. At least we were de banded around the same time! Keep in touch!

I was banded in 11/08 and up until recently only lost about 20 lbs. Restriction up until very recently was hit or miss. I just had my third fill in 7/09 and am finally experiencing a good deal of restriction. I have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band and I'm definitely seeing more weight loss now. Here are a couple of questions now that I'm finally seeing some progress: 1. Is it normal for restriction to "kick in" or feel more pronounced after a couple of weeks of getting a fill? At first I definitely felt the restriction, but it feels even more pronounced a couple of weeks later. 2. How much is a typical amount of food to eat in one sitting? I'm finding that I can only tolerate say a few spoonsful of tuna salad. (Of course prior to having this great restriction, I could eat a lot more...and crackers....so I feel that these "basics" are sort of new to me 9 mos. later.) Thanks in advance for your insight!!

I've put off doing this, but here it is: I had lap-band surgery 3 years ago. About 6 months ago I joined WW and at first it really helped me get back on track, eating-wise. Then it made me downright obsessive about it. I was on 29 points/day and thought,"how about 20?"....then I went down to 17, then 10. I was training for a triathlon at the same time (hence the username) and got to the point where I could no longer sustain workouts on that level of intake. Somewhere along the line I started vomitting....a lot. I went back to my surgeon (easily the worst bedside manner in the world) and he blamed it on me, that I should have come in sooner, etc. I had 1 cc in my band and he did a total unfill. That was over a month ago. I'm still vomitting every day. Sometimes 3 times/day. I won't go back to him. My husband is about to deploy and I just don't need one more stressor right now. If that Dr mouths off to me ONE MORE TIME I will walk out. I'm DONE. This is REALLY on my mind b/c I'm getting my teeth cleaned tomorrow and I'm dreading talking to my dental hygienist about it. I've known her for years. I'm rambling. Anyway, ....hi.

HI Jen. I am scheduled for my Band over Bypass on May 10th. I would love to hear how you progress. I had my RNY surgery in 8/2003 and have gained almost 1/2 of the weight back after 10 years. I hope you feel better with the gas pain. I remember that was horrible after my RNY.

kinda forced to since my short term disability doesn't go into effect til january. but my boyfriend has always told me go about things day by day. this will be a whole new learning experience to take better care of myself and my son as well. my son at the age 10 has been on this journey with me with the eating healthy and going for walks with me. he's a trooper.

Had to delete my app in order to upgrade my phone. I have reinstalled the app now and it's showing my last log was in Jan 2012??? I have lost 10 months of weekly weights and can't find it. I went to the online site and it's the same. Can anyone help??

Hi there, I completely understand where your coming from. I was sleeved on 4/21/10 and everytime I eat something I throw it right up. I've tried eating slower, going back to mushies and last week, I was in the hospital for 5 days because my blood pressure was so low and I was so dehydrated. I'm praying that I didn't make a bad decision by getting sleeved. I hear all these great success stories and I feel so far away from them. I'd love to hear some motivation from some of the older sleevers. Thanks in advance, Daisy

Yes it's so crazy. Well they did give me extra mashed potatoes. But I didn't eat hardly a thing. I've lost 19 pounds so far. I'm hoping ill lose more this week. I've been walking a whole lot.

Do your cardio first thing in the morning if you can. Try to get 20-40min. I find that gets me burning all day long! Don't get hung up on what kind youre doing or what machine you're on, if youre sweating, youre doing great! If the higher intensitry stuff is too much right now, stick to the bike. Showing up is what's most important. Don't set up hurdles for yourself. Make it a routine that you cant imagine breaking. Your body will adapt and improve and before you know it, you can start blending in a couple minutes of higher intensity machines. I started bike only and now I do 20 on the bike followed by 10-20 on a skiier or stair climber. Those things HURT!

Basically what happened is.....I have UHC, but this particular plan does not cover bariatric care at all. So, I paid for the surgery myself. Well, in order to get insurance to pay on the surgery, they billed "unlisted liver procedure" instead of wedge liver biopsy...."unlisted procedure, stomach" rather than gastric bypass...."adhesion repair" rather than lap-band removal...and also charged for a (hiatal) hernia repair. Mind you, all of those things were to be INCLUDED in my revision surgery (that's why it's more expensive than a "virgin" bypass), but they had my insurance information from my (original) consultation and submitted it. Since the coding "appeared" medical, UHC covered a pretty significant portion of it. Thinking I should get a refund for anything that insurance DID pay, I phoned the office to find out when I'd get a refund check and, to my surprise, they said they would be keeping BOTH payments! Adhesions were expected, due to the band; I've had a hiatal hernia for OVER 10 years, but the op report reads as if it was "discovered" during surgery!!! Adding what they billed insurance PLUS what I paid up front, my surgery was nearly $58,000!!! That is ridiculous. The average for bypass is $22,000, which is what I "self" paid prior to surgery. Just a side note....I had NO complications, NO unexpected/unplanned procedure and the hospital and anesthesiologist both wrote off ALL charges except what I paid up front...only the surgeon billed/was paid by my insurance company. I tried to "appeal", but UHC wouldn't since it was not a denial. The insurance commission only regulates insurance, not MD's. The Medical Board only cares if you have "injuries" (for malpractice), they don't care about how the MD codes the surgery. Most patients don't mind because, had UHC NOT paid, they would not have billed me anything....they would have just " settled" for what I paid them up front. Because the patient usually doesn't get a bill, most don't mind and/or don't complain when the doctor submits "medical" codes and gets payment. It is a common practice by bariatric surgeons (even the "good" ones!), but it's wrong, wrong, wrong. I am continuing to pursue it because I work in the healthcare industry and I am just so infuriated by all the fraud, abuse and waste in "the system" that I am not going to let them get away with this, even though almost all of them do it!! Sorry to go on and on, but I am just SOOOOO frustrated and angry that I go on a rant when I discuss it. I asked all the right questions, reviewed the contract, etc., etc., and I STILL got "used". I am still trying to work with UHC to either ask the doctor for a refund or else tell him he needs to refund it to me...even if I don't get it, I don't want the doctor paid twice. If your insurance doesn't cover your surgery and you end up paying yourself....BE SURE that you have an "iron-clad" contract and understanding with your physician about what will be billed and HOW it will be billed. As a side note, even my PCP said it's "illegal as hell" (quote, sorry for the language) the way they billed it; it's not just me being upset because I didn't get a refund.

Follow your guidelines of course but for me I was cleared to try anything I wanted at four weeks. I found cucumber to REALLY fill me up and it felt like it sat in my stomach for hours. Bought bags of baby cucumbers and would have one with either a dab of cottage cheese or French onion dip.. would be my dinner or lunch for quite some time. But like anything I eat too often I burned out on them. Still have one now and then… my main dinners are usually cold cuts and some cheese, or I’ll have a bite of whatever I make for my kids, so I’ll never have anything pretty to post in the before and after meals thread. I’m fortunate that I still have good restriction and zero hunger (10 months so far) and I’m riding that train as far as it’ll take me. But until I got to that true solid food phase I was in a similar situation and if it wasn’t for the photo of my removed stomach I would have been worried they didn’t really do anything because the mushy stuff just didn’t make me feel full at all.

Thanks for the tip. It looks like a lot of stores carry it, but I'd never heard of it before. 1/4 cup has 130 cals, 4 grams fat, 8 grams of fiber, 14 grams of protein, and 10 grams of carbs. It sounds like it's a good filling snack, with a nice kick of fiber and protein.

I wanted to be the first to wish all my Bandaversary friends a Happy Bandaversary....... It is hard to believe it has been a year this month for us. We have all been thru alot. I doubt any of us has regrets. Everyone is doing so well. We have shared alot of difficult and happy times on this website and for this I say Thank You to all my Mayo Banditos.......................... The only regret I have - I should of done this 5 years ago. In any event , it is done and I feel great. I think I put 10 years back on my life. This has been of one the best decisions in my life........:thumbdown: So far, maintaining has been easier than I thought. I am loose enough to eat more but tight enough not to get out of hand. I met someone for lunch a few weeks ago in NYC for lunch and he walked right past me in the restaurant looking for me. lol..lol. The end of the month should be interesting.....My son is a Marine and he has been in Okinawa for the last 2 years. I saw him one year ago. I think he will be in shock :blushing: when I see me at the airport...........

Hello to every one and nice to meet you all. I guess pain wise I am doing good have not needed to take any pain med yet. coughing at the main port sight is a not so fun time and sneezing that takes your breath away for a second but the pain subsides. My main issue and question is everyone tells me the vomiting will go away in a week or so well the problem is I have not even felt like vomiting. I am doing the liquid diet thing but I have not felt full or nauseous. I have been holding back eating large amounts because I do not want the band to slip or anything. i feel like my biggest issue now is being SOOO tired of the liquid diet even a piece of dry toast would be a banquette right now. Any suggestions or comments and should i be worried something came unhooked or something as I do not feel sick at all? Thanks Rich

I'm about 10 weeks out. After waiting for an hour and a half, I saw the PA, and not the surgeon. I've lost about 51 lbs, and they seemed ok with that. I guess I expect too much out of myself.

banded 12/19/07 :phanvan

E - I have been following the band diet for about a month. Well, sort of. I am not consciously restricting the quantity, or even protein first, carb second, but am doing the "chew.... chew... chew" routine, and no liquid during the meal. The result is that I am not eating as much. I get full faster, and have lost 10 lbs without even trying. I actually left some hamburger and fries at Red Robin the other night.:clap2: I have also been sampling the protein drinks, soups, etc., because I want to know now what I like and what I don't. So, I think in general, eating the bandster way is a good thing. JMHO

Vegas Wildflower-- That's what I must do!!! I cannot eat until about 10:30am!! It's a challenge at times.....but WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -59lbs

I was unfilled from being too tight and also needing a hernia repair. I'm about 10 days out from the hernia repair, and will start getting refilled soon. Just have to get my head right, and make it a way of life, not a diet. You can do it! I'm glad you're going to the surgery, and just to reiterate, it's never too late to restart, that's what is so great about lapband!

Was your fill done under fluoro? Have you had it "looked" at to make sure all is well? I understand not wanting to be overfilled, that is not safe. I have noticed, the lower I get weight wise, the slower the weight comes off, but even tho I am not losing much weight, I am still losing some inches---and my body is readjusting. I have gone down another pant size, but the measurements in my arms, and calves have gone up---likely due to exercise, and weight lifting---but I LOOK better, regardless what the scale says. I also lost very quickly the first 6 months, and slower now, but do not feel like a failure----I have lost over 80 pounds----even if the last 10 have been slower than molasses---I have lost them---and will continue to work at it! What kind of exercise are you doing? Maybe it is time to pump it up a bit? Kat

I've probably beaten this horse dead in other threads, but this is a new one and you may not have heard it: I lost only 60 pounds in my first 8 months or so. A few of those months had plateaus. I can relate to the discouragement, for sure! I was self-pay as well, and heck, why the heck did I go with this band thing if I was only going to lose 60 of the 150 I had to lose??? Long story short: I changed my attitude one day. Not sure how, but one day it just changed. I realized the amazingly primitive discovery of calories in-calories out... oh my I just wrote this long post but the less-than symbol screwed it up and half of it got deleted. I'll do my best to remember what I typed: Ahem. So I started counting calories. Made sure I had at least a 1,000 calorie/day deficit. I monitor my calorie burn by using the BodyBugg (my saving grace gadget, costs about $400 but it's well worth it). I pre-made food and then portioned them out into suck-n-seal baggies, wrote the calorie & Protein content on the bags, and stuck them in the freezer. That way I always had something on hand to just boil right in the bag when I got hungry. I also got very hooked on physical activity. I learned to love jogging and biking, and then I learned to love swimming and hiking and kayaking and skiing. The world got so much bigger! I eventually got so hooked on physical activity that I had my band loosened a tad. I can eat about 1,800 calories a day now, but I still burn about 2,300 on a fairly lazy day. So I'm typically still losing between 1-2 pounds per week. I just make SURE I get that deficit in every day. If it's 10:30 at night and I have 300 calories left to burn for the day, I get my tail out the door and go jogging! I know calorie counting can be a pain in the butt in the beginning, but it gets a lot easier over time and becomes no big deal after awhile. The beauty of this system is that it allows you to cheat when you want to. You realize pretty quick it's not worth the extra calories, but if I'm at a birthday part and want a little ice cream, I know I can simply work out a little harder that day or the next, or cut down a little on other calories. Good luck to you. This discouragement will pass. You'll lose again if you keep up the good work. I promise.

giogirl I've only been banded for 10 days and I'm well into mushy foods. I lost 10 lbs on the liquid diet and just recently lost another 2 while eating semi-solids. I started back in the gym a few days ago on the eliptical machine. As soon as I started back in the gym I noticed that I have gained the 2 lbs I lost . I contacted my dietician and she informed me that I am not consuming enough calories to sustain myself. I would burn 400 cals in the gym and only eat a total of 800 calories in a day meaning I only gave my body 400 calories to live on. I've up'd my calorie intake to at least 1200 calories a day when I hit the gym this gives my body around 800 to 900 calories to live on. If you do not take in enough calories your body will naturally fight to save your life by retaining every calorie you consume for energy to stay alive. It will store those calories, fat, sugars and everything else if it thinks you are starving to death. You can easily put yourself in stavation mode if youre not careful (especially on the immediate post op diets we have to stick to) This is just my two cents but when I weigh in at the doc's office tomorrow I hope to see that I have lost and not gained becasue of the changes my dietician suggested. Hope this helps. Todd

Glad to hear you are doing ok. I am having my port replaced Tuesday 10/27/15, excited and scared.