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57 here - and walking is my exercise of choice for now. (I'm 6 weeks out). Now that it's a bit warmer during the day I walk a mile during my lunch hour (since that time is no longer all about eating!) and then I'll have some sliced turkey and cheese (no bread) and I feel great for the rest of the day. I'll also go to the gym with my 17 year old daughter and do the treadmill and some light weight lifting. For a former couch potato, I'm doing pretty good! I hope to become more active but for now - baby steps!!

How much did you eat per meal when you started the purée stage? I've seen 1/4 cup, 2 oz, 3 Tablespoons and so on. My nutrition guidelines list acceptable foods but do not specify amounts. Any help is much appreciated!

I know it's very common to develop gallstones after WLS. Today, I touched my stomach, just to the right of where my gallbladder should be and I felt a little pain. The pain was equivalent to that of a big pimple or a cyst that was ready to pop. It seems to move around a little too. Could this be a gallstone? Do they make the surrounding tissue sensitive to touch? I have no other symptoms so I don't plan on reaching out to my doctor, but I will tell him at my next appointment in 3 weeks.

Whether or not you have excess skin relies on lots of things---but rate of loss is not one of them. (People who have gastric bypass may seem to more dramatically develop the issue, but that is simply because their loss is more rapid. The rapid loss does not CAUSE the problem; the loss causes the problem--which means that yes, it can indeed occur after banding.) The things that influence the degree to which you are affected include age, genetics, smoking history, sun exposure history, how much excess weight you carried, how long you were overweight, how many pregnancies you have had, how many times you had large fluctuations in weight, and so on. Losing fast, losing slow---it doesn't really matter. Think of a balloon. If you blow it up to capacity, then let the air out, it looks pretty much the same. If you do this many times, it starts to change. It gets less elastic, striations appear in the latex. Your skin is pretty similar. If it's stretched and stretched, then the tension is released (again, fast or slow, doesn't matter), then elasticity is lost, especially if there is yo-yoing. There isn't much one can do about this other than hope for good luck and good genetics. Meeting your nutritional needs can give skin what it needs, too---that for sure is important. (Get enough Protein and Fluid, get adequate heart-healthy fat, take a good-quality bariatric Multivitamin.) Exercise to build a good "scaffold" for your skin to drape on. Know that exercise will not tighten skin, but will improve your health and appearance anyway. I'm almost 49, am almost 90 down from banding almost 10 months ago (and over 100 down from my highest), and have been very, very pleased with how many of my body parts have rebounded. OTOH, I have had 3 pregnancies, breastfed, and am no spring chicken; I have a plastic surgery consult scheduled for May, when I'll be in the surgeon's city for my daughter's graduation. I am nearing goal. I look pretty darn good in clothes. I look a HELL of a lot better naked than I did before losing weight. If I decide to proceed with surgery, it will really just be icing on the cake, something to do for MYSELF, to complete the journey. But the laxity of the skin is not something that torments me----really, it is weirdly symbolic of the positive changes I've made. ETA: To answer your other questions: I am aiming for the lower end of the normal BMI scale because my frame is small. Since yours is large, I'd go for a bit higher on the BMI scale. "Normal" BMI is defined as 18.9-24.9. At your height, you'd hit the high end at 159 pounds. I've had great success! I'm 0.4 pounds away from 90 pounds down, and have not yet hit the 10-month mark. The band has really addressed my particular weight issues, and I've found it quite easy to work with. I was taken aback by the hair loss that occurred beginning around 4 months postop. This is a result of an interruption in the hair growth cycle caused by the trauma of surgery and anesthesia. While it's important to make sure you get the right nutrients (protein, fluid, Biotin, zinc), and it can be helpful to use growth-promoting shampoos/conditioners such as Nioxin, really---it's just a matter of time. Just when I thought it would really become noticeable to others, my normal hair growth resumed---no harm, no foul. Otherwise, it's been pretty smooth sailing for me. I accepted the lifestyle changes (permanent eating changes, a lifelong need for daily exercise) pretty happily---so I have no real complaints.

I started eating Vlasic Snack'umms dill pickles at 6 weeks. No problems whatsoever!

I was craving red meat starting right away at the beginnig my 2 week pre-op diet, all the way through the first 4 weeks post op. As soon as I hit that 4 week mark, I bought a little fresh ground chuck and threw a mini-burger on the grill. It was the most incredible thing I've ever eaten, pre- or post-op.

Everyone is different. I couldn't drive for 2 weeks due to fatigue.

I had to loose 30 lbs my surgery is on Monday I did the liquid diet for 2.5 weeks it will be a total of 3 weeks by Monday I have already lost 26 lbs. Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App

I was banded on 3/3/11 it's been 1 week and 3 days. I have started the mushy diet after the strict liquid but I have no restriction and can eat everything just as i could pre op. Is this how it's supposed to feel until the first fill? I find myself constantly hungry and it's driving me nuts. I am trying not to eat too much as I don't want to cause any damage. Please Advise in desperate need of some answers. Thanks Cara

Hi Cara, Normally I wouldn't suggest this since you are just recently banded but have you considered counting calories and food journaling? I ask because it sounds like you are exercising already and with a gain, I just wonder what range of calories you might be taking in. I was on 1/4 cup of food for six weeks after surgery then told to increase to 1/3 cup for two weeks then 1/2 cup after that. I don't have any fill in my band yet but I'm not sure I need it. My next appointment is in early May so I might consider it then depending on how I'm doing. Sure, I get hungry but no matter what I stick to my surgeon's guidelines. I am waiting for the other shoe to fall and to experience the intense hunger that I read about. Bottom line here though - the first six weeks or so are for healing. That being said, most of us want to lose weight during that time and usually do. I found that food journaling helped me a lot - for example, when I saw that I had only taken in 500 calories but gained .2 on the scale then I realized it wasn't my fault for overeating (as it had been in the past). It helped me realize that sometimes other factors that are uncontrollable get in the way. Don't worry if it doesn't happen right away. It will happen. Also, Cara, since you identify as a food addict - have you considering attending Food Addicts Anonymous meetings? They have online meetings and local meetings (depending on where you live). Check out: http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/ Do you best to stick to your surgeon's plan. You'll do great.

Thanks Lizzy, I will definitely take that into consideration. I have my two week post op visit coming up so I am going to address these issues with the Dr. I will also follow your advice of keeping it to 4oz at a time. The post op diet I was given suggested 6 to 8 oz.. I wait 1 hour before drinking any liquids after eating. It's a struggle but I'm determine to have the lap band work for me. All the comments and replies has really helped me and gave me encouragement. So I just want to Thank each and every one of you again for the support : )

I would be going crazy. Mine had me pre-approved. Just had to wait for the cardiac clearance. Then it came in, she called me the next day for picking a date for surgery, appointment with anesthesiologist and have a 3hr class. It all fell perfectly in place and I was in surgery 2 weeks from that phone call. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I'm sure there are others who know way more than me but here's some that I found to be good. Fish- Just about any kind although I think cod is up towards the top as far as protein, also calamari is a great source of protein but be careful as it can be chewy and don't get it fried. Cottage cheese- It's basic but gives you good protein Eggs- I usually have them scrambled or boiled Hamburger- Make sure you get the extra lean type Those are some of my big ones. Hope this helps you. For the first few weeks it will probably be hard to get enough protein without powders and supplements but once you get to mushies and regular food it gets much easier. Make sure you follow your doctors guidelines no matter what as some of these foods you wont be able to have for several weeks. Good luck!! Christy

Hi, bacon-- My revision was February 17, and I spent three days in the hospital. Challenges getting in fluids and extreme grogginess extended my hospital stay by one day. Throughout my recovery, I've had, and continue to have, difficulty getting in fluids and foods. Two weeks ago, I had a scope that revealed a stricture, which was inhibiting my ability to keep down Protein shakes and Water let alone anything pureed. It was cleared, but I continue to throw up and experience inconsistencies with even the softest of foods. My recovery is harrowing from my perspective, but I was able to return to work after three weeks, one week sooner than I'd planned. I was banded in 2009 and lost 40 pounds. Since the revision in February, I've lost 30. I'm also off of two of my blood pressure medications and taking half of the antidepressants I used to, results I never achieved with the band. In spite of this, however, I have regrets. The constant vomiting and feeling of fullness in my esophagus is like still having a band. I have a lot of anxiety around eating and have all but stopped doing it. I also have unpredictable stomach pains and explosive bowel movements. In summary, if I had the revision to do over again, I don't know that I would. Good luck with your decision!

My band is driving me nuts at the moment. I do have an added complication of MS which is making my muscles sluggish, brief outline. had band and built up to a fill of 5.5ml in a 11ml band. Ok then couldnt keep food down, repeat this process until I am now at 2ml in my band (nothing really) since March. All was good until this last 2-3 weeks when my band will allow me to eat in the day but come evening it wont stay down. I have tried being really careful with my diet and at the moment it consists of 1st thing a Malted drink to start the day 10am rice pudding pot size of yoghurt 12am a bowl of smooth Soup Mid afternoon a small snack Evening mash, veg and gravy (no meat at the mo) All day fine then dinner comes up. Been careful not to eat to much too. I do have the odd day that I can eat fine too even in the evening. I cant help but think that its down to my muscles and MS not having the strength to push food through and my MS is playing up at the moment. I am gonna see my doc but anyone else get this. I cant think that it is slippage because I can eat pretty well during the day with not problems at all. I have lost weight again too,now at lowest I have been (good but not how I would like to). any comments or suggestions welcome. I am over soup:redface: Jo

Ok I have been looking on this site for one person who has Multiple sclerosis and the lapband like me. I want to know how is it working for you? I have a few more questions that I would like to ask. I was diagnosed about 3 maybe 4 years ago. That alone has been a journey now I'm taking on another journey with my Multiple sclerosis. My M.s has affected my right eye and my left leg. Dont get me wrong i have alot of the M.S trates like the stumbling slurred speach etc. but my leg and eye is by far my worst M.S symtome. well no real since of talking about until someone gets back to me

Hey Ladies, Please hang in there. It does get better. I really hated the gas pains and they were the worst. My advice is to: walk as much as you can (walking around Target or Wal Mart counts), use a heating pad or warm bean bag on your shoulders, chew gas x, take your pain meds, drink as much Water as you can, drink your Protein (it will take a while to get down) and take more gas x . Once you get over the gas and find your rhythm you will be so much happier. Also- follow the bandster rules: Slowly progress through liquids, purees, mushies, soft solids, then real food, eat slowly, chew chew chew, don't drink anything during or after meals (for 90 minutes), and eat only a cup of food at a time. It seems really overwhelming at this moment, but take it one day at a time, then a week at a time. It will soon feel like second nature to you if you accept the path you are on. I wish you luck and much success. I know you can do it!

Just thouht I would go ahead and register here and say hello. I see LOTS of people here who I have gotten to know (passively or actively) on other boards. I am always looking for good ideas and to share the journey with others. I was banded by Dr Johnell in Colorado on 11/4/04. I have lost 30 pounds, but most of that was immediately post surgery. Since then, I have lost about 1 pound a week for the last couple of months. I have had 4 fills, and am at about 1.7 as it was measured, and I am really just getting used to having restriction.

Hi Dawn, I just thought I would share my first fill experience since it was a bit different than what Sue described... and as we know, just about every doctor is different. My doctor asked me to eat soft foods for the first 48 hours. I was back on solid foods with no problems after this period. My doctor only uses floro for fills if she is having a problem accessing the patients port. She also does not numb the area first. I had to have 2 sticks before she got my port, but it really wasn't that bad, kind of like getting lab work done. When she missed that was more painful because the needle was hitting tissue and not the port. Once she got the port, I didn't feel anything. I think this is subjective. My doc was only going to start me with 1/2 cc, but the folks from Inamed had just been out for a visit and told them to start first fills with 1cc. So, I got 1cc and felt a little restriction for the first 1 to 11/2 weeks. Now, I can eat almost the same as preband... my portions are not exactly the same size... but way too much to lose weight. I have actually gained 2lbs and I had only lost 15 in my healing phase. I was told to wait 6 weeks for my second fill and tried to call about going in early, but my doc wants us to work in a consistent plan and told me to try eating about 5 small meals vs. 3 large ones and keep up my exercise. I have 3 more weeks before I can get another fill and it will be a challenge not to gain more weight back. I hope you are successful and feel great restriction after your first fill, but if you are anything like me... PLEASE don't be discouraged if it disappears after a couple of weeks. Hopefully, if you do have my same experience, your doctor won't make you wait 6 weeks for fill number 2. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Take Care,

Hi Everyone, I had surgery June 2nd and I have been struggling a lot with nausea and the thought of anything makes me gag I gave told my doctor and they say its related to acid so I'm on generic prilosec 2x a day and gaviscon in the afternoon but nothing is helping me I can't get my protein or really anything down and I've already been to er and had to get iv fluids and they gave me zofran but it doesn't seem to work much I also had a cat scan of my stomach which showed no leaks I am really feeling like things are never going to get better anyways if there is anyone who can relate and has advice on what helped them pls let me know also has anyone else had trouble with prilosec not working and if so what antacid worked for you ? I'm 4 weeks post-op !!!!

I was off work for two weeks after surgery. I didn't have any complications -- in fact I had a great and fast recovery -- but it did take me a while to get my energy back. For the first couple of weeks I was napping once if not twice a day, and I never, ever nap otherwise. Other people have faster recoveries in terms of getting their energy back, others slower. Good luck!

thank you! I know it will get better, but I can't picture having this pain for 3 weeks since im only 5 days post op! I wish they had something for pulled muscles

I haven't weighed myself, im only 5 days post op, I will wait until I go to my 2week visit. I feel if I lose 25lbs in 3 Weeks I would jumping with joy. I would be so worried if I were you. Stress doesn't help losing lbs. Sent from my DROID RAZR using LapBandTalk

I was allowed to drink coffee one week post op, call your doctor and ask.

My doctor told me to wait 2 weeks after surgery