djbryan51

I'm 61 and I don't think it is to late to have the surgery, in fact I will start making arrangements about October. My insurance won't pay for it so I am going to have to self-pay but it will be worth it. Check out the sixties forum. You'll meet a lot of people our age and older who have been banded.

I've heard people mention they can't eat bread after banding. Is this all breads or can you have like leftsa, flat bread, tortillas etc. Just kind of curious.

Maybe it sounds silly but meeting an old boyfriend from 40 years ago really got me thinking about seriously trying to loose weight. Last time he saw me I weighed 110 lbs. Well to say the least it was a shock (which he covered well) when he saw me a nearly 300 lbs. I went on Medifast and later Weight Watchers but just gained everything back. This spring I started having some problems which requires surgery but my doctor said that there was no way he would operate on me unless I lost 100 lbs. With my weight and Afib he said I wouldn't make it. Talk about a wake up call! Both he and my cardiologist recommended the lapband. My husband and I went to a seminar and came home to discuss it. He is retiring this next month so funds are going to very limited but he agreed that this is something I need to do unfortunately our insurance doesn't cover WLS so this is going to be all out of pocket. I was hoping to get started in September but it looks like it will be November before I can even begin scheduling any appointments. Am I scared? I'm terrified but it is the fear of failure not the surgery. I can't fail at this because there will be no second chance.

That's a question I hadn't thought of. How long does a band last? Am I going to have to pay again in 5-10 years to replace a band? Sorry Pamela for stepping into your posting but that could make a big difference in my decision to have a lapband or not.

One more question. What is Plication and how does it relate to banding?

Hi, I'm 61 also. I am just starting on my journey and hope to be able to get banded even if I have to pay for it myself. Right now I'm filling out my paperwork for insurance verification but I really don't think our insurance will cover it, My cardiologist suggested this two years ago but I wasn't open to it. Then I hit 306 lbs. At 5 ft that is a huge amount. I'd dropped about 15 lbs and hold about 290. In April my gyn told me I needed a hysterecomy and sent me to a specialist. He said flat out he wouldn't even attempt surgery unless I lost 100 lbs. His next words were "Have you considered bariatric surgery?" You don't need to hit me with a 2x4 for me to see that this was looking like my only option. So dispite the insurance if God wants me to have this surgery- it is as good as done!

Sorry for more questions but can some one explain PB'ing and sliming? I have heard these terms used often but not sure what they are? Deb

Hubby and I went to Vancouver for my information seminar. It lasted a little over 2 hours but it was very informative about all three types of surgery. Cathy said that right now the doctors have been doing more "sleeves" than bands because the weight loss is faster. It is a toss up as to which I would choose but sometimes fast isn't always the best. Next step is to send in my insurance paperwork and find out if it will be covered. I have a very sick feeling that we have a no exception clause in our contract with Premera and they won't even consider it. I'm not going to get my hopes up because I don't want to be disappointed. Like all things it is in God's hands and if this is what is meant to be then it will out work out. Deb

Way to go! Congratulations!

How many have had their bands for 10 years or more? Just remembered another comment from a doctor. He said that the band worked fine for some people but most people gained their weight back after about 10 years. Since I don't personally know anyone with a band I'm curious about his statement. Fact or misinformation? Deb Sorry to ask these questions but that is a lot of money when you are on a limited income and I don't need something that will quit working after a few years and needs to be replaced.

Thanks to all who have wrote back. I haven't changed my mind about the band and go to my first seminar tomorrow night. Looking forward to it. I talked to mom the other day and she said Gary told her that depending on how I did maybe he would look into it. He is a good guy but he "What if's" everything to death. Some times you just have to take a step in faith and trust that everything in going to be o.k. Congratulations Jim! You're doing fantastic! Deb

Oh this hasn't changed my decision any but I think it is sad. How many other people might not get the help they need due to incorrect information or personal prejudice on a doctor's part. I've learned you have to check and investigate things for yourself to be able to make a fair decision. I go for my first seminar Wednesday and can't wait! Deb

I was talking to my baby brother today and was telling him that I had decided to go the lapband if I can. I told him he really should look into it. He weighs about 400 lbs. He said his doctor was very much against it. He told him that 1 out of every 250 people die from the surgery. I answered that that couldn't be right as both my cardiologist and my GYN are advocates and are supporting my decision whole heartedly. They wouldn't have recommended it if it wasn't safe. I guess I will just have to be the example for him. If my cardiologist, who first recommended it, feels that it is safe despite my having Aterial Defibulation then I'm not going to worry about it. Besides it's in God's hands. Deb

Just hang in there, Sandra. Just think how beautiful you are going to look and how healthy you will feel. I keep telling myself this and I haven't even been to my first seminar yet.

It looks like next Wednesday will be my first seminar and I am getting kind of excited about it. I have decided that if the insurance won't cover it then I will some how do it myself. GinaCher, sorry I didn't get back to answer you sooner but I haven't been home much the last few days. Glad your seminar wentl well and good luck on the rest! Deb