2Anne

Because I am 68 it could be the case that I will be refused the surgery as one surgeon has already said he will not do the sleeve or bypass on me due to this. I am seeing a surgeon on 27th April so hope he will give me the go ahead. If not as a diabetic I can try Forxiga which aids weight loss or there is Byetta or Eraglatide which are anorectics. These drugs are only used in type 2 diabetes. I know the surgery is risky but so is being very obese as my BMI is 38 and rising. My gastric band was in for 15 years and a lot changed in Bariatric surgery during this time. If there had been a revision say 7 years ago there would be no problem re my age so my advice is if you are fit and well and have a BMI over 37 and a chronic weight gain problem WLS is the way forward.

I saw a TV prog today about obese teenagers. There was a doc who said they had done a huge study on obese people in the US over 10 years. Literally thousands of people. The conclusion was that only people who had surgery lost weight. The main reason given for this was that overweight people ruin their metabolism. Apparantly when you get to a large size the metabolism is permanently damaged and even if you do starve yourself on a diet/weightwatchers as soon as you go off a restrictive programme the weight returns. Hence the yo yo dieters. On this basis I would say that for most people WW is a waste of time(except for emotional eaters who may not benefit from WLS). The restrictive qualities of WLS permanently reduce intake and also should offer a feeling of saiety after eating. This is the case with the gastric sleeve and bypasses. I've had the gastric band for 15 years and although I lost 56 lbs max I was still overweight and always hungry. I simply do not recommend it. From what I've now read my loss was average and few people lose all their excess weight. Currently I am investigating the gastric sleeve as since my GB was removed six months ago I have gained 10 lbs and this is with constant weight watching and low calorie intake. I'm phoning tomorrow to make an appt. at a hospital recommended by my daughter who is a doc. Its the private wing of a NHS hospital with ITU and the surgeon on tap. A lot of places that offer this surgery do not have these facilities and the surgeon flies in/operates/flies out. If you have problems he is not there for you. I think we can make up our own minds about WLS and as well as being unsympathetic some GP's are negative and their only offering to help is Xenical. Go for it and have the WLS.

I'm looking at the chemical fix now as my daughter the doc has said the bypass and sleeve are too risky for me. Forxiga is an oral frug that makes you pee out sugar. As a diabetic I can also have Byetta,Eraglotide and Bydurian. All injectable anoretics. Cowgirl I agree that band patients should be warned about the damage it does over time. The terrible acidosis I had has gone since its removal but my surgeon said I was a mess re this when he operated. I'm seeing my doc soon and hope to try Forxiga.

I had my gastric band removed after 15 years last October and am gaining weight. Because of my age 68, my surgeon will only do the Endoscopic Gastric sleeve on me. This involves suturing the stomach and not cutting it. It seems to be a new procedure. Has anyone here had it done and how are things going? It's going to cost mr £10K which I don't mind if it works. This is in the UK. Look forward to any replies or advices.

After seeing advices on here I have contacted a different bariatric service who say they will do the gastric sleeve or bypass on me. My daughter who is a doctor is being negative and says I should follow the previous advices. I just don't know what to do for the best. My husband is anti surgery too but neither he or daughter have a weight problem. Anyway I realise from the very helpful posts here that the Endoscopic sleeve will not work.

Thanks Cowgirl. I'm sure you are right but the surgeon said if I had complication ie infection or leaking after surgery I would die! I did have complications with the gastric band and was in hospital for a week and as it had blocked up this cost me a further 6K. With more surgery.Total cost in 2001 was £13K!! It was a vile experience and is making me nervous.

Thank all of you guys for all the well informed information. I really do appreciate it all and the points made by Kindle reflect my own reservations. My surgeon who is a top bariatric guy will only do this as his anaesthetist vetoes anything else. Mountain girl please tell me more about the age thing! I'm really pleased with the help you have all given.

This could be a slipped band and you need a scan urgently. Gas should not cause this level of pain. Go back to your doc at once and demand investigation. Good luck and best wishes. A.

Was this procedure done under a local or general anaesthetic? I have been offered an Endoscopic sleeve which sounds similar as about 85% of the stomach is stitched up. This leaves a small sleeve stomach. It's done under full anaesthetic. My surgeon won't to any procedure on me that requires excision so the gastric sleeve and bypass are out. The cost of the procedure is the same as the bypass which I'm surprised about. I am self funding and the U.K. Cost is approx $15000 which is cheaper than the US but will leave a hole in my pocket. I'm 68. Thanks for any info.

I had my lapband done in 2001 and its been very poor value for the £13 K it cost me. I paid extra as was in hospital for a week as I blocked up completely post-op. I am really fighting to keep my weight down. I do not find the lap band helps much and if I eat more than about 1300 C per day clap on weight. I still get sick if I eat big lumps but of course anything like cakes,sweets,crisps or biscuits go down with no trouble. I regret having a lapband and wish I had a gastric bypass. I am nearly 65 and too old to go for further surgery. I shall end up a fat,disabled by weight geriatric and probably have a stroke or coronary. I do not recomment the lap band except for compulsive eaters. It you have been dieting or trying to control your weight the lap band probably will not work for you.