Anndallei

Thank you all for replying, I will share these with my friends. They were really excited when I told them people had replied. They need as much encouragement as they can get. It's a pretty scary step for them! pam

I have two women friends in their mid 60's who are wanting to have lap-band surgery. One has about 75 pounds to lose, the other 150 pounds. If I could show them some before and after pictures of people who are close to their age and have managed to lose a fair amount of weight, I know it will give them a huge boost of confidence! :help: How about it....any over 60 losers (before and after pictures) you're willing to share? Pleeeeease :pray: Thanks much! Pam

I have been the executive director of a domestic violence and sexual assault non-profit agency for 16 years...hence DVSABoss.

I had my surgery last September at my doctor's surgery center at 7:30 am and was on my way home by 10:30 am on the same day. I had no probles what-so-ever (and I was one month shy of turning 57 years old!) Additionally, I have had sleep apnea and have used a C-pap for many, many years but experienced no problems during or after the surgery. I went back to work full-time 5 days after surgery and did great. For me, the whole process was a breeze!

I am 57 years young and have lost close to 60 pounds now. I was banded 8 months ago on 9-13-05 at age 56 and went back to work fulltime four days later! I was truly amazed at how fast the recovery was for me!! I'm a non-profit director and do mostly management and computer work but also have to do trainings and attend meetings out in the community. I've had no problems other then a little fatigue after a long day (I generally work 10-15 hours a day.) One of my incisions was just above my bra line between my breasts. It has not bothered me a bit. I'm a double D cup so there's plenty hanging around that could have been a bother!!! I was up and walking an hour after I woke up from recovery...was a little unsteady on my feet but got better pretty quickly. My DH and I had to drive an hour to get home...I still felt awfully groggy so just wanted to get there and sleep it off. Once home I slept three hours and finally woke up with a pretty clear head. That in itself made me feel a whole lot better! I feel I've had a very easy time adjusting to the band. Getting the fill level one needs is critical and so very individual. Some need none others need several (I had my 7th fill today!) It's getting close to where I feel it needs to be. Sometimes my weight loss seems soooo slow (I average about 1.5 pounds a week) BUT, I now weigh less than I have in 25+ years! So, I just can't complain...slow but steady. I honestly think being older affords me the patience that will enable me to successfully reach my goal weight. I will get there...and so will you!

I've lost close to 60 pounds and visually don't see much of a difference in these pics. However, mentally, I realize I'm able to wear smaller sizes and can get around a lot better so know I am making slow but sure progress!

I had my surgery 9-13-06 and am down 55 pounds. I've recently been able to start exercising so hope to start losing a little faster. I live in Sedro Woolley, WA. I love my band! pam

The question of how many onunces we eat at mealtime comes up quite frequently. Like many others, I guess-ti-mate. Since there's a strong possibility that I'm guess-ti-mating wrong, I decided to find nesting measuring bowls (affordable) that I can use to measure the amount I'm eating each meal. I looked at the few options available that would suit my needs. One was very expensive the other perfect! I got a stainless steel mini 4 piece measuring bowl set from Amazon.com. ($13.99). The bowls sizes are 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup and 1/4 cup. This is just FYI for anyone else who might be looking for something similiar.

I tried bread twice and each time it darn near killed me! I won't try it in any way shape or form anymore. I used to love any kind of fast food hamburger but since I have such trouble with bread, the idea of eating a hamburger turns me off (even without the bun.) I've had 5 fills, each one restricting a little more. If I eat too fast or the wrong thing I get terrible chest pain and sometimes pb (I'm getting much better at not getting to that point though.) For me, the pain and pb-ing is a huge deterrent. I'm actually glad I have it there to remind me to slow down and not eat the wrong things. I mostly stick with meat, veges, Beans and salad. I might have a small piece of chocolate, a little ice cream or a few chips once in a great while so I won't feel deprived. But, for the most part, I don't really care if I have that stuff anymore. I seldon eat fast food, if I do, it's 2-3 small hard shell tacos or chili from Wendy's. I'm consistently losing, although a bit slower now, but still shedding 1 to 2 pounds a week.

Sometime I can eat 2+ cups at a sitting. Other times I can barely get a few bites down. I can still eat a very large salad...no problems. I've had 5 fills, each one restricting a little more. If I eat too fast or the wrong thing I get terrible chest pain and sometimes pb (I'm getting much better at not getting to that point though.) For me, the pain and pb-ing is a huge deterrent. I'm actually glad I have it there to remind me to slow down and not eat the wrong things. I tried bread twice and each time it darn near killed me! I won't try it in any way shape or form anymore. I mostly stick with meat, veges, beans and salad. I might have a small piece of chocolate, a little ice cream or a few chips once in a great while so I won't feel deprived. But, for the most part, I don't really care if I have that stuff anymore. I seldon eat fast food, if I do, it's 2-3 small hard shell tacos or chili from Wendy's. I used to love any kind of fast food hamburger but since I have such trouble with bread, the idea of eating a hamburger turns me off (even without the bun.) I'm consistently losing, although a bit slower now, but still shedding 1 to 2 pounds a week. If I'd get out and exercise, it would be more. At least I'm thinking about it! :confused:

Way to go everybody! We're on a roll! I'm down 54 pounds since 9-6-05. Whoo hoo!!!

My start weight was about as close to 340 as you can get and at 5 foot 1 inch, my BMI was 64. I had lap band surgery on 9-13-05 and, as of today, weigh 289 pounds! Lowest I've weighed in 24 years!

You might check with "Jack" from Oregon (quote below). I'm sure he must have done some researching of area doctors before choosing his doctor in Portland. Use search, put in oregon or jack, and his posts will come up. "I'm in East Linn County......and I used Dr. Hong in Portland....great surgeon, everything has gone well for me..... The Band has certainly improved MY life....."

MyKydsDad...:wow2: Never been to a concert...hmmm, ya gotta' try it just once! My husband and I also have another circuit "activity" we do...every year we go the the National's Drag Races to see John Force run his funny car. The sound and vibration of the cars drag racing pretty much knocks your socks off!!! Do ya' think we're possibly going to be deaf by 60? I would say probably yah! But boy do we have fun!!!

Some of my favorites that I've see live in concert: Heart, ZZ Top, Santana, Rolling Stones, Melissa Etheridge, Tina Turner, Bob Seger, Susan Tedeschi, Johnny Winter, Smokey Robinson, Chubby Checker, Robert Mirabal, Indigenous, Temptations, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Jan and Dean, Beach Boys, BB King, the Steve Miller Band, Ventures, Joe Cocker, The Animals, Tower of Power, Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Elvin Bishop, Eric Burdon, Bonnie Raitt, War, Los Lonely Boys, Swamp Mama Johnson, Jude Bowerman... Some of my general faves other than above: Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Matchbox 20, Aerosmith, Queen, AC DC, The Donna's, Redbone, Xit, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Big and Rich, Bee Gees, Beatles... I like all kinds of music..a little bit of everything I guess...but I'm a true rock-a-holic!!

Cool! Thank you for all the web site resources all!!!

I've been taking 100 mg of Zoloft for about eight years. My symptoms were exactly the same as yours. Anxiety and depression run in my family. My doc said I may well be on it for the rest of my life. It has made one heck of a difference! My anxiety attacks were way worse then my depression but I have not had one anxiety attack since I started taking the Zoloft. As for my sex drive....still great as ever...no adverse impact at all! ! Guess it's not the norm, but what the heck, I've never been "normal" anyway!!!! Also, after the first day of taking the Zoloft, I could definitely tell I was feeling a whole lot better...it made a difference right away for me. Just luck I guess.

I got a LapBand System "combo" pedometer with radio and earphones.

Wow! That's wonderful cissy!!! Congratulations and way to go...your pictures look great!

Hi September bandsters!!! I had my fourth fill last Thursday and I finally feel like I'm getting to where I need to be. I'm way less hungry and cannot eat near as much as I used to. I'm being very careful and eating my protein and veggies very slowly. It hurts way too dang much not to!!! I've dropped a couple of sizes which is nice and my huge tummy is going down...but I still don't see much change when I look in the mirror. But, it's early yet...by summer I should see some dramatic changes...I would think! We'll just keep plugging along...I'm doing better then I've ever done in my life losing weight so I'm not complaining that's for sure! Keep up the good work all!! We'll get there!!!!

I've was diagnosed with sleep apnea nine years ago and have been using a C-pap since. I'm on continous flow at 13. I've used about every type of mask imaginable (full face, partial, nose pillows, etc.) but my current favorite is the Comfort Curve Nasal Interface...way less cumbersome and obstrusive...I can actually read with it on...not that I do, but I could! Having the C-pap has indeed made me way less tired. I am very religious about using it...even for a short nap. When we travel, it goes along. I'm so used to it, I just would not be able to sleep right without it! I don't feel my sleep apnea has ever affected my eating. It may be true for others, not me. I'm hoping by losing weight, I'll be able to quit using a C-pap at some point. You should see a real change in your ability to sleep well....you will notice a difference in how you feel. Good luck with your new system! pam

Close to $18,000 for everything (outpatient - didn't require hospital stay). Includes care for first 13 months then fills $150 each after that.

Is being able to drink (gulp) 6-8 onces of Water in a few seconds a gauge for determining if another fill is needed? After three fills, I have some restriction, but can eat most anything slowly except bread which has never worked for me since banding. My last fill was on 12-14-05 for a total of 2.25 in a 4cc band. I have not lost any weight since then. A week ago I pb'd quite a bit. This week no problems. I'm craving no, no's like ice cream, candy, chips...and unfortunately, I can eat all those goodies way too easy! 1.) I'm many years post menopause so that's not a craving issue, and 2.) I'm not giving in to eating the aforementioned no, no's on a regular basis...just a couple of times since banding 4 months ago. OK, so long story short: I've lost 45 pounds and I'm not complaining about that. I also know that not losing weight in over two weeks, eating too much and being hungry are all signs that one may need a fill. What I'd like to know though - would it be correct for me to conclude that on its own, my ability to gulp down that much water easily, means it's time for a fill? What duhya think? :think

I believe that would be Ann Wilson from Heart, a well known Seattle band.

Hi September bandsters! Just a quick update before I run to work! My current status is, status quo! I'm still at 298 (40 pounds lost since Sept. 6th) and haven't moved off that for close to two weeks...even after having my second fill. I go tomorrow for my third fill and hopefully it'll give me just the right amount of restriction. I have to admit, there are less foods that I can tolerate now...any kind of bread, cake, muffin, etc. for one, which I'm actually happy about because I really don't need any of those!