I am just getting started in the process of considering Lap-Band surgery. At nearly 400# I know I have to do something and my options are running out.

Here are a few of the issues I also have to consider.

1. My mother died of complications from one of the early Bypass surgeries in the early 70's.

2. I'v had 6 back surgeries and live in chronic pain due to failed back surgeries.

3. IGA Nephrology limits Protein intake due to its stress on kidney function.

4. Overall health is starting to fail gradually.

5. At 50 years old I am not young any more.

Anyway, I am glad to be here and will be deciding soon what to do.

Hi P,

Welcome to the forum. It does seem like you have a lot to consider when taking this step. I hope that you find the support and answers to any questions on this site.

It has been a wonderful experience for me. I enjoy everyone who visits this site and I love hearing about their progress... sometimes it is good and sometimes bad... but it seems that everyone is so supportive, this is the place I know I can turn to when I am feeling down.

I wish you the best and hope that everything goes well for you. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Take Care,

P-38 like the can opener?

Just wondering,

Sue

Oh, yeah...welcome!

I too hope that this site provides you the info you need to learn more about the lapband pro wise and con wise. Of course everyone experiences things differently with the band. I sympathize with you on your mother's loss due to weightloss surgery, and know that must really way heavily on your mind when deciding what to do. For myself, I have not had any health complications from the surgery, in fact it has cured many problems that I had with sleep apnea, female problems, IBS, and just overall well being. Sure, it's depressing when some foods won't go down, and my port area is still sensitive after 7 months but, for me it was the only thing to do. I was 282 and headed for an early grave. It is important that if you do find a doctor to perform lapband surgery to talk to him/her about your past surgeries, health concerns, what happened to your mom and to attend support groups with people who used that doctor for the surgery, long beforehand If he/she is not open enough for you find someone who will be

Thanks for the welcome everuone. I also belong to a forum similar to this for spinal disorders. They can be enormously helpful.

Sue, close. In fact I'm impressed. I haven't thought of thoise can openers for years. This P-38 was a fighter plane introduced in WWII and carried over into Korea. So, the military affiliation is there for both items.

Hope everyone is having aq great day.

Hi "P",

I'm just starting this process as well and can tell you that many of my fears have been eased by talking with those that have been banded. I still struggle with the choice of banding or the RNY but am just so much more comfortable not rerouting my GI tract. My sister had the RNY and is doing wonderfully and without any complications but I still find I am more comfortable with the Lap Band option.

I think this is a wonderful thing for you to do for yourself... we only get one life and we all deserve to have as many of the years at the highest quality possible. Wishing you the best...

Darcy

P,

I was 55 when I had my LapBand surgery. My surgeon had already placed a band in a 70-year-old, so he had no problems with my age.

Sue