My name is Steve. I am 61 years old and was banded on 9/14/13. I have been reading posts now for two weeks and have hesitated to "tell my story", don't know why. I feel a little out of place - there are very few men posting and I am older than most. However, I started at 314 pounds over a month ago - the fattest I have ever been! I'm not heavy, I am fat. I have had heart problems, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I have been taking a lot of pills for a long time and am hoping this will help me get rid of most of them. I have sleep apnea as well and have hopes that I might be able to put away my bi-pap machine when I lose enough weight. I always used to be able to lose weight, but like most people I have never been able to maintain for longer than a year. After I graduated college way back in 1974, and stopped being as physically active as I was then, my weight has been a problem. I have tried almost every diet known to man. spent a ton of money, and finally gave up. My insurance just approved lap band so I decided to give it a try. After jumping through all their hoops I was finally able to start this process. I was at 282 the day of my surgery and am now down to 269, so something is working - although I am still on liquids; start week two today where I can add in some soups. (I have never looked more forward to a bowl of tomato soup in my life - even if it is made with water!) I do not feel hungry at all and am no longer in any pain - except when I turn over in bed too suddenly and stretch everything a little. At the risk of sounding a little gross, I have had a couple of bad bouts with diarrhea. I'm encouraged but still haven't gotten to even the mushy food stage yet so I have a wait and see attitude. My wife and I walk ever day - at least a mile. I have no recent pictures of myself because I have always been too embarrassed to have my picture taken but I said I was going to keep a photo log of this journey so I need my wife to take my picture today. I am committed to making this work, enthusiastic, but also a little scared because this is such a huge change in the way I eat. Only time will tell.

Welcome and congratulations!

You will fit right in here- no reason to be hesitant! We're all walks of life and age here. You'll find people in their teens all the up into their 80's. All are welcome

It sounds like you're off to a great start. Keep coming back and let us know how you are!

Best wishes.

As Missy said, welcome, welcome, welcome. Sounds like you are off to a great start and not to worry, there's quite a few men on this site who post regularly...and likely lots more who just lurk without posting at all.

like the rest said, HEY and

Welcome to our group Steve.. There are lots of very helpful people here.. You are not as old as me.. I'm 66 and had my lapband in January 2013... I have lost over 50# and I feel like a new woman.. I had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and generally felt terrible... at almost 200 lbs and 5' tall on a good day I had to do something or risk losing my mobility and/or my life... I am very happy I did it.. My Dr. took me off of all of my meds..

Well Steve even if we r here to help and support each other on this site and if you need to ask questions from other men don't be afraid to ask there is a site on here called mens room I think so you can go there also just post questions on here cause there is a few men on here that have posted even to just to post on how they r doing so let the healing, support and questions and likes begin,as bandsters we all had to start somewhere or we wouldn't be here so let your journey begin and good luck sounds like your off to a good start tho by making the choice you did.

Welcome and good luck on your journey. Looking forward to hearing how you are doing.

Welcome Steve. Even though you may feel in the minority here on the boards, one of the most inspirational posters on this board for me has been B-52. I believe he's 60ish and has been extremely successful with his weight loss! I'm not sure how to look up specific posters on here, but I'm sure you'll run across him eventually.