Hi to all and thank you for taking the time to read this. I just found this site and have read a lot of the threads...liked what I saw, so I enrolled. I would like to share a little of my journey... I have been thinking of the lap band for a couple of years, but I knew my insurance wouldn't pay for it unless I went to a Center of Excellence, which was over 400 miles away and I didn't feel comfortable traveling that far, and or going to a physician I didn't know. I wanted to stay in my own environment and have the Dr. that I was very familiar with do the surgery. With that said, I really don't think I was as ready as I thought I was, two years ago......and was making excuses. Well, I reconsidered and looked into the lap band again in July. I was sent papers and completed them and went to the Dr. visit at the other side of the state. He said it was a go, and I started the preliminaries for the lap band. My insurance required me to go through a four month nutrition course here, so I did that, and about 3 months into the nutrition course, my insurance said they would pay for the surgery here in my home town. Yahoo!!!! I am so happy!!!!

I started on the pre-op diet two days ago, Tuesday, November 26. The Opti-Fast hasn't been too bad, I have two more today and then done with the 2nd day. I enjoyed fixing Thanksgiving today but I have to admit, it did take some restraint not to eat. I have a choice of a shake, chicken or tomato Soup, and a chocolate bar. I wouldn't want to be on the preop diet for long.....but I think I can handle 10 days. My surgery is December 6th, and I am very, very excited!!

I am an "older" banner. But doctor said that it still doesn't make a difference...it is a minimal risk surgery, and doesn't take as long to recoup. I am 67 years old with bad hips, back, RA, fibromyalgia and had a stroke. So this is a necessity. I have around 45-50 pounds to lose, which I know isn't as much as it could be, but for me and my health problems, it is a matter of quality of life, and not so much less pain every day. I must say, I am quite nervous but I really believe this is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Wish me luck.... a week till surgery...yikes!!!

I didn't mean to go on and on so will close. Thanks you for reading this, and I wish only the best to all who has started this journey, or who has completed it and are so happy with the joys that your new life has brought you.

,

EVH

Welcome!

Hi there and welcome! Thanks for your great intro post. I am 52, banded 11/05. Very happy with this decision. It's not just the weight loss but also the mental/emotional improvement. I feel greet, am exercising and just so happy. Good luck to you -- glad you're here on the forum.

Thank you for your welcomes. This site is a little overwhelming....I think I already messed up. I think I should have put my journey message on about me or something. Oh well, thanks so much for the replies. I like this site already.

EVH

Welcome. I'm 55 and was banded in January. Like you, I also did this for health reasons way more than vanity. Was very successful in losing enough weight to move forward with my much needed hip replacement surgery. I went from incredibly crippling pain to just dealing now with post op pain as surgery was seven weeks ago. I can see my mobility coming back which is like a miracle to me and the lap band helped to make that possible. Good luck and keep us posted and let us know how you are doing once you 'make it to the other side'.

Welcome!

I host 3 coffee groups a month for "bandsters".

We have people in there 60's and 70's that have been banded and have all have had GREAT success.

Listen to you doctor and take it one day at a time... don't compare yourself to other bandsters because everyones journey is different.

This is a great site for information. Feel free to ask any questions.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

EM: tomander@bell.net

i am 56 and was banded may 29, 2013. i have lost 40 lbs but do go on dec. 2nd for weigh in. hoping i lost a few more. i did the band because i just wasn't successful with diets. i tried for over 2 years with nutri system, weight watchers, south beach diet, counting calories, and no carb diets. my blood sugar remained in the high 200's to 350's. so this surgery was a life saving one. i am glad that i had it and have no regrets. this web site is the best. the ppl on here are so very helpful and will help get you through your first couple of months. so good luck

Hi evh,

I'm 58, and was banded with plication in March. I'm eight months out, and I've dropped 57 pounds. I'm still so happy with my decision to do this, and haven't looked back. It's certainly not easy, but the band is the best tool I've ever had to control my portion size and hunger. I'm off blood pressure medication, my knees no longer hurt, and my other lab issues have normalized. I have a few more pounds to go, to get to the (reasonable) goal I set for myself, and I feel very positive that I will get there.

I'm glad you registered on this site. There are many wonderful people here, and you will get a lot of support. Ask anything that comes up, and feel free to private message me…..if you want

Hi to all and thank you for taking the time to read this. I just found this site and have read a lot of the threads...liked what I saw, so I enrolled. I would like to share a little of my journey... I have been thinking of the lap band for a couple of years, but I knew my insurance wouldn't pay for it unless I went to a Center of Excellence, which was over 400 miles away and I didn't feel comfortable traveling that far, and or going to a physician I didn't know. I wanted to stay in my own environment and have the Dr. that I was very familiar with do the surgery. With that said, I really don't think I was as ready as I thought I was, two years ago......and was making excuses. Well, I reconsidered and looked into the lap band again in July. I was sent papers and completed them and went to the Dr. visit at the other side of the state. He said it was a go, and I started the preliminaries for the lap band. My insurance required me to go through a four month nutrition course here, so I did that, and about 3 months into the nutrition course, my insurance said they would pay for the surgery here in my home town. Yahoo!!!! I am so happy!!!!

I started on the pre-op diet two days ago, Tuesday, November 26. The Opti-Fast hasn't been too bad, I have two more today and then done with the 2nd day. I enjoyed fixing Thanksgiving today but I have to admit, it did take some restraint not to eat. I have a choice of a shake, chicken or tomato soup, and a chocolate bar. I wouldn't want to be on the preop diet for long.....but I think I can handle 10 days. My surgery is December 6th, and I am very, very excited!!

I am an "older" banner. But doctor said that it still doesn't make a difference...it is a minimal risk surgery, and doesn't take as long to recoup. I am 67 years old with bad hips, back, RA, fibromyalgia and had a stroke. So this is a necessity. I have around 45-50 pounds to lose, which I know isn't as much as it could be, but for me and my health problems, it is a matter of quality of life, and not so much less pain every day. I must say, I am quite nervous but I really believe this is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Wish me luck.... a week till surgery...yikes!!!

I didn't mean to go on and on so will close. Thanks you for reading this, and I wish only the best to all who has started this journey, or who has completed it and are so happy with the joys that your new life has brought you.

,

EVH

Welcome I am 52 will be 53 in ten days. I am hoping to be banded in January. I also have medical issues. I have been the chubby kid since 4th grade. So believe me I understand weight issues. I know you do great

Thanks everyone for the replies. I so appreciate it.... I am going in Friday for surgery, so that means I can quit drinking Optifast Thursday night. OMG....not good stuff at all, but am drinking it, as it is a small thing compared to what this banding is going to do for me.

Take care all, and I will be chatting again after surgery.

,

EVH

Hi again to all,

Well, at 5:30 AM Friday MT time....I will having lap band surgery. It is really here, wow. I am so excited, and if I can figure out to get around on this site, LOL, I will post within the next few days. Wish me luck...I know this is such the right decision. Good nite everyone, I have an early morning

Wishing you much success on your journey to a new life! Take it one day at a time....you're gonna do great!

Hi again to all,

Well, at 5:30 AM Friday MT time....I will having lap band surgery. It is really here, wow. I am so excited, and if I can figure out to get around on this site, LOL, I will post within the next few days. Wish me luck...I know this is such the right decision. Good nite everyone, I have an early morning

Good luck on you surgery, tried to rest all you can and start walking when you feel ready at least 4 times at day 10 minutes at time , just take it easy for a speed recovery do not overdo it and follow your doctor instructions,

Today is the day. Wishing you a successful surgery and a blessed recovery.