Hi from Country N.S.W.

I just joined this forum and need some re-assurance please.

I have just been diagnosed as a diabetic, I am 50 years old and was wondering if there were other members my age who have been lap banded. My weight is 127kilos and I also have problems with swelling of my ankles, which makes it very difficult to walk or excercise.

My GP has suggested a Lap Band, but I am very scared of having the op done. I would appreciate any advice from other members. I would need to travel for 2 hours each way to have this op done, as there are no doctors in my country town that do this op.

I have been told that I may need to pay up to $6,000.00 extra even though I have top health cover.

Thank you for reading my post. :help:

Hi and welcome,

I'm close to your age. I'm 43 and was banded last year at 42. I've lost 80 pounds this first year and although it's slowed down I'm still losing. I think you'll do great. This is the greatest place in the world for support and help. Congrats.

Hugs,

Sherri Jo

I know of a couple of people over fifty who have been banded (both relatives) and they have no issues. Of course their goals are not as far reaching as younger people for different reasons, but they are both happy and healthy now.

Good luck with your decision. Don't let distance be a problem, I had to travel 1600km to have mine done. Its the best 1600km of my life!

I don't imagine that age would be an issue. Like Jode said, goal weights of younger people tend to be lower, but apart from that, I would think that the ride would be exactly the same, no matter how old you are.

Good luck!

Sonota---Hello, I'm Clara. I will be 59 this Ocotober. I will be banded on August 27th. I am meeting more and more people our age on this site. Most of them are younger, but if they had lapband when I was 35, perhaps I would not have gotten in my present shape. I am diabetic and have bad knees(lefe replaced) and bad hip(right replaced). I am also a self-pay. Insurance is not being agreeable with me. Perhaps they will come through, but I did have to pay me surgeon. He will not wait. Good to have you aboard. This is a great place for information and support. Let us know if you need anything.

Thank you Clara for answering my post. A member from this group sent me the information to also join another bandsters group that is only a couple hours drive from me. I live in New South Wales, Australia.

The support from this group has been wonderful. Thank you once again for your support.

Hugs, Amanda xx

Morning Sonata,

I live further north than you in a place called Crescent Head? on the North Coast of NSW, do you, or any other member know where the closest hospital or specialist is that does lapbanding near my country town please?

Beth xox

Hi there,

I,m one of many, i,m 46 and the band is the better than i could ever have dreamed.

I have private , Australian Unity and i was out of pocket less than $2000 over the last year since the op.

Thank you for your information and support, it has given me more confidence about lapbanding.

Hi there 'oldspark' but you are a youngspark at 46 aha!!

Your support is appreciated by this 'oldspark'