I AM (WAS BEFORE I GOT SO FAT!) A HORSE PERSON, WILL I BE ABLE TO RIDE MY HORSES WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE LAP BAND??

I'm a horseperson -- have ridden forever and only took like 3-4 weeks off after surgery to heal. I've had my band for 5 years now and it's never posed a problem in riding. Good Luck!!!

Thanks So Much I Am Going To The Seminar Tuesday And That Was My Main Concern, Sounds Silly But You Probably Understand

I completely understand. Us horsepeople are CRAZY and addicted to the activity LOL.

I Had A Knee Replcement Last Year And Put On Even More Weight Cant Get On The Horse Without A Step Pretty Bad When Others Are Around, I Hope It Doesn't Take Forever To Get Thsi Done, They Said About 4 Months From Start To Finish

well, fwiw, even the skinniest dressage queen should use a mounting block to mount because it's better for the horse's back and the saddle. I started my late BS Paint myself when I weighed 290lbs and I weigh 250 now (having band complications that will require band removal and hopefully a revision to RNY).

I ride 3-4 days a week on my 7yr old Thoroughbred and am learning Dressage now. I asked my dressage trainer whether my weight was hurting my mare and he said no basically because I know how to ride. I'm not a sack of potatoes that can't balance in the saddle. So, don't let your current weight stop you.

It took me a while to get my surgery but my initial weight loss was significant (40lbs in 3 months). You'll be fine!!!

I was banded April 9, 2008 and I got back in the saddle last week. So far everything is great. I thought for sure I would have some discomfort but I can do everything I was able to do before with no pains.

I always use a mounting block to save my horses back (even when I was skinny).

Thats Exactly How I Feel Now When I Ride A Big Sack Of Pototoes , With The Knee Still Not Good, I Feel Sorry For My Little Quarter Horse Mare, My Favorite To Ride. I Used To Do Team Penning And Competitve Trail Riding 3 Yrs Ago But The Knee Probs And Weight And Age Have Slowed Me Down To Just Trail Riding.

I Knw Getting This Weight Off Will Help Alot.

It Sounds Like There Is So Much Pre Op Stuff, Letters From Docs Physc Doc Is It Really That Involved?

Yes it is that involved, they want to be sure you're healthy enough for the surgery.

If you're an experienced rider and you're horse is sound and sane then trail riding at your present weight should pose no problems. Especially if it's one of your only modes of exercise. You're horse is fine, check out the pro reiners, ropers, and cutters- they're often huge men and their horses are little but they work together well. Get out there girl!!!

My doctor said the only thing I couldn't do was play rugby for a few weeks. That made me laugh! I wanted to say, "Do I look like I play a lot of rugby, doc?"