Hi,

I'm a 62 yr old female 5'3" & weigh 218 lbs and climbing! I had a double by-pass 3 yrs ago & I'm a diabetic. I think I'm finally able to consider the lap band. I'm scared to death :scared2:but I'm more scared of not doing it! I understand that my insurance may cover the cost. I hope so cause that's the only way I can afford it. I will be going to a seminar this Friday for information. This is the 3rd time I've made an appt for the seminar but this time I'm not chickening out! Any questions I should ask?

Thanks

Ada

I am still in the process of trying to get insurance to pay. you have to have some patience. I have been to 2 seminars and a lap band class all worth the time. I have had my psych consult and now I am going to a nutritionist consult and to get a cardiac clearance. For the cardiac clearance I have to have a stress test and that scares me. My mom had heart surgery at 57 and I am 51. Anyway back to you. Go to the seminar and read this forum a lot and you will learn much. Good luck to you in your journey.

Ask any and everything you can think of! I suggest you take the time to write down all of your questions so that your mind won't go blank when the class is in session. I wish you well.

Congrats on going to a seminar and starting the journey. Seminars are really helpful!!

Oh my Chris! Did I read correctly? You had the proceedure just a week ago???? Please share how it went cause I'm the biggest chicken ever! How is the recovery? Oh pray tell...I want to know everything. LOL

Ada

Hi Ada!

Well, I actually started the process for insurance approval and pre-diet about three and a half years ago and chickened out as well! So we have that in common. I thought, "Oh, I'm young. I'll just lose the weight the old fashioned way." Yeah right! In that 3 1/2 years, I just put on more weight.

I started the process again last October as my insurance required a six month doctor followed diet and I didn't change my mind.

I am a registered nurse and many of my collegues had either the bypass or the band so I know a lot about each procedure. To decide on my surgeon was a no brainer as he is the number 1 surgeon in Memphis and I've known him (professionally) for many years.

My highest weight was 291. Day of surgery weight was 277 and I haven't weighed since then. I don't like to weigh myself as I don't want to get discouraged, but I see it in my clothes and face already.

My doctor did not require a long liquid diet before surgery but did ask me to lose 5lbs. I had to be on a clear liquid diet the day before surgery. My immediate post op experience was pretty good. I got up immediately and started walking in the halls of the hospital and was released within 3 hours of leaving the recovery area.

The morning after was a different story. I consider myself to have a very high pain tolerance but girl, I was in PAIN! And the gas pain that comes with it is something else! I couldn't understand it but you have to know that everyone's pain is subjective and many people have had little to no pain. I wish that were the case with me. This was no peice of cake. I had a breast reduction about 3 years ago and didn't have to take any pain medications but I emptied the bottle with this one! I just stayed mobile, fighting through the pain so not to get too stiff.

Remarkably, day 5 was wonderful. I awoke to virtually no pain. I had started taking gas x strips on day 3 due to someone on this site suggesting it and it really helped.

I haven't been that hungry at all but had to take some mental evaluations as I have be "wanting" certain no-no foods. This has nothing to do with hunger but why I've been overweight-poor eating habits and little self control. Therefore, I'm learning to eat to live and not live to eat. It's a slow process but I'm going to make it. I have enjoyed watching this show on BBC "You are what you eat". It's very interesting and has enlightened me on some of my horrible food choices in the past.

I feel great but don't go back to work for another week. Anything more you'd like to know, just ask!

Hi Cris,

Thanks so much for responding so quickly. This site is such a help that I'm thinking this time I won't chicken out! I've truly reached the end of my rope. You name the diet and I've tried it. I had a dble bypass 3 yrs ago and started a heart diet( I'm now 15 lbs heavier-go figure!). The last thing I tried was Alli and that didn't work. I decided on the band about a month ago when I had to walk up the stairs at work and could barely make it. My knees were burning and my lungs were exploding. I just sat there and cried my eyes out. I went to my nephrologist (I also am an insulin dependant diabetic) and told him how desperate I've become and he was very sympathetic and told me that the band was a good choice for someone like me.

62 yrs old/ 218 lbs/ 5"3"/ dibetic/ heart bypass

he said my BMI was 38.5 but with the other medical problems I was a good candidate so here goes!

I live in Florida and I'm going to a seminar on June 6th with Dr Fusco.

Wish me luck

Ada

Yes, it sounds like you're on the right track so I definitely wish you well as you take the first steps to reclaim you life! Take care!

Hi Ada, after what you have been through this will be a piece of cake. You are only in the operating room about 60 min and one night over in the hospital. The incisions are tiny and heal up pretty quickly. It is really important to get up and get moving as soon as possible to prevent complications such as blood clots and pneumonia. They gave me heparin injections to prevent clots and sequentials ( leg booties that massage your legs). They also give you anitbiotics IV to prevent infection. I was back to work in one week and doing well. Everyone is different. I am 58 years old so I'm not a youngster. I am feeling so great and in control of my eating portions for the first time in 50 years. I feel like exercising again which is a major change for me. I just don't see any negatives about this proceedure. You will get a lot of support and advise on this website. Do your research and find your comfort zone. I would recomend this to anyone who has health problems due to obesity. Best Wishes to you on your journey. Becky