Average age of a Bandster?

[Jodi_620 37]

I'm 33 and going get banded on Nov. 17..still i have question about the whole thing. How many years is it good for? How do I know its right for me?

The Lap Band is intended to last for life. Sometimes there are problems with port malfunctions, leaks and erosions that may make repair, replacement or removal necessary but for the most part it is for life.

As far as whether it is right for you, only you can figure that one out. Learn as much as you can, understand that it is just a tool and you will need to do your part to make it work then decide if it is right for you.

[tracylee 0]

I'm 39 and am scheduled to be banded on Dec. 10th. I can hardly wait for the rest of my life and I've been waiting for insurance to approve lab band for 5 years. they would only approve the bypass and I wasn't going to go that drastic. I'm so glad I got my approval yesterday!

[SBNYC 0]

I'm 46 and was banded 4/08. Throughout my teens and 20's I was always slim with a tendancy gain if I wasn't very careful with what I ate. I started to steadily gain (and diet to lose) in my mid 30's and after having my child at 34 it was a real up and down. What finally sent me spiraling was a bum thyroid and a sedintary lifestyle. I wanted to get banded 4 years ago but I wasn't big enough and didn't have enough co-morbidities. Finally at 46 with three co-morbidities (high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar plus thyroid malfunction) and a BMI of 36 I was approved. I've never looked back. I'm 30 lbs down and 65 more to go. It's a the best tool ever invented.

[BELLA JOY 0]

Banded June 19 at age 50, best thing I ever done for myself.

[*slim* 2]

I only wish that I had gotten banded before I got to this point.

[travelinsnorkel 0]

I'm 33 and would have like to have done this years ago, but I honestly don't think I was mentally prepared.

[Carrie_C 9]

I don't think I was mentally perpared either. I think if I would have had it done in my early 20s, I wouldn't have been successful.

[lindaloulynn 0]

Well, I am 47 will be banded 11-20 one month from my 48th Birthday. I ask my Surgeon if I was too old. He said if I don't get my weight under control NOW, I will have major health problems in 10 years. That was true motivation for me.

[JohnC 31]

I was banded at age 57.

[cheryl1952 0]

How true that is tapshoes. I am in my fifties and I have been on every diet possible and failed every diet for the last 20 years. I am having a hard time feeling restricted but am still losing. I have 1.5 cc and I don't really get hungry I just eat too much when I do eat. At least I feel that way although I have lost almost 24 lbs. I had surgery on October 8, 2008. I am very happy with my band I just need to work on my head.

Cheryl

[Losing 2 0]

I am now 46... I wanted it years ago!

[cattoy71 0]

38. if i could have gotten the band placed to PREVENT the weight gain in the first place - i would have.

I wholeheartedly agree with you Luluc!

I only began to put on weight in 1996, and managed to pack on about 100 pounds when I decided the lapband was for me.

I am self pay, and would have gladly found a way to have financed it 10 years ago!

[Sistergrl25 1]

Banded at 25 and would have done it sooner if I could have!

[CherieLynne 0]

I was 57. I needed the band because after I hit menopause I kept gaining and gaining. I weighed 195 lbs the morning I was banded. Ten months later I weighed 147 and looked oh so much better! And although I have always eaten healthily, I began to eat even better than I had before I was banded. The operation was easy to recover from and having the band has been an altogether positive experience for me. It is great to be able to wear nice clothes again.

I'll be 57 or 58 by the time I have it done, and my experience is just like yours...menopause kicked me into weight-gain overdrive. I'm thrilled to hear it was easy going for you. Do you mind if I ask where you had it done, and what your experience was before/during operation? Thanks so much in advance.

[green 6]

I'll be 57 or 58 by the time I have it done, and my experience is just like yours...menopause kicked me into weight-gain overdrive. I'm thrilled to hear it was easy going for you. Do you mind if I ask where you had it done, and what your experience was before/during operation? Thanks so much in advance.

I had it done in Toronto, Canada which is where I live. It cost me $16,000 Cdn and I have unlimited aftercare with this package. Sometimes one can need quite a few fills and defills over the years and these can be expensive (especially considering that these are quickly performed) depending on your fill doc. The centre where I had mine done has good support programmes available for those who would like or feel they need a bit of additional assistance. I like the fact that the centre is in my neighbourhood; I can walk there and home again. It is called the Toronto Lap Band Centre.