hi Everyone,

I an new here, have not been banded yet, but I am thinking about it. I will be attending a meeting in Hazleton, PA with Dr. Bono on March 9 and then set up my appointment after that. I was very positive and excited about it, however have some concerns. My first worry is my age, I am 53. I worry about recovery due to my age and complications. I really want this surgery, for longevity and to stop my back and hip from aching. I want to play with my grandchildren. My BMI is 45, the highest it has ever been. I have always been overweight, but this is the most. I am attributing this to menapause and I quit smoking this past July after a 30+ year habit.

Today, I have more reservations as I have been reading of people on this site who have failure. Slippage, erosion and blocked as well as other things, I am wondering if this is for me? Will I be sick all the time? Will all my time be spent throwing up, running to the Dr. and Er? I guess I should read further but just wanted some feedback. Thanks.:tongue2:

Just saw your post. I am truly anxious about my upcoming banding scheduled for Monday. I am 59 years old and feel great about my impending surgery. I have four friends between the 50-60 range who have had the surgey with much success. Each one will remark that they wish the surgery had been available years ago. I have no apprehension about getting the surgery because I know the lifestyle it will afford me in the future. I am real new to this website that was recommended to me by my nutritionist. But you cannot take everything you read so serious. Each person is different. And a person in there 20s or 30s with as much weight as we have are in just as serious condition. So although you might be 53 with the weight off you might feel 33. Best of Luck

hi Everyone,

I an new here, have not been banded yet, but I am thinking about it. I will be attending a meeting in Hazleton, PA with Dr. Bono on March 9 and then set up my appointment after that. I was very positive and excited about it, however have some concerns. My first worry is my age, I am 53. I worry about recovery due to my age and complications. I really want this surgery, for longevity and to stop my back and hip from aching. I want to play with my grandchildren. My BMI is 45, the highest it has ever been. I have always been overweight, but this is the most. I am attributing this to menapause and I quit smoking this past July after a 30+ year habit.

Today, I have more reservations as I have been reading of people on this site who have failure. Slippage, erosion and blocked as well as other things, I am wondering if this is for me? Will I be sick all the time? Will all my time be spent throwing up, running to the Dr. and Er? I guess I should read further but just wanted some feedback. Thanks.:tongue2:

My surgery was only 11 days ago, so I am not able to report much about it. It was the right decision for me. It is only a tool. You must be willing to follow strict dietary needs, and exercise to get the benefit from this tool. If you are not committed, then you might think twice. It is the least invasive of the different type of surgeries and can be reversed. I only had a significant amount of pain for 3 days where I had to take my pain medicine.

I have not taken any diabetic medicine since the surgery. That has been great.

Pink,

I think you need to balance difficulties of what you MIGHT experience with the lap band against what you MIGHT experience in your life if you DON'T get one, or some other form of WLS.

Yes there have been lap band failures....I am one of them.

But, if you have TRULY exhausted all other avenues of weight loss, then the lap band may be your answer. It isn't for everyone, but as you can see on this site, there have been some wonderful success stories. You might be the next one!

You said that you will be going to a meeting, and then setting up an appointment after that....I would encourage you to go to MULTIPLE meetings, with Multiple Surgeons. Don't take the first one that offers you the surgery. And make sure that you check the surgeon that you select CAREFULLY to make sure that he/she has been doing this a LONG time and has done HUNDREDS of these surgeries.

There are many reason why the Lap band fails for some people. Sometimes it's the incompetence/inexperience of the Doctor, sometimes it's the inability/reluctance of the Patient to follow the prescribed pre and post-op protocols, and sometimes the thing just doesn't work, for whatever reason.

It may be that another type of surgery is what you need, but you won't know that until you have explored all the options.

You didn't become obese overnight....it took you a lifetime. So, don't make a snap decision on having surgery. Take your time, choose the RIGHT type of surgery, the RIGHT surgeon, and be prepared to follow the instructions given by your provider.

Regardless of which direction you end up choosing, it's clear that you HAVE made a decision to change and improve your life. I congratulate you on that....that is a big first step.

Keep us all posted on your decisions and your progress!

HH

Hello, I have not been banded yet, but a few months ago when I started on this site I looked at some of the stories of people struggling and I started to get discouraged about doing this. :tongue2: Then I realized that everyone of them said that they'd do it again in a heart beat. I also did what someone said earlier and that was to weigh the option of being overweight--and all that goes with it (an endless list), or go with the surgery and hope to be a success. :tt2: I also realized that we all need to vent and get support when we are having problems with things but don't always talk about the good, therefore, more is written. But there is alot of good stuff on this site.:w00t: I had to stop looking at the negative stuff but not be ignorant that things happen.

Anyway, stop looking at the stuff and read the positive stuff.

Hope that gives you something to think about, good luck with your decision.

Spud Mama

I want to thank all of you who responded and gave their opinion, it always helps to hear from others. I will do much more research, but one thing I know. I have tried everything to loose weight my whole life, some of it was successful initially but then I ended up gaining back plus more. I am very unhappy with myself now, so I need to do something. My back and hip and knees hurt from the excess weight and I cannot play with my grandchildren.

I truly appreciate all the people who post here, it gives me great insight. I will be in contact with this board with my own story and also looking for info. Thanks.

And, please keep in mind that many successful people drift away from this site.. go on living and just don't need the support of this forum anymore, but sadly, aren't here to tell their success story, so you won't see all the wonderful stories there are to tell. I can think of five of my friends who haven't been here in at least 6 months or more because they've reached goal and just don't need this support system anymore.

Good luck! I'm super happy with my band!

I am 50 and was banded Jan 8 and doing great. As long as you follow the instructions from the nutritionalist you will be fine, take it slow, make good food choices and chew, chew, chew. It is a lifetime change, so be prepared for the new changes you will make. They are great! I have lost 19 lbs and already I can tell a big difference.