Hi,

I am new here, have not been banded but thinking about it. It is encouraging to see people close to my age going through this, I am 53. I have 3 questions.

1. Have any of you had to have a stress test prior to surgery. I am scared of this because I know I won't last on the tread mill. Someone I know said that they could not do the treadmill so they injected them with something that made their heart race and said it was horrible.

2. If you have to be on a liquid diet prior to surgery, how do you manage that. It is a long time to be without food. How hard is it? I am afraid I will not be able to stay on it and blow my surgery date.

3. Are the risks with this surgery higher for the over 50 age group?

Thanks everyone.

Diane

I was 52 when I had my lapband and I had no problems. I did not need a stress test before my surgery as I was self pay. I have had a stress test since and I can tell you the treadmill is not hard at all. In fact it was almost hard for me to walk that slow. They added some speed, but as soon as I felt like it was too much they turned it down.

I was only on liquids the day prior to my surgery date and of course for the first 2 weeks after my banding, but I didn't have any trouble. I drank high protein shakes and broth type soups as well as water.

I wish you all the best and feel confident you will do great. Joanie :sneaky:)

I was banded 1 day before my 53rd birthday and it was the best birthday present I could have ever thought of. I did have a stress test prior to surgery and although it was not fun it was'nt nearly as hard as I had built it up in my mind. Since you will be monitored closely, if the technician thinks you're not doing well they'll stop it. As to the liquid diet pre-op, I did a version of that for a month or so before to reduce some of the fat around my liver. Makes the surgery easier so they don't nick your liver while installing the band. I had 3 shakes and two meals per day. Lean Cusine's worked great. Go for it. It's got to be better than hanging on to all the fat. Good luck!

i had the stress echo and it was no big deal. A few minutes on the treadmill and it was over.

the liquid takes getting used to. I had lots of broth and jello. I just brought it to work with me and tried not to obsess about it. Not sure age has much to do with the surgery as much as medical conditions. Age 50 and looking foward to 50 more!

Wendy

Edited April 4, 201016 yr by zinhaa
not finished

I was 60 when I was banded. Neither my insurance or the surgeon required a stress test. I only had to be on a liquid diet for one day before surgery, so it was no big deal. Even at my age my PCP and surgeon thought I was a perfect candidate for WLS and gave me plenty of support. No one mentioned anything about being a higher risk for surgery. My only regret - I wish I had done this years ago!

I wish you good luck with your weight loss.