I am 69yrs old and have enough insurance now to cover lapband surgery.I have a surgeon who seems good and there is a support clinic.My BMI is 40 I think.( I can't remember numbers!!) My biggest problem in dealing with this is not so much my age as I have no other health problems (except arthritis) but because I don't believe I will be able to make it work for me. I know the forums everywhere are full of chat but the failures don't log in ( or do they ? ) I am yet to see someone who says I went through all that and it cost thousands of dollars and I have barely lost a pound.

Anyway that's my worry!!!

Why don't you think it will work for you? You do have to make some lifestyle changes yea but that's for any diet you go on.

LB is the safest procedure there is - aside from same old dieting and exercise which you will lose some weight but then you always gain it back and then some.

If you do what your doctor tells you and follow everything properly and even add in some light walking for exercise you will do just fine and in no time you will be to your goal weight. Good luck!

You are right of course

I have been reading what people miss most after LB and it is interesting how some people are on such a strict regime and others eem to be able to eat almost everything only in very small amounts and well chewed. I haven't studied the ddiet restrictions so much yet.

Your doctor should start you up slow and fill your band 1-2 cc's at a time until you get to your "sweet spot". I'm at 5cc's right now and I can still eat anything I want. That doesn't mean I eat everything I want. I certainly watch what I eat, be careful of my portions and I make sure my meals are balanced. I also eat alot of fruits and vegetables too.

I know as time goes on I will be more restricted and at that time I may or may not be able to still eat what I want. I may have to give up steak and a few other foods for a bit but the sacrifice will be worth it. I will have my health and that's important. Especially since I want to live a long and healthy life.

Shelley, there isn't an overweight person alive who doesn't start on any new weight loss plan without a jaundiced eye. We've lost and gained more than once....You always wonder, deep down inside, why this should be any different. The thing is, it really is different. Yes, you can fail with lap band .... for than matter, you can fail with gastric bypass too. But to do that, you have to make BIG effort. If you apply even half that effort to the lap band, you've done it! Why aren't there lots of failure stories on the various forums? Because the people who fail don't want to admit they didn't use the tool

Your doctor should start you up slow and fill your band 1-2 cc's at a time until you get to your "sweet spot". I'm at 5cc's right now and I can still eat anything I want. That doesn't mean I eat everything I want. I certainly watch what I eat, be careful of my portions and I make sure my meals are balanced. I also eat alot of fruits and vegetables too.

I know as time goes on I will be more restricted and at that time I may or may not be able to still eat what I want. I may have to give up steak and a few other foods for a bit but the sacrifice will be worth it. I will have my health and that's important. Especially since I want to live a long and healthy life.

Lily thank you. That was very reassuring and clear.

I am writing to you from Australia.there are web forums here but they don't seem to be as efficient as this one.I think I just might take the next step

Shelley, there isn't an overweight person alive who doesn't start on any new weight loss plan without a jaundiced eye. We've lost and gained more than once....You always wonder, deep down inside, why this should be any different. The thing is, it really is different. Yes, you can fail with lap band .... for than matter, you can fail with gastric bypass too. But to do that, you have to make BIG effort. If you apply even half that effort to the lap band, you've done it! Why aren't there lots of failure stories on the various forums? Because the people who fail don't want to admit they didn't use the tool

Thanks. I am slowly gaining confidence.

Indi

(Australia )