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I am 65. I got a lap band at 55 but it recently slipped and caused me to develop a hiatal hernia. So I got it removed, the hernia fixed and a revision to a gastric bypass all in one surgery. Recovery was a bit harder than the lap band but I don't think it was that I'm 10 years older as much was how much more involved a bypass is than a lap band. You are never too told to try to improve your health, and the benefits far outweigh the risks, so go for it! And we are all here to help you get through it.

I turned 60 two months after having surgery. Six months before surgery, my primary care physician told me I was looking at a major cardiac event within the next ten years that I might not survive. That was the turning point that made me decide to have the surgery It was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I feel wonderful. My doctor says I've probably added 10-15 years to my life expectancy. I just wish I had done it 30 years earlier!

Lap band proved to be so statistically unsuccessful and had so many complications that our surgeons here won't even do it anymore. RNY is completely different. It's not just the restriction that works, it is the hormone and metabolic reset that happens. When the brain/stomach hormonal communications are so damaged from yo-yo dieting, RNY can fix this. Also, with WLS , the metabolism does not bottom out like what happens with a non surgical diet of caloric restriction. I am approaching 1year post op RNY. I don't have a lot of restriction now - there are still some foods that can bother me - like raw salad, but generally I can eat whatever I want. The thing is, I just don't want the bad stuff anymore. I have so much energy and with exercise, I believe I have added some muscle mass. My metabolism is definitely, without a doubt, much higher than it was before surgery. As long as I exercise, eat the right foods, and log everything (I write it all down. My rule is that it must be written before I can eat it. I don't count calories now - just log the food.), I will be able to maintain my healthy weight. Lab band is pure restriction. RNY is much more than that.

Burn baby burn.

my RNY took just over an hour. But there's the prep and the recovery, of course - that may be why some people are reporting theirs taking a lot longer than that (??). The surgery itself is pretty quick, unless you have other issues going on (like a hernia).

I love hearing that!

I had surgery Dec. 23rd and have lost 25 pounds in the last 2 weeks, For this week I haven’t lost any weight which is fine. My doctor told me I can try 1 ounce soft chicken, eggs things like that and after having 1 ounce of it , I’m still so hungry and don’t feel full at all ....

It's easy to be scared because there is so much noise out there about WLS and certainly short term deviations are to be expected, but Just remember: eat less, weigh less. The band was not really the complete answer. It works for some who use it as a tool to learn new habits, but there are now better (and easier) ways. Trust the process. A smaller pouch is easier to fill with less food. Just make it the right food at the right intervals, and you will be good to go. luck!

This is my biggest fear too I had lap band surgery and it didn't help my hunger at all. Everyone said it would, and I followed the plan just as the doctor told me to. Went in for my fills and check-ups. I lost a little weight (about 30 pounds) but I was really disappointed in the results. All it would take to clear my pouch and cause hunger was a burp and the food I'd eaten would slide down to my stomach so my pouch would be emptied. I'm scared something like that would happen with bypass.

So jelly! I'm on three weeks liquid, three weeks puree, THEN I can start having actual food! My surgeon is VERY strict about following that timeline.