Hi all. Wanted to respond to everyone ! I too am over 60 ( will be 64 this July) and have had the lap band since last May. My surgery was a "piece of cake".... hummmm, probably not the best descriptive phrase I could have picked.... but I was very fortunate and recovered very quickly. I was back to work in a week.
I decided I needed to do this after many many diets and finely (after being warned numerous times by several doctors) was diagnosed with diabetes. I am 5'4" and was only 2 lbs short of 250. I had actually put the last 40 lbs on after taking my job as a State Liaison for a school district food service department! (where I still work).
I actually did very well the first couple of months. Lost nearly 40 lbs.... but then, as someone put it above, figured out a way to "outsmart" the band. I was no longer feeling full in just a few bites and my old brain overrode the band. I can still eat anything I want..... anytime I want. I thought I must need a band tightening but found just the opposite .... they wouldn't do it. I have actually put 5 lbs back on and am now trying to go back to putting matter over mind!!! I do have to say that, even tho I haven't lost any more weight, my cholesterol and blood sugar are both down in a "healthy" range.
Since my hospital (and any support groups that go with the surgery) are 3 hours from here... I need support too!!!! I too want to be more mobile .. I want my knees to stop hurting.... infact, all my joints to stop hurting! I want to beable to go out in the yard and actually get down on my knees and plant something! (and actually GET back UP again!!!) So... I'm ready.... lets get to supporting each other so we can all be successful and be (not so) young and gorgeous (or handsome) and FEEL GOOD!
Gosh, didn't mean to go on so long..... but hopefully being "gabby" won't count against me!
Lin in AZ
