skittles108

I just wanted to say hi to you. I had 5-way-heart bypass surgery in 2001 and all has been well. I had the lapband surgery 2 years ago and I've lost over 100 lbs and I'm feeling great. The surgery went just fine and I'm feeling a hundred times better then I used to. I wanted to wish you the best of luck. It is much easier to have the surgery when you have had the heart problems corrected then trying to get clearance with heart problems :party: Keep in touch. By the way I'm 66 and feel oh maybe 45 on a good day :party:

Hi there, I'm a 66-year-old female (a widow) that is approximately 2 years out from lapbanding surgery, and it is the single best thing I've ever done for myself. I had open heart surgery 6 years ago (5-way bypass) and thought I would never get approved for WLS. I knew the minute I saw the lapband info I wanted it, and I never quit until I got it. I am 5'9" and now weigh 150 lbs. (20 lbs. below the goal I set for myself). Life is good. I now can walk and walk, something I couldn't do before. I was told I needed 2 new knees, but since the surgery my knees are fine, as is my BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, and everything else. It took me about 3-4 fills in a 4 cc band to get any real restriction. I am now 2 years out and I have 4 cc in a 4 cc band (which will hold up to 6 cc). Virtually, all the fat from my stomach pad is gone, and that is why the larger fill level is required. I am perfect right now, and have been for 4 mo. now. The time is going to come shortly when I will have a little saline taken out just to maintain. I wear a 10-12, and I'm amazed. I'm down 120 lbs. since the time I started pursuing this surgery. To those who have just had the surgery, be patient until you get the right fill level. To those awaiting the surgery, I am convinced we are tough in our 60's and 70's, and this is a cakewalk compared to some surgeries I've had. I took pain meds for 2 days, and on the 3rd day I was with my daughter shopping at Walmart...and I haven't stopped being on the go since. Like I said life is sweet, and the Golden Years are truly golden now. Best to all of you, Skittles:thumbup:

Hi there, I don't get to check in as often as I would like, but for the first time in years I'm out living life. I'm busy with shopping with my daughters, and going to the YMCA. I think I've become addicted to exercise :smile: I'm glad the newbies are doing well and your surgeries were successful. My birthday was wonderful and my kids threw me a b'day party which was ever so special, and so very different from other years. My daughter gave me a beautiful top and told me she had told the clerk "I can't believe I'm trying on clothes for my mom"...wonderful feeling that size 12 I can tell you. I'll check in every chance I get, but you will all find that as you lose and get more energy you are going to be more scarce as you begin living your new lives. All my best to all of you. Skittles

Those are ancient stats. The band wasn't even approved by the FDA for use in the US until 2001. These studies were conducted long before that, and long before changes in the band. I would not pay one bit of attention to these studies. They are obsolete.

Good luck to you. The 4th is my birthday, so I hope it's a lucky day for you. My kids are throwing me a birthday party. To think that 2 years ago I didn't think I would make it to 66 and here I am feeling wonderful. To anyone else...it's common to be hungry. Until you get some fills and get restriction you are in what they call "bandster hell". Having the band is only the first step. The fills are ever important. I was also hungry during the first 6 weeks until I got my first fill, and even somewhat after that, but it got better and better. You will feel better when you move onto mushies. There are so many great things you can eat. I loved having refried Beans (low-fat) heated with some low fat cheese, topped with a little salsa and ff sour cream. I think that was the best thing I tasted after surgery, and so high in Protein. To this day I still love to fix it for lunch. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Skittles

Congratulations on your surgery and feeling so good. That is exactly how I felt I was sitting in my recliner the next day watching TV, dosing off and on, and feeling only stretching pain at the port site. We really are tough birds for sure. It seems the older gang seems to get on lots better than the younger people who have maybe never had any surgery before. I'm so happy you are doing well, and wish you continued success. Welcome to the loser's bench Skittles

I am 1 1/2 years out and happy as can be and at goal. I no longer need the two knees they were convinced I needed 1 1/2 years ago. It's amazing what losing weight can do for you. My exercise was limited to walking, and yet I lost. My recovery was as smooth as smooth could be, and actually propped up on pillows the first night home I slept in my own bed. I actually begged family to go home so I could be by myself and it was the most relaxing time I had...I had all my Protein drinks and everything all ready for my recovery and actually did a lot of sitting in my chair with a heating pad and watching TV, and walking (although I had absolutely no gas) and I drank lots and lots of Water. I've heard 20 year old's complain about the pain they went through, but most of us over 60 are tough old birds It seems to come with the territory. I was at Walmart 4 days later doing my walking and enjoying myself and only on Tylenol at that point...I hate those pain pills. I can now walk for a couple miles at a time. I work out at home to a DVD by Leslie Sansone and have a huge ball that I work out with. I also joined Silver Sneakers through Humana (it's free) at the YMCA and I'm loving life. I get to work out there on low impact equipment and do water aerobics. It's been about 40 years since I've felt this good. I wish each and every one of you the success I've had. I don't get to answer many questions about problems, because I didn't have them. I have been extremely lucky...I have never PB'ed or been stuck, and that in itself is a miracle. I eat everything, just in moderation. I see my dr. once a mo. whether I need to or not for him to take my BP (which is wonderful) and my weight and I continue to hold at my current weight of 155 lbs. I am 5'8" and don't remember when I weighed this little before. I wear a 10/12 and never thought I would see the day. I went into surgery wearing a 22/24 and 275 lbs. I huffed and I puffed and I didn't think I would make it another year honestly. Now, the world is at my feet For some people an RNY or DS might be the answer, but my dr. felt very strongly at my age and with health problems already an issue the band was the safe way to go. I've never looked back and I've never been sorry. I stay full for 4 hr. after eating and then just have a snack. My focus is never on food anymore and friends are amazed at the turnaround in me. I went from being a sort of recluse because of my limitations to being a social butterfly of sorts. Life is wonderful for me with the band and I wish the same for all of you in this magnificent journey...health and happiness to all of you. Medicare made me stay 1 night in the hospital and I couldn't wait to be turned lose. I walked and walked in the hospital and could have come home the same day. A lot of people choose to have people stay with them at home, but my family was just a phone call away, and I enjoyed the time to myself. My pain was minimal, with the port pain being a pulling pain when I got up. My incisions healed beautifully. I so wish I had done this long ago, but it wasn't truly approved until 2001 in the U.S. I turn 66 in 2 weeks and I'm feeling 50 at the oldest...umm wait I felt 66 when I was 50 I do believe. Take care to all of you and God Bless. Skittles:biggrin:

I've found an over 60 group and that is exciting. I'm 65 and had the surgery at 64. I'm not 1 1/2 years out from the surgery which I think saved my life. I was unable to walk because of bad knees that they said needed replaced; heart surgery; hypothyroidism; sleep apnea, and many other problems. The surgery has changed my life. I have lost 115 lbs. and feel wonderful. I'm 5'8" tall and weight 160 lbs. for the first time in years and years. When I had the surgery I was 275 lb. and unable to get around. I now have no more sleep apnea; my knees are like new; and although I still take Synthroid it is a much lower dose. Life is good and I'm so happy to have met older bandsters. I would do this again in a heartbeat. If you are considering the lapband, it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I've had zero complications..no gas after surgery, nothing. My fills have gone perfectly, although I'm at 4 cc in a 4 cc band (which holds 6 cc). The restriction is perfect. I don't PB or anything and I'm full very fast. Life is good. I wish you all the best. Skittles:biggrin:

I've always been a handbag and shoe freak. Who knew my feet were going to shrink upon losing weight and hardly any of my shoes fit anymore. I love QVC and am partial to Kathy Van Zeeland bags and Maxx of New York. I also love the leather, but have a few fabric bags. I also like Clark bags and their shoes. Skittles:D