TravelLady48

Renee: First congratulation on your decision, and I wish you luck your weigh loss. I too live in So.Cal and would be interested to know who did your band. At this time I am having a problem with the doctor I have chosen and I might be looking for another dr.

Thanks so much Tammygirl: Yes, I too feel the doctor is penalizing me because he has no confidence in me because of my age.:sleep: He knows how I have struggled all these many years going up and down. I feel he should more encouraging, but I will show everyone. The one person who is squarely on my side is my son and he wants whatever is best for me.:confused: Thanks for all your encouragement. I am thinking more clearly about which surgery I shoud have first, knee or banding. I think I will just work on getting my weight down and get the band first. That's my first priority. I will keep everyone up to date.

GG2007: I was not put on pre-op diet prior to the first date for surgery, which I cancelled.:thumbs_down: He decided that he wants to see how focused I am, so he is requiring actually 25 lbs and I have already lost 5lbs. My BP was also very elevated so he wants to see that is under control. I am not letting my age be a hinderance to the surgery, because I really want to be here when my only child gets married in the next 2 years. I also want to be around to play with any future grandchild(if my son's size 2 fiance will allowed herself to get pregnant.) :thumbup:

Lottacash: I am so happy to hear that your sister who was 56 when she was banded, has been so successful. This gives me hope, because more than one doctor has tried to steer me toward bypass instead of the band. The reason they have given me is my high BMI (50.2) and being a type 2 diabetic. I feel I found the right surgeon for me and I will stick with him eventhough he is out-of-network for United Health care (he left after my initial visit). He is requiring me to lose 20 lbs, which I feel I should be able todo quickly.

Lisa: Your ideas for vacationing are great. I have not had my banding yet. I am on a pre-op diet to lose 20 lbs. I hope to do that in the next 6 weeks or less, but I am scheduled to go on a cruise at the end of Sep, so I will ask them to schedule the surgery after my trip. I had hoped I could have the surgery weeks before and be finished with the liquid and mushies before I travel. Wish me luck, I need this surgery and love to travel, so this will help me feel more comfortable whenever I go. I also need it for my health.

Hi: I see that you have quite road to getting approved for the Lap-Band. We have talked on another forum, and I am in the process of losing 20 lbs before my banding surgeon will set a date for the surgery. I was really frustrated yesterday when he told me this, but I understand it will reduce the size of my liver. I had been to another surgeon who said he does not do the Lap-Band on people with BMI over 45. My BMI is 50.2. Good luck with your weight loss and your banding. Once I figure out how to put a weight loss ticker with my signiture, I will be able to track my progress.

I haven't had the band yet, but I had a c-section many years ago and I was much smaller at that time, but it was a piece of cake. I was up walking around within a couple hours. I can only hope the lap-band surgery is as easy.

Hey April: I now know the feeling of having to wait. I have been approved by my insurance co, but the doctor now wants me to lose 20 lbs before he will set my surgery date. I was in shock after this consultation yesterday because I am really ready to proceed, but I now realize this may be the best for me, because I won't run the risk of going under the knife and then waking up with no band because my liver was too big. I'm just trying to be very philosophical about to whole thing, because I feel the doctor is doing this for my own good. Just hang in there and you will have your approval soon. We are all here for each other and that's what matters. Anne the Travel Lady

My banding doctor did not give me a timeline, just said to loss the weight. I don't have a date set yet for the knee surgery, I'm just in so much pain and I want to proceed with one or the other because I have been putting both surgeries off for a while. I knee problem has come from an old injury and is aggravated by my excess weight. I understand why he wants me to drop some weight, it just that now that I have made up my mind to get the band I had hoped that I would have date set. It is my own fault because if I had not cancelled my June 12 date, I would have had my band right now. Oh well, it's out of my hands. Anne the Travel Lady

First I am so proud of all you younger women for taking control of your lives early, instead of waiting too long. (as I might have done) Today I went in for another consultation with the doctor who is to do my surgery, and my blood pressure so out of control (I'm on medication)he said we will have to wait. He also said he wants me to lose at least 20lbs before he will schedule me. This is a new restriction because I cancelled my June 12 surgery and he wants to see if I am focused enough. I had hoped to get the band quickly, because I also have an arthritic knee that needs replacing. So I think I will go ahead and have my knee replacement while I am trying to qualify for the banding. So ladies, please keep me in your prayers, as I have you all in mine.:thumbup: Anne the Travel Lady

Hi everyone: Happy everyone had a successful 4th of July, one of the many great eating holidays. I have not been banded yet, but chose not to go to accept any of the invitations to go to eat. We just had a quiet day at home and I grilled some chicken and had some salad. My son worked (he owns a store) and my husband was okay with not going anywhere because it was very hot and we stayed in the air conditioned house. My family is from the South so I have all the great eating traditions that I will have to overcome. Anne from Pasadena, Ca :biggrin:

As an introduction: My name is Anne I live in Pasadena, Ca. I am 59 and have been married 30 yrs. I have one 28 year old son, who is engaged to a Diva. For 25 years I worked for a major airline. I have travelled all over the world. Everyone depends on me, and at this time I am taking care of my elderly Mother. I have not been banded yet but need this for my health. I really want to be around when my son gets married and I have my 1st grandchild.:biggrin: I'm so happy I found this forum. Anne the Travel Lady

It has taken me so long because I was not getting any encouragment from any of my family or friends. I grew up in So. California where so many people (Hollywood types) are very weight conscious, but then I went and worked in Atlanta, where round female figure seem to be more acceptable and I loved the attendtion. Now I am back in LA and I need to get this weight off for my health. I truly have decided just to keep my mouth closed about the surgery, until I really start seeing the results. The only ones who are encouraging me is my son and his size 2 fiance. I did finally tell my husband and he feels it will be more money spend and it will do no good. :thumbup: What's a sista to do, other than take care of herself. Anne from Pasadena, ca

I have type 2 diabetes and am looking forward to getting off some of my diabetes medication and seeing my numbers stabilize. Yes, it will be great to weight much less but to be healthier is my main goal. :frown: My diabetes doctor has not been very encouraging because he says he has not heard all the good news about the changes to diabetes after banding. He has been pushing me toward bypass surgery, but he said that at least I am taking a good step by doing the band. :thumbup: I have been approved by my insurance and have done all my pre-op test. I now have to have another consultation with the surgeon, because I cancelled the surgery on June 12, but I am really ready now. Anne from Pasadena, ca

I'm so happy that I found his forum. I have about 165 lbs to lose and it is so enligthening to see how well so many other people who are even heavier than me have faired. One surgeon I consultated even said that he would not do the band on people with BMI higher than 45 (I am 50.5). He feels that the weight loss is only about 50 lbs in a year and that I would be disapointed. But from what I am reading the heavier you are, the faster you can lose. I am especially interested that so many people have reduced their need for so much medication and have been taken off the CPAP machine. This has been a long road for me because I have been trying to make up my mind for almost 18 months, and I have had no support from my family. I was actually scheduled for banding June 12, 2008 and cancelled. This was before I found LBT. After reading all the various post I am ready to proceed. I have another consultation with my surgeon on July 8, 2008, because he really wants to see if I have made the commitment to go through with the banding this time. I am really ready because I can't wait any longer, I'm not getting any younger and I need to get healthy again. One of my concerns is the fact that the knee is so bad painful from arthritis, the only excercise I can do is in the pool. I hope that will be enough. I know I need to excercise to help speed the weight loss. Wish me luck. I really want to have this sooner than later. Anne from Pasadena, Ca.

I don't hear any popping or cracking from my knees, but the pain is just so intense and in fact I use a cane if I am going to walk any distance. I have severe arthritis and total loss of cartilage in my knee. The orthopedic Dr told me that even if I lose weight I will probably have to have a knee replacement, he has really encouraged me to go for the banding. I have been doing excercises in a therapy pool, which give me some temporary relief. In preparation for the banding I have been taken off Celebrex, arthritis medication. So I am very ready for my banding. anne

Here's a few more I thought about. -I used to be real out going and socialable and as I put on more and more weight I have become very reclusive. -my son always says I used to be so much fun and I was known for my very infectious laugh. -have people not assume I am stupid because I am so overweight. -Go into a regular store and buy clothes instead of shopping from a catalogue. -I love swimming and do swim even now, but people look at me like I shouldn't be there. -Be able to walk without the pain in my knees. -Go out with my son's size 2 fianance and not feel so self conscious (she is really so sweet to Me) Anne from Pasadena

My doctors say I will lose weight very slowly,maybe only 1 or 2 lbs a week. It would seem that if the calories are so restricted due to the size of the pouch the weight loss should be faster. My goal is over 100 lbs. I have never had a problem losing weight with most "diets' and excercise, but keeping off has been the problem. :tt2: Can anyone enlightenme on this?

I'm interested to hear how the band has improved peoples co-morbidities. I do have diabetes and there is indications that with bypass surgery goes away, but I have also heard that it can get better and off meds with the band. My doctor is trying to push me toward the bypass surgery. Also what about sleep apnea? I have all the co-morbids so besides wanting to look better and be more comfortable, I really need the weight loss for health reasons. I really need some more insight. I desperate to get this surgery. Anne

I was told I had a hiatial hernia about 10 years ago when I was bed ridden for a couple of months, but I have not had any acid reflux for years. I will definitely ask my surgeon about this. So many of these post are helping me gather questions that I can ask my surgeon before I reschedule my Lap Band surgery. Thanks. Anne from Pasadena, Ca

I hae no problem with the slow weight loss, because I feel that it will be better on my body. Its the doctor who refused to do the band on me who said I would not be satisfied with the slow weight loss. He probably has never been obese and doesn't realize how happy I will be to lose 50 lbs in a year and keep it off. Hopefully, my co-mobids will also be be better or eleminated. Anne from Pasadena, Ca

Mary: Thanks for your reply. It's so good to hear that your BP, sleep Apenea and type 2 diabetes have gotten better since your banding. I also have those same medical problems and am your same age, so I feel that you are a great example for me. This helps put my mind at ease, because my physicians have been no help, when it comes to Lap Band informaion. Anne from Pasadena, Ca

I looking forward to all mentioned, especially the airline seats. I worked for an airline for 22 years and have life travel benefits and have not gone anywhere recently because of my size. Also, since I will be an older bander, I want to live long enough to attend my son's wedding next year in Argentina and be able to play with my future grandchildren. _________________________________________________________________ ANNE

Good luck on your surgery. Thanks for your reply. I also feel 2 lbs a week is great, but it was the doctor who mentioned that it just was not enough for the amount of weight I need to lose. He is the one telling me that with my BMI 51, that GB is my best choice. I fell it should be my choice and GB is not for me.

Thanks for the reply Cheryl. I too am older but do not look my age and have worried about the saggy skin I will have, but I need this for my health. Anne