Thomas

When I had foot surgery a few years back, I took a black magic marker and wrote on my lower leg, " operate on this foot " with a big arrow. It made me feel a lot more comfortable going into the operating room. Tom

Hi Pegg, You are not alone. There is a special age related forum section for those of us in our 60's and also one for those in their 70's. It never too late to start the journey for better health. I went to my seminar last week and got all the paper work. I'll have to wait until February for the operation as that is when my Medicare becomes effective. I never thought that I would be looking forward to turning 65 ! There are wonderful people on this site and a wealth of information to be gained. Good luck to you ! Tom

The one thing we all have in common is our good friend or enemy, the bathroom scale. I have been through many scales through my years and have never really gotten one that I like until now. years ago I bought a couple of digital scales which worked for a while and then seemed to go crazy on me. I would get on the scale five times in a row and get five different readings. I also tried a few spring scales. At my age with not perfect eyesight, it was difficult to read the numbers. Also I found that with a degree of " body english ", I could make the scale read different numbers. If I leaned forward, my weight would be less. If I really wanted to beat myself up, I would lean a little back and the weight would go up. Down deep I knew I was fooling no one but myself. With my lap band surgery in a few months, I wanted a scale that would be honest and one that I couldn't fudge the numbers. I bought a high quality weight beam scale, the kind the Doctors use in their offices. The numbers are eye level and easy to read and the results are honest. The scale reads my weight by the ounce, so if I only lose an ounce one day, I will know it and can celebrate the success however small. I would be interested to hear the scale stories of others and about the scales they use. Tom

Congratulations !! Good things come to those who wait ! I also have been waiting all year. My insurance won't pay for my lap band, but in a few months I will be on Medicare and they will cover it. Enjoy your new adventure and journey and the emerging " new you ". Best of luck, Tom

CONGRATULATIONS !!! Get a good night sleep and enjoy the ride ! A new start and a new you !! Best of luck, Tom

It's hard when you want and need reward and validation for your efforts and not get it. When we are heavy we want to disappear and not be noticed, when we loose weight we want to be noticed by everyone. Your friends are right, in time you will wow all of them with the " new you". In the mean time the mirror and reflections in store windows can be your best friends. They don't lie and will put a smile on your face. Keep up the good work and fighting the good fight. You are a hero ! I remember years ago I had a beard for many years. One day I shaved it off and went to work. People could not figure why I looked different - most thought I had gotten new glasses ! Tom

Hi Steph, Good luck in your research. This is a great forum for getting all your questions answered. I recently purchased the book titled, "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band " and found it extremely helpful in honestly informing me about the lap band. The book can be ordered online from Borders and I highly recommend it. Tom

This book is a new 2008 publication on the lap band which I have just read and would HIGHLY recommend to anyone considering having the procedure. The book is titled, " Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band ". It can be ordered online from Borders books. 295 pages. Tom

No, I haven't had the surgery yet. I have to wait until February when I will be covered by medicare. I think the important points of the book are that the procedure is indeed safe and is reversible although it is meant to be there for life. There is a very high success rate for the prople that have had the procedure and that over a long period of time the weight does stay off. I am 64 and have dieted successfully many times and have gained the weight back even more successfully. At my age, to stay fat will be to die early. The lap band, by far, is the best option for me to finally get the weight off and keep it off. In preparation for my procedure I have bought a new beam scale. The kind they use in Doctor's offices and have my treadmill ready to come into service along with resistence weights. It will be the most important thing that I have done for me in my life and I can't wait to get started. Tom

Hi Bernie, Congraulations on your decision. I have a 6 month wait until I get my lap band and my gradual transformation into a superb specimen of a man. I know what you mean by the last blow-out. I have visions for myself sitting down to a large steak pie with sticky toffee pudding to follow and large quantities of best bitter. I know I won't do this, but it is fun to dream about it ! I think the amazing thing that happens with many people with the lap band is that they really don't have the same taste or craving for the foods they once enjoyed and so the journey of weight loss is mentally easier to do. I have also found that virtually nobody regrets getting the band and wonderful success stories abound. Enjoy the final blow-out and the start of the " new you ". Tom

Sometimes exercise can mean all the difference if you are not seeing the pounds come off. Just a few miles on a treadmill each day can burn a lot of calories, but also speed up your metabolism. Don't wish the 65 pounds off all at once. Enjoy the journey and the triumphs you will have along the way. Good luck and enjoy the " new you ".

Hi Lucy, I am planning on having my lap band at Danbury Hospital in February when I will be covered by Medicare. Could you tell me overall how your experience was at Danbury ? I have been there for other procedures and they seem to be pretty good. Thanks for your help. Tom

I just viewed a complete lap band surgery on Youtube. If you go to Youtube and key in " Live Lap-band surgery - Kansas City ", there are 5 parts and it takes about an hour to watch. It is a quality video of a complete lap band surgery. I am having my lap band surgery in February and feel a lot more comfortable knowing and seeing exactly what happens. This is a MUST to watch for anyone thinking about or planning to have the surgery.

Hello Michelle, I am having to wait until February for my Lapband. That is when I will be 65 and covered under Medicare. This has given me a lot of time to research all I can regarding the Lapband. From all that I have read, it appears to be an extremely safe operation. It is minimally invasive and actually a very simple operation from a mechanical standpoint. I don't think there is any reason at all for you to worry. I look at it this way. I have a much greater chance of death from being obese than from the operation, so having the operation will probably extend my life substantially. Everyone has a degree of the jitters, but you will do well and remember there are thousands of wonderful people here to support you.

Congratulations on your 7 stone loss ! I live in the USA. I have traveled to Edinburgh many times and love the City. Used to stay up on Forrest Road near Greyfriars. I have to wait until February for my band to have it paid by Medicare ( age 65 requirement ). You are one of my heros and I hope to one day have a success story like yours. Keep up the good work. Cheers !

I would like to introduce myself to the Forum. My name is Tom and I am 64 years old and retired. I am 5' 11'' and weight about 320. I have found that my current insurance specifically excludes any bariatric surgery coverage, so I must wait 6 months until I will be on Medicare which will cover the procedure under the program plans I will be signing up for. I plan to have the procedure done at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut. It is only a ten minute ride and has been named one of the two best Hospitals in the United States for bariatric surgery. I feel lucky to live this close. I have been reading all I can on the procedure and am very excited about the prospects of finally being off medications and regaining my health. I have read so many LapBand stories on the site and can say that you are all my heros ! In time, I hope to have my great success story to share with you all. I was wondering how many men of my age have had the procedure and if any of you would so kind as to share your experince. I would love to hear from you. Many thanks for your support. Tom