Indi Shelley

Well if you are like me you have decided that you have made the best decision you can make and now go with the flow .And yes it pretty well is just getting on with your life but feeling full a lot earlier than before when eating ,and with a bit of luck not feeling very hungry very often. After reading all the bad things that can happen and problems people have had, it is really great that I feel so normal . You can eat all the worng things you know, like ice creams and chocolate and othe fattening stuff. The band lets them through very easily so don't be fooled that you won't have to be a good student of the right foods and a sensible eater . I was 69 when I got mine done and the first few months were a bit difficult . I kept thinking I didn't need to stay on the mushy diet and broke the rules and had to regurgitate but since that stage has passed everything feels normal and I slowly lose weight.

Well done...back at work in a week. Wonderful!

Not so old , Oldone. I was 69 when I had mine done last year. How lucky am i when i read the hurdles you have to jump to get the surgery. Keep up the good fight .this will help you I feel sure.

Another Australian !!Hello there . You will be just fine. Your letter sounds just like me last December. I was done on 16th Dec.You are making the best decision you can make so don't worry any more. BTW I think we have the same birthday. Not the same age though. I wish i had decided to have the op. a few years back but even at 69 I came through it just fine and although I am not the biggest loser there is a steady weight loss.Are you having the op in Sydney?

If you are like me you will have reservations right up to the day. You have to make up your mind that the chances are good that everything will go well, you will manage the changes ( because it is not as bad as childbirth after all !!) and that whatever the outcome you are making the best choice that you can,given the battle losing weight can be for most banders. I am amazed how normal I feel /felt although the first few weeks were a bit of a surprise.Do you know that song (by Burt Baccarat(?) I think) ..that says" there is always something there to remind me. "It could be your theme song post op ,You will be careful because you have to be but that is only in the initial period.

No one mentions this problem much but with a very restricted diet others must be experiencing a constipation problem .I am finding this a problem now 6 days post op.

Thanks Lolly I guess the symtoms crep up on one in the first few days after the op.when the main input is clear fluid.

Thank you Adagray for that information about the effect of low carb diets and fluid loss. I kept thinking when I was on the pre op diet there must be a fluid tablet of some sort in optifast because I was always looking for a bathroom.Anyway I had my Op on the 16th Dec and I notice yours was the next day so hope you are going OK at the moment.

Wow You don't muck around in keeping us up to date do you? When I have my operation in about a month I will be in hospital 2 nights.hope you are feeling better each day. Did you try the pre op diet or tried and failed?

Well done .

Hi all I am in the 60+ group but still waiting in the wings for surgery. I know if I wait around too long and think some miracle is going to happen to move the weight ,I might be in the 70's plus and the decision won 't be any easier. I just want to say to you guys writing in, that everything you contribute to this board is helpful . Noel gaining 13 lbs must be a bit of a let down. When you are on a lot of medications ,it is always a worry about whether they are increasing your craving for carbs . I think some medications can do that. You have also lost a lot of weight Noel . I think there is something called a plateau . Maybe others know whether there is such a thing with the lapband diet.When I had a chat with my surgeon he said that ! KG ( approx) 2lbs a month was the goal .( That's here in Australia of course !!!

I am 69yrs old and have enough insurance now to cover lapband surgery.I have a surgeon who seems good and there is a support clinic.My BMI is 40 I think.( I can't remember numbers!!) My biggest problem in dealing with this is not so much my age as I have no other health problems (except arthritis) but because I don't believe I will be able to make it work for me. I know the forums everywhere are full of chat but the failures don't log in ( or do they ? ) I am yet to see someone who says I went through all that and it cost thousands of dollars and I have barely lost a pound. Anyway that's my worry!!!

Thanks. I am slowly gaining confidence. Indi (Australia )

Lily thank you. That was very reassuring and clear. I am writing to you from Australia.there are web forums here but they don't seem to be as efficient as this one.I think I just might take the next step

You are right of course I have been reading what people miss most after LB and it is interesting how some people are on such a strict regime and others eem to be able to eat almost everything only in very small amounts and well chewed. I haven't studied the ddiet restrictions so much yet.

Hi Rosie I am concerned for you. I hope you feel better soon too Please let us know. Indi

My surgeon said it is not your age but your state of health. he has operated on people a lot younger but ina far worse state of health