Age

[Boatcat 0]

How old is too old for lab-band surgery? I'm 59 and looking into have the surgery?:help:

[CTpaddler 0]

I was banded earlier this week and I'm also 59. I was starting to feel like a 70 year old getting around and I didn't want to deal with those restrictions sooner than necessary. I'd say Go For It!

Ellen

[Dody 0]

How old is too old for lab-band surgery? I'm 59 and looking into have the surgery?:help:

I just turned 64 and am looking at May for surgery. You are never too old to get healthy.

[Boatcat 0]

Thank you for your reply.

[aaamom 0]

my dad is having surgery monday (April 3). He is 70

[Dody 0]

Your Dad has me beat. I thought probably I was the oldest gonna be bandster on here. Hope your Dad does great.

[aaamom 0]

nope, they tell him he is the oldest. Other than being overweight, he is pretty healthy. Please all say a little prayer for my dad- he is a real special man.

[Jantique 0]

AAAMom - I wish your Dad well - there's a brave man!

I'm 55. Does anyone have information on whether being mature affects the ease or speed of weight loss with the band? Thanks!

[CTpaddler 0]

I'm 55. Does anyone have information on whether being mature affects the ease or speed of weight loss with the band? Thanks!

The only differences I can think of related to age are the severity of the comorbidities that might have developed.

Degenerative arthritis in my knees makes it tougher to walk until I get rid of more of the weight. I'm looking into a Water aerobics class and I'll keep walking through the discomfort knowing it will get better as the weight comes off. Because my job is sedentary and I have gotten out of the exercise habit, I have some relearning to do.

Other conditions like heart disease might have forced a person into a healthier eating plan which might actually help working with a band. By that I mean that a cardiac diet would have eliminated a lot of unhealthy eating habits and Portion Control might be the biggest issue....and hopefully one that the band will help with.

So, I would think that a mature person who is still in good physical shape and can exercise and who is also able to make better food choices should have comparable results. That's what I'm hoping anyway. Beyond that, I think it's an individual thing.

Ellen

[Dody 0]

nope, they tell him he is the oldest. Other than being overweight, he is pretty healthy. Please all say a little prayer for my dad- he is a real special man.

Please keep us posted on how your Dad does with his surgery. I'm very anxious about mine, even though I really want it. The age thing bothers me a little bit, but not being around for my grandchildren bothers me more.

I'm sending out a special prayer for your Dad. My Dad was very special to me and died 2 years ago at 100 years old. That's why I say you are never too old to have the band....lucky girl your Dad could be looking at 30 years or so with this new band. I'll especially be thinking of him and sending out a prayer on the day of surgery.

[Dody 0]

I had 5-way-bypass exactly 5 years ago and have been doing fine. The weight that I gained when I quit smoking is the reason my cardiologist wants me to have the surgery. I eat good food always, but I eat far too much of it, and I tend to not eat all day and be starving by nighttime. I have to relearn a lot of things for sure. Not eating at night will be the biggest thing for me, but I'm looking forward to a longer life with the help of the band. My feet kill me too. I'm hoping that losing some weight will help it....my feet are my biggest problem. I've never had a problem with my heart in the past 5 years Thank God, and I'm cleared for surgery by my cardiologist who is 100% behind the band.

[Jantique 0]

I'm thinking you should experience an easier recovery post banding than post-bypass, Dody! My only other surgery experience was upper and lower eyelids two years ago, and in comparing lapband and eyelid recoveries, I'd have to say that immediately afterwards the discomfort seemed greater with the band, but I have sprung back quicker. The eyelids were bruised, puffed and uncomfortable for maybe 3 1/2 weeks afterwards. After a week with the band, I'm still sore around the port, but otherwise it's hard to believe it's actually in there! But I don't yet know what living with restriction is like!

When are you scheduled?

[GeezerSue 7]

The surgery should go okay...my band was implanted when I was almost 56 and removed when I was almost 59,

HOWEVER...

now that I have lived with esophageal dysmotility, I don't think this surgery should be performed on any older person who has not undergone manometry to check on esophageal functioning PRE-banding.

Because the functioning of the esophagus can be compromised with age and/or with obesity and /or with the band, an older fat person should know going in if he or she already has problems with that issue and make the decision for--or against--surgery based on the results of the testing. IMHO

[Dody 0]

I am going to Tennessee for my surgery. I am scheduled to see the surgeon on Apr. 26 in Nashville at Vanderbilt Hospital. I have had every test known to man before getting the OK to go ahead. Between my GP and my cardiologist...I have had upper GI; psych eval; echo; ekg; thallium scan; abdominal scan; endoscopy-you name it, they have put me through it before giving me the go ahead.

You are right, if I can recover from having my chest cracked open I figure there can't possibly be anything worse. That took me 6 mo. to even feel normal after and I think I still have about the ugliest scar possible even after 5 years. I developed keloids in that scar, although I have never had this problem before. I've had gallbladder surgery and you can't even see the scars, nor can you see the scars where they had to cut open both legs to get enough veins for the open heart surgery. Anyone that has even become alert after surgery on a ventilator and paralyzed can only visualize what I went through. I don't wish open heart surgery on anyone in this world. My husband was killed in an automobile accident, and I also lost my mom...I lived on coffee and cigarettes and worked night and day so I wouldn't think. The not thinking got me bypass surgery, and the cigarettes went for good. I turned to eating to fill the void and that is never a good thing, and absolutely no excuse on my part.

Today I've come out the other side a stronger and more determined person. I have just had all my dental work completed and my teeth lasered (OMG I so forgot how white teeth could be), and I have all my own. Now, I'm ready to venture into the band and hopefully I won't be too big a complainer, but I'm sure I'll turn to the board for support.

Sue, you are absolutely right about the tests that should be run. I guess I should be glad that I have overly cautious doctors that have ordered all these tests, because I know I'm going into this without any major problems. I already had to put the surgery off 3 mo. because they found an ulcer they had to clear up and I will remain on aciphex which should be easy to take because it is only the size of a birth control pill and works great.

[aaamom 0]

Thanks for your well wishes Dody. My Dad is becoming somewhat nervous about the upcoming surgery, but he sees how well I have done, and he knows it will be worth it in the end. The pain, for me, was somewhat minimal, and I really never struggled with any REAL problems. I will be there when he wakes up, and will take him home the next day to care of him. Hey, he did it for me, now it's my turn !!

I will keep u posted ! Keep him in your prayers.....