Anyone over age 45 with big lb. loss to report?

[Sooverit! 1]

You know BB lately I've been thinking the huge health benefits of lowering my cholesterol and lowering my chances of sleep apnia and at least a doz other things that will improve when I stop overeating is worth it even without weight loss. Of course if insurance covers it, it is more so worth it!:rain:we are suddenly getting a real bad rain storm here and my son and hub and golfing!! :cry

[green 6]

I went through menopause when I was 41 and I was banded last September at the age of 57. I was around 200 lbs when I was banded and I now weigh 147 lbs and have a BMI of 23.9. If your weight problem is due to Portion Control then the band is a fabulous weight loss tool.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

You know BB lately I've been thinking the huge health benefits of lowering my cholesterol and lowering my chances of sleep apnia and at least a doz other things that will improve when I stop overeating is worth it even without weight loss. Of course if insurance covers it, it is more so worth it!:rain:we are suddenly getting a real bad rain storm here and my son and hub and golfing!! :cry

Lowering cholesterol... many studies show it isn't diet. Cows have the highest cholesterol around and they are vegetarians. I think exercise is key in cholesterol and genetics is the biggest factor. They used to believe it was entirely food choices but now it's known that isn't true.

sleep apnea, if it is caused by weight then eating better isn't going to change that. Losing weight will change that.

I just really disagree with this doc that claims older women have little chance for extreme weight loss.

[Kat817 19]

The overall reason the stats are stated the way they were citing strictly POST menopausal women are due to hormone production being linked to weight.

My fill Dr. expalined it to me in the same way. He said hormones are similar to the stock market...when stocks go up, bonds come down and visa versa, with us, when one hormone goes up, others go down or surge to try to compensate....and estrogen is a big factor in how other hormones work. He said for years it was seen as a normal thing for a woman to gain weight following menopause, or a hysterectomy. This changed with HRT, and has been studied much more since that time. He said there are many tests being done now connecting grehlin--the hunger hormone produced by the stomach, and estrogen.

I think if we were to dig deep enough we could likely find a study to support most any stance a Dr. wants to take on the band, with it being as relatively new as it is. And his saying that may have been no more than that being the most recent studies he had received. I mean I don't see this as being any different than any other medical studies being done, and they contradict one another all the time.

That being said, I KNOW for a fact I was able to lose weight without serious issue, and I am both over 45, and have had a complete hystrectomy, ovaries included. I know many on this board losing faster, and many slower. I have not eliminated any foods from my diet, I eat everything in moderation, and I exercise moderately as well. I am doing my best to lose this weight in the same manner I hope to live the remainder of my life!

I was never diagnosed with sleep apnea, I was never tested, I know I woke myself up often snoring! I no longer snore---so I know it was weight induced.

My cholesterol has dropped into normal range, my blood sugar is in the low side of normal, and my blood pressure is right on target---my PCP is so impressed they are planning to have his wife banded! I was his first patient to have it done. When I went to surgery I was taking Lotensin and HCTZ for blood pressure, I take nothing now. I was taking Metformin for blood sugar, I take nothing now. And I was taking Lovastatin for cholesterol, I take nothing now. For the first time in well over a decade, I take not a single prescription medication. Only using occasional Tylenol etc, OTC for headache or something. No meds. I will say it sucks that my insurance company is benefitting from this since they did nothing to help it!

Hang in there, and maybe schedule an appointment to talk to him at more length about it. I have had different results than what he says. I would recommend the lap band to anyone!

Kat

[kacee 3]

(post revised 1-28-08) I was banded 5-23-07 and am down about 61 pounds. I am 56.

[Sooverit! 1]

Kat, It was great to hear about your wonderful success with the band. It truly is ironic that your proceedure did benefit your insurance company even though they never paid for it~! I know much of cholesterol is genetics receiving but I did notice that as I lost weight a few years back, excercised and cut out sweets my cholesterol dropped 25 pts.

BB - I will never know if it was from the exercise alone. Kat I do plan to look into Bioidentical Hormones as soon as this is all done.

[dsmit13 0]

I just turned 55 and was banded Sept 24, 2007. I have lost 39 lbs and 39 inches so far. I am also a nurse and really did not want to permenantly alter my ability to absorb nutrients, so made the decision to go for the lap band knowing that it might be slower, but seemed like a better option for me. My physician studied with the MD who did some of the first clinical trials for banding in the US. He does more bypasses, but was very supportive of my decision and continues to be supportive. From a nurse's viewpoint, I can't say enough about checking out the clinic and physician who will do your surgery. Ask lot's of questions about their experience level with lap bands, their complication rates and successes, and follow up care routines. Get the honest information about the pros and cons of both surgeries and then make an informed decision that seems right for you and your body. I agree that it is just a tool, but so far has been a wonderful one. Good luck!

[Kristin1031 0]

After attending the introductory seminar at the hospital where I plan/hope to get my lap band the surgeon said just one thing that put a damper on my spirits. She said that the only group that doesn't lose weight or not too much but have health benefits are post menopausal woman. Of course..... I am 48 but still pre menopausal.

Anyone out there over age 45 that can proudly boast a good loss and put these statistics to bed?? Anyone...:help:

I am 46 and I think my weightloss has been awesome since Nov 9th surgery!! I think it is how much you workout, it will depend on how fast and how much you lose. You also must follow the program and eat the right things, and the right amount......and absolutely no cheating on drinking with meals.....!!

[shortgal 5]

generally band people have about 100 pounds to lose and even if we kept off 1/2 of those pounds, we'd be healthier for it.

As we age, our metabolism changes and we can be less active as we no longer chase kids, wash a million loads of clothes a week, vacuum everyday, work part time instead of fulltime etc. so we need less calories to maintain our weight.

The general population gains as we age for the above reason, so it stands to reason, that in 20 years a person that was banded at the age of 30 might start to gain a few pounds as well.

Life in one big crap shoot, but I was willing to take a chance on being banded vs. my health chances as I age if I were NOT banded.

I will not consider myself a failure, If I end up keeping 50 pounds off instead of 80.

[Kat817 19]

I need to get the last 25 or so pounds off, and I want to, I just at this time I guess I don't want to bad enough!!

I have maintained my loss for several months now, without issue. I do not diet, I do not do excessive exercise. It has actually reassured me more than I can say to realize that the maintenance of the weight loss with the band is so easy!

I could always lose weight, but when I attempted to go back to some semblance of normal for me diet wise, it all come rushing back with some extra as well.

So to be able to eat----my portions to be controlled----and not stress over every bite, and my weight be so stable as to cause me to step on every one I knows scales to see if it is really right, or if mine is broken and stuck-- is totally amazing, and thrilling to me!

At some point, I will kick it in gear and get the last little bit off--for now I am just lovin' life!

Kat

[kacee 3]

Well, all I can say is....I am post-menopausal, I am 56, I have lost 61 pounds (and STILL going, albeit a little slower because I am knocking on my goalweight door). I could not be happier with the results. I had the metabolism of a slug, but obviously I was sabotaging myself anyway with my eating habits because when the Portion Control kicked in, the weight started flying off, so it wasn't all metabolism at all.... I am 3 pounds UNDER my doctor's goal weight for me and 7 pounds from my goal weight. I consider myself a complete success story.

[DonHoll1 0]

Wow! I am sure glad I never heard that! I am post meno. and I have lost 56 pounds in just a little over five months. No problem for me. Donna

[Sue Magoo 71]

Hi:

I'm 48 too, and had full hysterectomy, but think I'm post menopausal because I get hot flashes every night.

Anyway, I've lost 102 pounds since last April. I was banded in July.

So, let's see what that does to your doctor's stats!

Good luck.

Sue

[LindaE 0]

Hi, Im Linda E. Im 56 yrs old/young. I was banded sept.11.2007. Im post menopausal. Im 4'10" I started at 269 lbs. Im now at 215 lbs, plus im on anti depressants. Im still dropping pounds because of the band. Small portions and high Protein lots of liquid are the answer. Thank god for the band. I havent weighed this little since 2003. I plan to keep it off and still keep loosing. My big goal is to get down below 200 lbs. good luck to everyone.

[lindaa 1]

I'm pushing 100 in about 7 1/2 months. It's hard, even with the band, but I'm hoping the band will help me keep it off this time.