senior Senior woman and lapband

[MarciaM 10]

Has any senior have success with the lapband? This is the only procedure I am interested.

[catwoman7 11,216]

it may be hard to find a surgeon who'll be willing to place a lapband. That surgery has largely been replaced by the sleeve as the non-RNY option, because so many people had complications with the lapband. A lot of people had to have their lapbands removed.

P.S. you might want to try posting on the Lap band forum here on this site. They're the only members of Bariatric Pal who probably have a lap band these days. I almost never see posts from lap banders on the major forums anymore. Here's the link to the lap band forum:

https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/4-lap-band-surgery-forums/

Edited March 10, 2023 by catwoman7

[Arabesque 7,336]

Lap bands aren’t commonly done anymore & many surgeons don’t even do them now. (Complications, low success rate - only about 30% lose their weight, greater risk of regain, etc.) Sleeve has become the more popular surgical option & many older people successfully have that surgery. (I was 54 when I had mine but there are many in their 60s & 70s who do.)

Are you only interested in the band because it is reversible & makes fewer changes to your body? We all have our own reasons for choosing our surgery so certainly no judgment here. I just find it interesting to hear why people choose their surgery but maybe I’m just nosy. LOL! When I first decided to go the surgery route I thought lap band but then started doing research & realised a sleeve would be a better fit for my lifestyle, medical status & my weight loss/gain history.

[Bandedbut 25]

I had the lapband, and at first it worked well and I reached my goal. I had it because it was reversable. Then I experienced the complications that so many others have, and had to have it removed. I gained all the weight back. I have 2 friends that also had the lapband and also had to have it removed. I was happy to be thin, but at the expense of constantly throwing up, really bad GERD, and landing in urgent care twice because I was so dehydrated. I would highly advise against it! I am now 2 weeks post op with the sleeve, (at 62) and finally optimistic again.

[Spinoza 1,414]

I considered the band, but less than a day of research convinced me never to have it. Got sleeved instead and have never looked back. What puts you off more invasive surgery OP? It's definitely a bigger investment in the short term but I think well worth it in the longer term.

Best of luck whatever you decide.