Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[momlambert 77]

I am seriously considering lapband surgery and have an appointment on Wednesday to have a upper GI series done to see if I am a candidate. The reason for the test? I had Gastric Surgery in 1980 (one of the first in the country) and that will complicate any attempt at the lapband. So, my question is....does the lapband work for us? How much can I expect to lose and how fast? I will be a self pay and the thought of going to Mexico scares me to death. Anyone had that expereince and if so, what did you do for followup and fills? I am thinking of just going to a well known surgeon in the Salt Lake City area and paying the price. Any thoughts?

I can't answer your questions about banding after bypass surgery. As far as how much you can expect to lose and how fast, my dr. says 1.5-2 lbs. a week is a good loss. I have lost almost 40 lbs. in just over 40 weeks BUT I didn't get any restriction until the 10th or so fill and now, after 13 fills I THINK I might be at proper restriction. I'm the same age as you but had a lower BMI when I started. Also, the first six months of my banding were the most stressful in my life. I tried to follow the rules and feel I succeeded very well but I don't think my body wanted to give up the fat because of the stress (father diagnosed with cancer, passed away, sold two houses, built another, lived with children for 2 months, furnished new house, took care of two daughters during high-risk pregnancies and then subsequent births, etc.--it was crazy!). SO, I feel happy that I've LOST weight instead of gained it. I think I'm one of the slowest losers who was banded last March.

As far as your Mexico question--MANY people on here have made that choice and are very happy with it. Like you, it scared me to death and my husband wouldn't entertain the idea at all. I was self-pay, too. I lived in Provo, UT (now live in Midway, UT) and went to Dr. Hansen at South Valley Surgical. I couldn't be happier with my decision to use him. The two people in Utah that I am in contact with who went to Mexico have had trouble getting fills and adequate support in Utah. FWIW. When I figured the cost of the airlines, the fills (mine are free for a year--thank goodness-- and then I can pay $500 for another year), and the support (dietitian, nurses, support groups, dinner groups, and a great Christmas party with awards), I feel I got a good deal staying here plus the peace of mind that my drs. are just a phone call or an hour away.

Good luck! Those are big decisions. I hope your GI goes well--keep us posted. There is a thread called "anyone in Utah want to talk" that may also give you some good feedback on the Mexico vs. Utah question. Keep us posted!

[mistymoon 0]

Hi Flashme5, I had weight loss surgery in 1972. Went from 303 down to 169 and stayed there untuil 1987 when I had to have the bypass reconnected. They no longer do the surgery I had as it was deemed too dangerous. Gradually I put the weight back on. Last spring I reached 330 and started to diet. By the end of July I had lost 30 lbs and then started to go back up again. Long story short I had my band done on Sept 5th in TJ Mexico. The facility was cleaner than any you would see in the states and I was impressed with the care we received. My Doctor did charge me an extra 5000.00 becaudse of the added difficulty of the previous surgery. I don't know if that is the case with every docotor.

As far as how is it going?? Well I am down to 267 but I am not feeling any restriction yet. I have had two fills but I need another onel. It is to costly for me to go back to MX. I have been trying to find a doctor near me to do the fuills but they will either not take Mexico patients or require you to go to classes before they wil give you a fill. Of course there is a charge for that. lol I just heard of someone up near Portland to contact. That is an eight hour drive but still better than the 2 day trip dwn to MX. I honestly feel that you should have no problems in MX - research the doctors on line and I know you can find the right one for you. I fyou have any questions just email me. Oh BTW the doctor encountered absolutely NO PROBLEMS because of my past surgery - Of course I still had to pay the extra 5000.

Good Luck

Nance

[peaches9 3]

Yes, I have read that BANDING is appropriate for former Gastric Bypass Patients...

Good luck

[phyllser 3]

ATTENTION: DO NOT look at the ads in the Sunday paper today!!! They are FULL of chocolate TEMPTATIONS!!

Think THIS:

NOT THIS:

[bonniep 0]

Okay Indigo Girl -- I accept your offer to be your weight loss buddy. I'm having a REALLY hard time with the clear liquid diet. I'm using negative thinking and that's not a good thing and I usually don't do that to myself. Thank you thank you thank you for your encouraging and hopeful response. I need to hear that I will once again be able to eat normally. Still, this phase is sooo hard and I feel like I'm being sooo whiney about it.

I did 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday. I plan to do at least 20 minutes today. For me, exercise usually isn't a problem and if anyone here needs exercise motivation, I'm your girl. I'll trade eating motivation for exercise motivation -- how's that?

b.

[bonniep 0]

Hi Flashme5,

I was self-pay for my surgery and the reason I decided to get my surgery locally (I live in the northeast), is precisely because I wanted my surgeon and his staff to be local should something happen. If something goes wrong in the healing stage, my surgeon is a 20-minute drive away. It was worth the extra $$ to have that kind of peace of mind. While I'm sure Mexico docs are good and the facilities are clean, etc., what happens if something doesn't go quite right with healing or later on, when you need a fill? What if your port flips or something like that? I read a lot and did my homework and I ultimately decided that I wanted to be near home.

b.

[kirajh 0]

I have always said I wanted to eat my way across America - Clam Chowder Lobster - Crab - that's the stuff I would eat from your area :thumbup:..

HOW ABOUT MACKINAC ISLAND FUDGE from Michigan? Yeah!!!

[kirajh 0]

I will be a self pay and the thought of going to Mexico scares me to death. Anyone had that expereince and if so, what did you do for followup and fills? I am thinking of just going to a well known surgeon in the Salt Lake City area and paying the price. Any thoughts?

I couldn't wait for insurance approal and ended up going to Mexico. I refused to pay the US prices and jump thru all the hoops. I was leery, but did it anyway. It was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It has literally saved my life.

[bonniep 0]

Let's not go down that road. That's the old, broken road and now, we need to look at the beautiful new banded superhighway!

b.

[serenity seeker 0]

Hi There...can you tell me how much you've lost in the past year? I'm just beginning my process. I don't have a surgery date as yet but am anxious for one. Thanks

[IndioGirl55 32]

Hey girl you are looking good...I am going to have my band Feb 21..I am a little worried about the loose skin thing...but more concern with health in gen...ready to get started, i will soon be 54. need to loose 70... is their another site where our age hangs out for support??? elaine

Elaine

Thank you....

This is it for our age and then you should go to the Feb 2008 thread and join there too and you can always post on our lucky #7 thread - we have a really great group there - we are all very supportive and we have others there who were banded in diff months (Peaches - Phyl - Kirajh & I are all 7/07 banders)

I went shopping this weekend - size 12 & 10 pants - Xl & large tops - Skin OMG when did I get so old and OMG I WAS fat :eek: - but that's what they make clothes for - no one see me naked - so who cares - I feel 10 yrs younger - I have so much more energy.. I LOVE MY BAND - I LOVE ME FOR DOING THE WORK...

You only have 17 lbs to go????

That is freaking fantastic girl.... its the excersise for sure.. I am so proud of you!!!

Thanks Peaches - I FEEL GREAT !!!!

I am new to this forum but after recently having knee replacement surgery I found that these forums are life savers! Here is my question if anyone is interested in answering. I am seriously considering lapband surgery and have an appointment on Wednesday to have a upper GI series done to see if I am a candidate. The reason for the test? I had Gastric Surgery in 1980 (one of the first in the country) and that will complicate any attempt at the lapband. But the bottom line is that I am hoping I can have the surgery because I HAVE to do something. For the first time in my obese life I honestly feel that it is this or death.

Flashme - I see where others have responded that bypassers can have lapband - so I do hope it's an option for you - I have read great things about Mx Dr.s - And I totally get being afarid of death due to being obese. That is why I decided to get the band (never wanted bypass)

Yes you will lose weight if you make up your mind that this is not a diet - this is a LIFETIME LIFESTYLE change in your eating habits - You know the drill - I know the drill - but this is the `1st time in my life that I finally got it... I can't ever eat like I use to - that is why I was fat - I ate lots of foods that were high fat, loaded with sugar.

I now eat healthy 98% of the time - allow myself treats - exercise - and feel that I have been quite successful with my band (My doc say I am losing like a bypass Patient) But I am doing the work - I am almost 7 months out - I still keep a food diary - I count calories and Protein grams and follow a WW eating type plan - I have to have some starch in my diet I can't do Atkins and imho WW is a well balanced eating plan to follow -

I am the straight talker of the group (tough band love - with the operative word being love) I'm not going to coddle and pat you on your back and say it's going to be ok and that the band is your cure to your issues with food - cuz it's not - you gotta come to the understanding that only you can make this work - The band is only a tool - but if you choose to do the work - it will work for you.

Good Luck on your journey - we are here for you

Okay Indigo Girl -- I accept your offer to be your weight loss buddy. I'm having a REALLY hard time with the clear liquid diet. I'm using negative thinking and that's not a good thing and I usually don't do that to myself. Thank you thank you thank you for your encouraging and hopeful response. I need to hear that I will once again be able to eat normally. Still, this phase is sooo hard and I feel like I'm being sooo whiney about it.

I did 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday. I plan to do at least 20 minutes today. For me, exercise usually isn't a problem and if anyone here needs exercise motivation, I'm your girl. I'll trade eating motivation for exercise motivation -- how's that?

b.

Bonnie -Remember we are in the 50+ group so I forget how long you have to do the Clear Liquids - I am lucky that my doc had me on full liquids for 10 days and it included creamed Soups - but I am serious you can do this - It take work but it is doeable work - Please refresh my aging memory.

I have always said I wanted to eat my way across America - Clam Chowder Lobster - Crab - that's the stuff I would eat from your area ..

HOW ABOUT MACKINAC ISLAND FUDGE from Michigan? Yeah!!!

Kari - OK I will try a piece - I love fudge with walnuts..:thumbup:

Let's not go down that road. That's the old, broken road and now, we need to look at the beautiful new banded superhighway!

b.

Bonnie the beauty of the band is that we still can eat - it just that we have (or are) learning that you can't pig out every day and lose weight or maintain it but - if you are on vacation and want a piece of fudge you can have it - you gotta learn that if you have that fudge then you better increase your exercise and watch what you eat at your next meal.. We gotta learn these normal behaviors - and our band is that little tool to help us with this...

Hi There...can you tell me how much you've lost in the past year? I'm just beginning my process. I don't have a surgery date as yet but am anxious for one. Thanks

Serenity - Weight loss is diff for everyone - some of us can't exercise as much as others due to bad knees backs etc - you know stuff that happens to us over 50 people. It depends on your motabolism (sp) a lot of factors. Some have lost faster than others - but this is not a race - we don't compare the number of pounds that each of us have lost - we are all happy that each of us has lost 1 to 3 lbs that week and if they haven't lost we examine why. Some of us have gotten good restriction on our 1st fill others have had numberous fills and still don't have restriction.

You can read our tickers and see the amount of weight we have lost

Your weight loss and how fast it will be will depend on the work you do - the band is only a tool to control your portions the rest is up to you to eat healthy and exercise

Good Luck on your journey..

[C.N. 0]

Hi everybody,

Good to be back to the boards - had my first vacation and golf following banding. Phoenix was great - considering it is in the teens here.

I was concerned about how I was going to eat - we stayed with friends.I was especially concerned about going out to eat all the time.

But, did well. Thank God. I am down 40 lbs. I am boasting I know.

IndioGirl - your new picture looks fantastic. Congrats on your weight loss too.

I went through the posts pretty quick this am. The chocolate ones made me drool. I laughed when I saw the ALERT post about the Sunday paper.

You guys are great.

Everybody have a great day.

C.N.

[IndioGirl55 32]

Hi everybody,

Good to be back to the boards - had my first vacation and golf following banding. Phoenix was great - considering it is in the teens here.

I was concerned about how I was going to eat - we stayed with friends.I was especially concerned about going out to eat all the time.

But, did well. Thank God. I am down 40 lbs. I am boasting I know.

IndioGirl - your new picture looks fantastic. Congrats on your weight loss too.

I went through the posts pretty quick this am. The chocolate ones made me drool. I laughed when I saw the ALERT post about the Sunday paper.

You guys are great.

Everybody have a great day.

C.N.

CN

You can boast all you want:tongue: - Congrats on 40lbs gone - You have done the work and you should be proud of yourself:thumbup:

Thanks for the complement - I feel so much better I have so much more engery..

Todays challenge for everyone - Drink your water:tt2:

[chell1957 2]

If I may interrupt here....I am very interested in knowing how you handled eating out. This is an issue that concerns me once I have the procedure done. What did you eat? Thanks so much in advance for understanding my question.

[shortgal 5]

So far, I haven't eaten out much. Too much salt in restaurant food. But I have ordered fish once, but I would probably get fish or salad or Soup.< /p>

I've seen threads here mentioning eating out and some bandsters eat out often. They just take home 2/3 of the meal and have it next day for lunch. You generally figure out at home whihc foods your band tolerates and then order something similar if eating out.

But in my opinion, most home cooked food is healthier and easier to control portions.