Newbie to the 60+ group

[KarenIn 2]

Hi plevy, and all the 60+ bandster

My surgery is Monday, August 4th, in Merrillville, IN at Methodist Hospital. I really feel that I am ready for this even though I had some second thoughts a while ago. :thumbup:

[plevy 0]

I know what you mean about second thoughts. I felt I was more than ready and the night before I had anxious moments about was this right for me. Now I know I did the right thing. Even losing a small amout of the weight I have to loose, I feel better. Chin up--Take it a day at a time. That's my motto now. Keep in touch. If you have any questions etc: I'll try to help with what I have experienced.....

[Doddie63 6]

Some lose no hair others a bit initially. The diet you will be on is high in Protein which is associated with healthy hair. Gastric by-pass patients do lose hair but it grow back in time.

I personally did not lose hair, all I have lost is weight Woooooo Woooooo! Good luck on your research.

[TravelLady48 0]

Hi everyone I just turned 60 this week and happy to see so many people on this forum.

I don't have any grandchildren yet, but I really hope if I have this surgery I will be around when my son (age 27 and engaged) gets married and starts a family. (he says in the next 2 years). I do have diabetes, HBP, sleep apnea and severe arthritis in one knee, I'm hoping that this surgery will help with all these medical problems and I can get off so much medication. :cool2:

I am already retired, after working for years with a major airline, but because of my weight and size I have not been very comfortable flying. I do love cruising.

I have been researching WLS for a couple of years and have only now decided on LapBanding. I had a surgery date set for 6/12/08 but cancelled because by the time I had finished all my pre-op test etc, my surgeon was no longer in network with my insurance. I also did not feel very well informed by his group about the procedure. I'm now waiting for another date, I think he is punishing me because of the cancellation so I am looking for another surgeon.:thumbup:

[suzpat 0]

Good luck on the surgery. Let us all know how it goes for you. I am waiting for a date on my lap band and have so many doubts right now. Just afraid of the unknown. The surgery doesn't bother me, its the knew lifestyle that I have a problem with.

[suzpat 0]

Wecome to this great site! Now lets hope you don't talk yourself out of it by the time they give you a date. LOL Its so good to talk to people in their 60's that are having the surgery. I am 60 as of last April. Thats a hard number to say.

[awella 0]

Yay !!!! I found some friends my own age!

I'm just begining the "search" . I'm 62 and I too am a grandma (of 15!) and a great grandma (of 2) and I sure want to see them all grown up. That'a why I need to do this. It sure is scary though.

Looking forward to cheering you all on!

Ada

Florida

[plevy 0]

Hi there---

I am 6 weeks out from surgery and so far do not regret one minute. It took about four weeks before I felt like I could do anything after surgery, but now I'm in pretty good shape. The main thing to remember is like I was told--Give yourself time to heal after the surgery--Good luck to all of you. If you post any questions, I'll try to answer from my experience so far, but each person is different. Have patience and follow the doctors orders. I'll be waiting to hear from you all either before or after surgery.:biggrin:

[Doddie63 6]

welcome awella: I am 65, have the band for over a year now and I wouldn't trade it for any reason. I keep a loose fill 5.75ccs in a 10cc band and I can eat anything I wish. I track my daily intake and any type of exercise. My weekly saving of calories average out to 1500 a week, giving me a 2 lb loss per month. Small but it adds up and I like the freedom of not being on a diet. I just can't eat huge amounts anymore. Can't recommend the band highly enough, especially knowing it is reversible if I decide I don't want the healthy lifestyle any more. LOL

Edited August 29, 2008 by Doddie63
dropped a number

[Georgia Peachy 0]

Hey y'all...

I'm new to the group too and just turned 60. I had my band installed 8/11/08 at Emory Johns Creek Hospital in suburban north Atlanta. That hospital out-patient procedure was a really fabulous experience. I guess I was overly optimistic, but I was thinking that I could be at work within a few days. Wrong! It took two weeks before I felt perfect, and I started back to work with a 45 min. commute each way this week.

At two weeks out I'm supposed to be in the 3 small (3/4 C. max) soft meals (cooked veggies, scrambled eggs, yogurt, Soup, cottage cheese) a day, no Snacks, but I am so, so hungry, especially when I get home from work...I just want to start chewing my arm or pop some microwave popcorn! (I'll bet that popcorn idea is a big no-no!) But that teeny serving of veggies and cottage cheese just doesn't cut it and I'm still ravenous!

Has anyone had this problem? I really have no idea what the function of the band is at this point in the procedure, but I'm not scheduled for the first tightening for 3 more weeks.

Thanks in advance for any tips or hints! Georgia Peachy

[Georgia Peachy 0]

Hi everyone I just turned 60 this week and happy to see so many people on this forum.

I don't have any grandchildren yet, but I really hope if I have this surgery I will be around when my son (age 27 and engaged) gets married and starts a family. (he says in the next 2 years). I do have diabetes, HBP, sleep apnea and severe arthritis in one knee, I'm hoping that this surgery will help with all these medical problems and I can get off so much medication. :biggrin:

I am already retired, after working for years with a major airline, but because of my weight and size I have not been very comfortable flying. I do love cruising.

I have been researching WLS for a couple of years and have only now decided on LapBanding. I had a surgery date set for 6/12/08 but cancelled because by the time I had finished all my pre-op test etc, my surgeon was no longer in network with my insurance. I also did not feel very well informed by his group about the procedure. I'm now waiting for another date, I think he is punishing me because of the cancellation so I am looking for another surgeon.:cursing:

Travel Lady, if you have any questions about your surgeon, keep looking. Though I loved my hospital, the two surgeons and their practice leave SO much to be desired, and I wish I had explored other options, but after you jump through a million hoops, it seems overwhelming to start over. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Georgia Peachy

[sunshine531 0]

As you will notice by the replys on here you will hear over and over how different the doctors are. I was put on Clear Liquids for 1 wk, then, creamed liquids for 2 wks, pureed for 2 wks then soft foods for the next 2. After that regular diet. The purpose of the liquid diet and soft diet is to give your stomach a chance to heal, and the swelling to go down. This gives the band the chance to bond or scar tissue to hold band in place. If you start eating normal diet or to large amts, the band may slip or you could stretch the small pouch which is now your "new" stomach. My dr never told me how much to eat after surgery. He said it was a time for healing, not losing, even tho you do lose some. You will be in what we call "Bandsters Hell" until you start getting your fills. But, be patient, drink that Protein and try some creamed Soups, cream of wheat with lots of milk, and you will be fine. I don't pretend to know it all, but I have asked the same questions as you and these folks on here are always willing to help. Good luck and keep us posted on how your doing.

Linda

[TravelLady48 0]

Hi Georgia Peachy:

I was very upset with my surgeon, because he had turned me out on my own with no advise, so I started looking for another surgeon. I did find another dr in he next town, but he refused give me the band because my BMI is over 50. I even considered going to Atlanta, Ga to Emory. I worked there for 3 years and I know that facility. I could stay with my brother for a while.

Finally yesterday my original doctor contacted to see how I was doing with my weight loss and stabilizing my BP. Eventhough, I have only lost 10 lbs (he wanted me to lose 25) he gave me a surgery date of Oct 13. I am jumping for joy. He has decided that I am committed.:cursing:

I will continue trying to lose more weight so I won't have any problems. It truly is easier to stick with the original surgeon, because I didn't want to have to go through any additional test.:biggrin:

[KarenIn 2]

Ada Welcome!!! You have found a good place for support. I am 61 and was banded Aug. 4th. I had second thoughts before the surgery, but am vey glad that I did it. I lost about 45 pounds on the pre surgery diet (low carb) and the rest since. I think we grandma's generally do well sticking to the rules, as long as we take it slow.

[Georgia Peachy 0]

Linda/Sunshine...wow! Thank you for so much good advice. I hope I haven't already made the band slip or interfered with the scar tissue formation. But you've given me such great suggestions for food. I will make better choices today and keep the volume down.

Emory Johns Creek has a monthly support group which I missed this week, but I'm going to make a concerted effort to get there in the future. Getting information from people who have actually been there is so valuable and your posting gaives me renewed hope.

Thank you Linda! Georgia Peachy