over sixty seven

Hi Rose, Yes there are lots of us golden agers and we are all here to support you so welcome Post often so we get to know you.

Lee: Best of luck to you tomorrow for your surgery. Let us know when you're back on the computer, and let us know how it went.

I am 1 1/2 years out and happy as can be and at goal. I no longer need the two knees they were convinced I needed 1 1/2 years ago. It's amazing what losing weight can do for you. My exercise was limited to walking, and yet I lost. My recovery was as smooth as smooth could be, and actually propped up on pillows the first night home I slept in my own bed. I actually begged family to go home so I could be by myself and it was the most relaxing time I had...I had all my protein drinks and everything all ready for my recovery and actually did a lot of sitting in my chair with a heating pad and watching TV, and walking (although I had absolutely no gas) and I drank lots and lots of water. I've heard 20 year old's complain about the pain they went through, but most of us over 60 are tough old birds :) It seems to come with the territory. I was at Walmart 4 days later doing my walking and enjoying myself and only on Tylenol at that point...I hate those pain pills.

I can now walk for a couple miles at a time. I work out at home to a DVD by Leslie Sansone and have a huge ball that I work out with. I also joined Silver Sneakers through Humana (it's free) at the YMCA and I'm loving life. I get to work out there on low impact equipment and do water aerobics. It's been about 40 years since I've felt this good. I wish each and every one of you the success I've had.

I don't get to answer many questions about problems, because I didn't have them. I have been extremely lucky...I have never PB'ed or been stuck, and that in itself is a miracle. I eat everything, just in moderation. I see my dr. once a mo. whether I need to or not for him to take my BP (which is wonderful) and my weight and I continue to hold at my current weight of 155 lbs. I am 5'8" and don't remember when I weighed this little before. I wear a 10/12 and never thought I would see the day. I went into surgery wearing a 22/24 and 275 lbs. I huffed and I puffed and I didn't think I would make it another year honestly. Now, the world is at my feet :) For some people an RNY or DS might be the answer, but my dr. felt very strongly at my age and with health problems already an issue the band was the safe way to go. I've never looked back and I've never been sorry. I stay full for 4 hr. after eating and then just have a snack. My focus is never on food anymore and friends are amazed at the turnaround in me. I went from being a sort of recluse because of my limitations to being a social butterfly of sorts. Life is wonderful for me with the band and I wish the same for all of you in this magnificent journey...health and happiness to all of you.

Medicare made me stay 1 night in the hospital and I couldn't wait to be turned lose. I walked and walked in the hospital and could have come home the same day. A lot of people choose to have people stay with them at home, but my family was just a phone call away, and I enjoyed the time to myself. My pain was minimal, with the port pain being a pulling pain when I got up. My incisions healed beautifully. I so wish I had done this long ago, but it wasn't truly approved until 2001 in the U.S. I turn 66 in 2 weeks and I'm feeling 50 at the oldest...umm wait I felt 66 when I was 50 I do believe.

Take care to all of you and God Bless.
Skittles

Good to be able to read about others my age. I am 66 and had my surgery last week. I also had to have it done because I could not walk without a problem breathing, or stand without back pain. Want my husband & I to have some good years together and felt this was the way to go. Tried everything there is and it worked for about 25 pounds then I would gain it back plus more. My doctor was wonderful about getting this all started for me & no problems with Medicare. Hope you will allow me to join your group, I need the support as well.
Sue

Skittles - Thanks for you wonderful letter! How encouraging for all of us! Joyce

Skittles: What a wonderfully positive experience you have had. I think there may be something to us all being tough old birds. I had a miniscus repair on one knee, laproscopy, and walked out of the surgery, no pain, no crutches, no nothing. I hope this will hold true after my surgery in 2 weeks. Your story shows us all that is it possible to get thru this journey with minimal problems. Thanks again for your positive post.

First of all thank to all of you who share and give all of us true hope.
I had my final pre-op visit with the doctor today and every thing looks good to go on the 3st. Skittles,you have really made me feellike this a doable trip. Like you I wanted some quality time in the years to come.
I am sovery glad to have all you with me on this journey.

Hi Thor, I had my surgery on the 16th of this month. I also was antisipating the worst. Well, it couldn't have went better. The gas aftewards wasn't nothing like I thought, I never needed even a pain pill. Two days later, I drove home from the hospital a couple hundred miles. I don't think you have anything to worry about. My son also had it the same day I did. He happened to have a hernia operation at the same time, so he had a little pain from that. They kept him one day longer than me, so I waited at the International building for him to be released. He also is doing fine. If it wasn't for the hernia, he had no pain from the lap band surgery either. Best of luck to you. Rose

Rose,
So glad tohear allwent well with your surgery. I gues us "Old Birds" are tougher then they think! Keep us updated. Again Congratulations on your new Birthday. Karen

Well, it's over! The surgery went very well, Monday with Dr. Curry in Cincinnati. Had to stay over night so that Medicare would pay. Now, on Tuesday, I'm home sitting in my easy chair watching Oprah sipping on some weakened juice, and writing to all of you. I'm feeling fine, although I rise from my chair a bit gingerly because there is a slight pulling at the port site. While in the recovery room I experienced quite a lot of shoulder pain so was given one dose of pain killer. After that, I had no shoulder pain at all and no gas pain of any kind. Made the four hour drive home (husband drove of course) and now begin my journey WITH a lap band. Thanks for your good wishes and now I wish all of you who are soon to get the lap band my best wishes for an excellent outcome and speedy recovery.
Lee

Congratulations on your surgery and feeling so good. That is exactly how I felt :) I was sitting in my recliner the next day watching TV, dosing off and on, and feeling only stretching pain at the port site. We really are tough birds for sure. It seems the older gang seems to get on lots better than the younger people who have maybe never had any surgery before. I'm so happy you are doing well, and wish you continued success. Welcome to the loser's bench :)
Skittles

Hi Lee, glad to hear all went well with you. Mine went pretty good too except I seem to be experiencing more pain than other folks. I have a hernia problem and they did not fix that yet. Want me to wait till I lose some weight. I have that pulling pain on the port site and pain in my chest like heart burn. Also had some in my shoulder. Good to hear am not the only one. Kind of scarey, but like the others said I have to shape up and show those young kids us old birds are tough. Does anyone have a problem with hunger? My stomach is groweling and telling me to eat. I am being good but surprised at the feeling.
Sue

I am so happy for all of you, I am so thrilled to hear you all went through it so well. I hope your families are as PROUD of you as we all are.
PLEASE take care and Keep us updated.
Group Hug

So glad "we" did well on your surgeries. I have 13 days to go till mine. Hope I do as well.

Hi Skittles.

I'm 60, getting banded on 2/4. I'm on the liquid phase and believe it or not, SlimFast is tasting pretty good now. I used to think that I was too old to have the surgery, but now if I get healthy and my lifespan age increases, then I have quite a few more years -- so I'm doing it now instead of thinking about it as I did for the last 2 years.

I too am 5'8" and USED TO weigh 160 (about 20 years ago). That is a great weight for our height. I hope I can just make it to 199!

Continued happiness to you with your band. You've inspired me.

beachgal