Newbie with questions

Hello,
I am a newbie who has been lurking around.   I am trying out different sites.   Last October I took a flight to CA and could not buckle the seat belt.   You would think a person who has a bmi fo 46 would see how weight might cause problems in ones life but the others came gradually, this one was like BAM-YOU GOT  A WEIGHT PROBLEM.   My past weight loss was done with diet pills and exercise.   I began my exploration of WLS with the goal of a lap band but learned from this site to research.  I am weighing the pros and cons.  I have appreciated the direct responses and information provided.   I am ready to ask some questions in my quest to determine the best support for a lifestyle change.   I began this 6 month preop journey with the goal of a lapband.  After researching varies methods here are my current concerns. 
Am I too old?  I am 54 almost 55 by the time of potential surgery. 
I have heard recommendations from lapbanders to eating slowly.  I know my one bad habit is that  I eat too fast. I  choked on food at least three times in my life.  Scary.   I keep this in mind so that I am aware of my eating.  I will talk to my the nurse practitioner/nutritionist about this when I go this month.    Although I haven't been to him yet I know my surgeon does like lapbands because of the 5 year post op weight loss rates. 
Vicky

I am fairly new to the lapband (week 6+). With the bit of restriction I have now, I can tell you the lap band will let you know when you eat too fast. I have had a couple experiences where I felt like my food was in my throat (it wasn't) and walking help to settle things down. You also really do need to chew (even hard boiled eggs) really well or you will feel full. Their advice to take a small bite, put down your fork, chew 20-30 times...is spot on. Good luck with your decision and journey.

Your not too old to get to a healthy weight! I am 57 and almost 7 months out from getting the lap band. I love my band! I am down a little over 50 pounds.
I too was a fast eater but have slowed down somewhat.. when I do eat too fast it tells me to slow down! I have not had a stuck episode yet so I must be slowing when I need to.
I have learned to chew chew chew and more thoughtful on my choices.
The band was my choice as I just didn't want  disconnected and reconnected organs. Your doing the right thing, just keep reading but keep in mind not all have had success with their bands. I pick and choose whose posts I read. Good luck on your journey I wish you well!

 No, you are not too old.  I know bandsters in their early 60s.  Research your options and do what's right for YOU. :)

I too am a newbie, two weeks post op. I did like you and watched the site, asked questions, but also went to some classes prior to surgery that really helped with how to eat. You also need to meet some people in person who have had the procedure, not only Lap Band but the other choices. That really helped me to make my decision because of their personal experiences.

Good luck with your choice. I am happy so far, eating soft foods now and have not had an appetite yet.

And, I can't wait to get on an airplane the end of March and see if I can do it without a seatbelt extension!

Thank you!

I was banded in June. You aren't to old! Just make sure you research each surgery and decide what is best for you. If you decide to go with a surgery that your surgeon doesn't do find a new surgeon.

My own experience: I have been banded for 8 months and I have lost 46 pounds since my pre-op diet and 54 pounds from my highest weight. I am still not sure I would do it again because I had trouble after my third fill that caused me to be in pain for about two months even though I had a partial unfill. I didn't lose weight from nov til now but I am losing again:) I am hoping that now I am in a good spot.

Good luck with your decision.

Welcome, Vicky!

You're not too old for weight loss surgery. I was 54 when I had mine, and I know plenty of other WLS patients in their 50's and 60's. Sometimes I feel ancient, but I'm very glad I had surgery and lost that excess weight in time to really enjoy the next 30-40 years of my life!

You MUST learn to eat slowly if you have band surgery (the same goes for gasric bypass). Eating slowly prevents side effects and increases satiety. If you eat too quickly, take big bites, and don't chew very well, you will cause yourself some painful and embarrassing side effects like regurgitating the food you just ate or getting stuck on it.

Good luck!

Jean

I had just turned 60 when I had my lapband. Though I am really a slow loser, I feel better than I have in a long, long time.  I have lost about 48 lbs. and I exercise 3 to 6 times a week.  I can get up and down so much more easily than I could 48 lbs. ago. Now I'm no veteran,  because I'm just a little over a year out, but so far there have only been positive changes in my life because of my lapband.  Now I'm a realist, and understand that there can be problems with any WLS.  Also, because I'm self pay, I'm so hoping for no problems.  But I have come to the realization that I would never have lost any weight if not for my lapband.  I'm very happy so far, and hope it stays that way.  Good luck with your decision.  Research, research, research!

I am in the 6th month of my insurance mandated doctor assisted diet. I have been on many types of diets in my life and lost weight on all of them, but cannot keep it off or couldn't lose enough to help my co-morbidities. I , too , have been researching all types of WLS and yes I am concerned about the problems each one of them presents.I have talked to friends who have had the lapband for over a year now and they are happy with it. I also talked to a friend who had gastric bypass and she is happy with her choice, so I think that it is up to the individual to decide what is in their best interests. I am not thrilled that this is becoming a reality for me, I wish that I could lose and keep it off without WLS and I have given myself a time frame to accomplish a small weight loss to see if I can keep it off. I am on a low carb diet for my diabetes and I walk a minimum of 1.5 miles a day on the treadmill and am working with resistance bands. The execise is ok, not having to force myself. The diet is ok, and I quit drinking soda. Jus****er with crystal lite and coffee. Surprised that I am not losing as much as I thought I would, with cutting out so much food.
Good luck with your research.