I think I'm in the right place now over 50 I'm 58
First off I want to tell you how beautiful you look, I checked out your profile and was brought to tears. You waited and waited and finally it happened. I am so happy for you. You have turned into a new woman. Its wonderful and uplifting for me. I see hope at the end of this tunnel. Keep up the great work I know I don't know you but I am sure proud of you!
Gail :o)
I am also kind of new. I was banded on August 12. So far I have had no proplems with the band. I would do it over in a skinny minute! I have not had a fill yet but am scheduled to go back on Oct 14th. At frist I felt some restriction, but after the healing none. What that means is that i can eat more that I should (and occasionaly do) and I don't say full long enough. At first I stayed full for anywhere from 4-6 hours. Now about 1-2 hours after I eat I am hungary again. Not good. The fill should take care of that problem.
I researched for about 3 years before deciding that I was going to do this. There was something about the RNY that just plain scares me. LapBand was the best choice for me. I am very comfortable with my decision.
I hope this will help you to make the choice that is best for you. Good Luck and hope to see you on the boards.
I had RNY after 3 years of researching. Once I made the decision I felt a sense of relief and knew it was the right choice FOR ME.
The thought of the port and needed fills scared me the most. Since then, I have gone with 2 people in the support group when they had their fills. They didn't even flinch and insisted it doesn't hurt. Honest - they didn't blink an eye while I sat there having the heebie jeebies. Oh yes, RNY was best for ME.
Go to support groups and ask questions. Lots of questions. None are too small or silly.
I lead two support groups - one for lap-band, the other RNY. People come to the groups with one procedure or the other in mind; sometimes they just can't decide right away. After asking questions, examining their life-style, and some good old fashioned soul searching, they make the BIG selection. In two years not one person has regretted their personal choice.
Nice to meet you too.
Annette
Annette 
Welcome to the best group on obesityhelp.com!!!! I am having RNY the day after tomorrow and I have not read what others have posted. I picked RNY because I felt that it was better suited to me since I'm diabetic. I've been told that this surgery should put my diabetes into remission and that's what I'm going for. Good luck and best wishes on your journey. So far it's been a wild ride so far for me and I hear it's only going to get better. Come back for support and keep us posted on your progress.
Hi Gail!
Welcome to the forum. I think you will really enjoy your time here, as everyone is so friendly and kind, and quick to offer support, love and advice when you need it. I am proof...They gave all that and more to me in droves this past week while I was ramping up to have my surgery on Fri. So now I am home and recovering.
I chose to have the Lap Band. I had looked into RNY about 3 yrs ago, and decided at that point, WLS was not for me, but once I found the band, I knew I had found what I was looking for. I am diabetic on oral meds, have high BP, also treated with meds and high Cholesterol which is well controlled too, but with meds. I have a 12 yr old son and wanted to be here for him, so hence I proceeded with plans for surgery.
My doc requires attending an information seminar prior to making the first appt, so my husband and I attended together on Valentine's Day. We both went in there with an interest in me having the band, and we left feeling the same way. I know plenty of people who attended that meeting that night in the same mindset, only to walk out of there wanting RNY. As has been said here, it is truly a personal decison. For me, I don't see a difference between having a band inside vs a row of staples as being something foreign and cause for the concenrn. If I needed a pin in my hip or a pacemaker, those would be just as foreign and I would get them if needed. So that issue never concerned me. I just felt there were aspects of the malabsorption that I didn't want as I got older. But again, each person needs to decide for themselves.
As I think Jean mentioned, I am also a volume eater. I have tried, over the years to become a healthier person by making many changes to the things I eat...and I exercise every day...have for years, so I felt that if I could just cut back on the amount that I eat, I would be able to lose the weight and keep it off. Don't get me wrong, I like something "bad" now and then, but it is not the norm for me, and I can do without...but when I sit down to a meal, I just don't stop eating until I am way beyond full. This will be the new challenge for me, which I hope the band will help me conquer. I am new to this, so it remains to be seen , but I have a lot of trust that I can do it.
Take the time to ask all the questions, read all the info you can find, and discuss things with your doc. My doc was great, and in the end, he left the choice to me as it is my choice and my body. Find out everything you can, and look into your heart. You will know the answer for yourself when the time comes to decide. Good luck!!
Cara
Cara
When you get older, you realize it's a lot less about your place in the world but your place in you. It's not how everyone views you, but how you view yourself. - Natalie Portman
Welcome to the "Over 50" blog! I'm 54 and had my surgery last December. When I was deciding on which surgery I relied heavily on my surgeon's expertise. My first choice was the Vertical Gastrectomy, but my insurance would not cover that procedure. After listening carefully to my surgeon and others here I decided on RNY as my second choice. I think I could have been sucessful with the Lapband too, but I was starting out at 330 pounds and almost diabetic, so I went with the RNY because it would work quickly. There are pros and cons no matter what you decide, so just hang around, talk to your surgeon, and come to a decision slowly. It takes a while to get everything done before surgery anyway. We have members here that have done all of the different surgeries, so you can learn about each. It's very nice to meet you!
Julia
Thank you for replying, and it is very nice to meet you also. Right now I am working on which surgery, I have HBP,HC, bad back and my knees have some arthritis in them. Seems like when I hear about lapband, people tend to eat more than they should and I am afraid of that, and seems to me that RNY is for people who need that "don't eat that or you will get sick" and that seems to keep some on tract. Oh boy its confusing I am definately a junk food junkie and and fried foods and just plain stuff that is no good for you. I have time before a decision is to be made and I am sure that this board and my doctor will lead me to the right decision. What exactly can you eat on RNY? And are you full longer than the lapband? Boy I know this sounds silly but I sure wish I could try them out first haha. Any help with the surgery you had would be appreciated.
Gail :o)
