I'm 62 & going to have Lap-Band WLS.

Great! Thanks for replying. You are doing great. I hope for a slow and controlled weight loss. I started to do the RNY about six years ago but my wife we diagnosed with cancer and my efforts and attention needed to be with her and her fight for her life. Now that went well and she is cancer free, so we agree it's my turn. So, the Lap-Band is now my choice, for the same reasons you gave. Thanks for the info.

Welcome Jerry,
I had RNY 2 1/2 years ago at age 59. My age was not the factor for getting approved, it was my considerable high weight and BMI. (320 pounds on a 5'2" frame) With the help of my dietitian, following her diet & exercise plan, I lost the needed weight and was given approval. Life is fantastic at 113 pounds.

Before long, you will feel like a new man. Good luck

Annette

WOW! If I did my math right, you've lost 207 pounds. That's incredible!!! What a feat. You are truly amazing. I went to your oh post and the pictures are great. You look wonderful, but most of all, you look so happy. Congratulations! 

I got my lap band at 59, I'm now 61.  I have lost 97 pounds.  My BMI was 47, but no co-morbidities, so insurance wouldn't pay.

My DH is 68 and just got his band 10 days ago.  His BMI was 45 and he had ALL the co-morbidities, so Medicare and TriCare For Life are paying for his.  He had a little trouble finding a surgeon who would take a patient over 65, and did the surgery at a COE as required by Medicare, though.

I'm so glad to see that there are other people over 60 getting banded or have recently been banded. I was beginning to feel that I was an exception to the age rule. None of the doctors or nuts have indicated any age problem with me being banded, I just looked around and felt all alone, the "old fart" of the group. Funny I do not and have never felt old. I'm very active and always have been. I've just always been big.

I'm doing this for a couple of reasons. First, because I've always been the "fat kid". I'm tired of that. I've between 300 and 310 pounds for about 25 or 30 years.

Secondly, co-morbidities. I've got high blood pressure (at least 35 years of it), type two diabetic (7 years), sleep apnea (won't sleep hooked to a machine - no way!), and many more. I could go on and on. But overall I'm still considered generally healthy as a horse. I do a lot of walking, swimming, hiking. Can't seem to sit still, have always had what my grandmother called "ants in my pants". Time for a change. 

I had Lapband surgery Dec 12 08 and I'm sixty.  I was denied for another reason - their mistake - I appealed and was approved within five days of denial.  Have lost 31 pounds and am happy with the loss.  I chose the lapband because it is much safer than gastric bypass, altho I was probably a better candidate for the latter since I have so much weight to lose.

As long as  you know that this is a slower process than gastric, and that the band is just a tool for weight  loss and that it will take an average of  three or four tightenings "fills" of the band to make it work properly, you're good to go. 

Check out the regular lapband forum on OH where there are only banders with band problems.  - It is a wonderful wonderful site.  I dont know what I would have done without it - I wasn't aware
that there would have to be any adjustments after surgery.  They were very supportive and had
lots of info.

Of course, the people on this fifty plus site can't be beat for support and kindness.

Good luck,

Katherine B

Thanks for the reply. You are doing exactly like I want to do. Loosing slowly. The one thing I have learned over the years is a small amount of patience. I found that things that happen easily and quickly never seem to last, they were too easy to accomplish. Slow, steady, and determined seems to last. That is what I'm looking for. There has not been a male on my father's side of the family to live past 65. I plan on being the first.

Good for you, Jerry.  I'm doing this for that reason also - I want to live to be healthy and live to be 80 (the new 65?), something not accomplished by my parents. 

It is also time to be thinking more about ourselves and what we want and need, having put everyone else first for many moons.  

The second and third reasons are enjoying future grandchildren and looking great by this time next year. 

Take care,

Katherine B

Jerry,

I was (and still am) 62 when I had my lap band installed.  I did fine, except for the hematoma because I was taking too many blood thinners before the surgery.  Stopped them one week in advance, but that was apparently not enough.

Major problem for me has been chaning old habbits.  We've had more years to get into bad habbits, or so it seems to me.  It's been slow, but I'm doing ok.  Did the six month program at Lehigh Valley Hospital and got approved relatively quickly after a few additionalt tests.

Henry

hi Jerry.   I am 68 and had surgery 3 months ago.  No insurance problems that I know of - - - yet - - - .   I had the lapband and it has been great.  Lots of old habits to break but I have lost 55 lbs so far and am newver hungrey.

Good luck

Bette M