Question:
What are the risks involved in lapband for my age 56?
— Toby2 (posted on April 29, 2008)
April 29, 2008
Lapband is the least invasive of the 3 main surgeries, but it is also the
one not to work as well. A lot of people have failure with the band. It may
erode inside of you, cause problems with you stomach, or just not work. I
am going to be 57 in a month and I am checking out the duodenal switch
surgery. Some rules to follow, but it seems to work the best from what I
have read on the DS forum or check duodenalswitch.com
— KRWaters
April 29, 2008
I just had my lapband surgery 4-9-08 and I feel great, and Im 56. As long
as your Dr. approves for you to have the surgery he knows what risk there
is, but any surgery is a risk. I didnt have any problems whats so ever.
I have lost 16lbs so far. I only stayed in the hospital over nite. So
the only risk I saw for me after I got home was keeping my incisions clean.
As far as any major risk is slippage of the band or it might leak. But
now they are using the newer band called realizedband . Go to their site
and check it out. www.realizedband.com
Good Luck
— moosey52
April 29, 2008
I am 59 and I had the Lap Band 4-16-08 and I have not had any problems at
all. I had the surgery around 10:30a.m. and was released by 4:00P.M. and I
never took any pain medicine. I have heart problems, diabetes, high blood
pressure, sleep apnea, and degenerate joint disease. I have lost 10 pounds
so far. It is a slower pace for losing weight but the safest for me. Good
Luck.
— dyates2948
April 29, 2008
I am 59 and I had the Lap Band 4-16-08 and I have not had any problems at
all. I had the surgery around 10:30a.m. and was released by 4:00P.M. and I
never took any pain medicine. I have heart problems, diabetes, high blood
pressure, sleep apnea, and degenerate joint disease. I have lost 10 pounds
so far. It is a slower pace for losing weight but the safest for me. Good
Luck.
— dyates2948
April 29, 2008
Surgery is risky at any age, but, the different to me having a RNY at 62,
is that I can live to be 80 now rather than death at 65. I had diabities,
Type II, High Blood Pressure, and high Colestroal. Gastric Bypass
reconects the thirst part of the small intestine that absorbs all the fat
and sugar to the last third of the small intestine, so stomach acid goes
there for digestion, but food no longer passes through it. THis usually
cures type II diabities, as it did in me, after 25 year! I also no longer
have high blood pressure or colesteral. I took 19 drugs a day, and now I
just take one drug for Thyroid. Go to a support group and ask about what
they had and why. RNY Gastric Bypass is more than a tool for weight loss,
it is a cure for many illnesses that you may have. If you don't have
doiabities, then a Lab Band is fine if you disipline yourself to go for
fills and can stick to a diet and excersize. I lost nearly 100 lbs in 5
months and never felt better. I got 70 more to loose, but it will be off
by chirstmas, just one year from start to finish. When you got the the
support group, the people with the smiles on their face are the ones that
hard RNY gastric Bypass. As to having surgery, regardless of what you
choose, take off at least 10 pounds just before surgery to allow your liver
to lose its fat as that will make the surgery much easier as the liver sits
over your stomach and that is where they have to get to for RNY or Lap
Band. Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 29, 2008
As far as your risk for surgery goes, your surgeon and anesthesiologist
will decide that for you. I guess it also depends on how many co-morbids
you have along with your obesity. I think it is more risky to remain
obese.
I had LapBand surgery as it was my choice and is the only WLS my surgeon
does these days. I am getting a little frustrated with some authors on
this site claiming that LapBand patients aren't as successful as those who
have had other WLS. This has not been my experience at all. As a matter
of fact, I find it is the exception, rather than the rule.
Gather all the facts and make the decision that is the right one for you.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
April 29, 2008
I agre with Dawn. Studies show that in the long run banding is as succesful
or more so (5-10 yrs). The weight loss is slower, but in the end just as
much. As with any gastric surgery, different people handle things different
ways making a difference in the success.
A decision on which to have can only be made by you & the surgeon you
choose, so be sure it is a surgeon that talks with you, not at you. And
will discuss each surgery openly.
Each surgery has it's own post op rules, be honst about which ons you can
follow for the best results.
I had lap band 1 yr ago (4/19/07) and have lost 75 lbs so far. I continue
to lose at a safe healthy rate of 1-2 lbs a week.
Best of luck, do your research and you will know the best answer for you,
Donna Oland, RN, BHS
— Donna O.
April 30, 2008
I am 54 years old and had lap band surgery on 9/25/07 and have lost 55 lbs.
It has been great for me, no problems went home the same day of surgery.
Seems like people give it a bad rap but it worked for me, wouldn't have it
any other way. Good luck in what ever you decide. Hope I helped!
— ohen50
April 30, 2008
I am 60 and had lap band 6 wks. ago. I just wish I had done it sooner. I
realize this is a slower method for loosing weight, but I was unwilling to
do the more drastic version of gastric bypass. I knew of several people
who have had very unpleasant problems with that. This will be a slow but
steady loss if you follow the steps that are explained to you at the
beginning. I have lost 24 lbs. to date and counting. Love it.
Carol
— cyjthomas
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