Well, you are doing VERY well with the Band. I hope you're one of the lucky ones and continue to do well with it.

Let me know how the knee replacements do. For some reason I'm scared to have them done. I never hesitated about having my guts sliced and diced, but cutting through bone---it gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but at 450 pounds most surgeons are not going to want to do knee replacements. I was told I needed both of mine done, but that at 395 they most likely would NOT be successful.

I then had my DS done---seven years ago---and have lost a lot of weight. I still haven't replaced my knees, because now I can manage, and I want to wait as long as popssible since I'm only 52 years old.

I'm curious why you chose the Band at such a high weight. Did you research the DS at all? It's been shown to give the very BEST long-term, maintained weight loss, especially for those of us with a starting BMI greater than 50. The Band, on the other hand, has the LEAST good long-term results.

Hi V -

Thanks for the nice compliment. My desire to have back-to-back surgeries (RNY and 6 months later hip replacement) was not for vanity purposes but I stayed very focused on concrete goals:

1) hike again
2) boogie board again
3) sit on the floor and play with my grandchildren again

In order to qualify for RNY I had to gain 25 pounds (to reach 40 BMI) since my arthritis didn't qualify as a co-morbidity. Yikes, I had already gained 25 pounds when I could no longer walk. It was a grueling process and I wasn't sure if my plan would actually succeed.

Today, I've received much more than I originally hoped for. My marriage is stronger than ever, my spouse always beside me to support me along my journey. In less than 2 weeks I'm leaving for a 2-week vacation with my mom/siblings to Italy and cruise the Mediterranean where I will celebrate my 59 birthday.

When I was morbidly obese and couldn't walk, I struggled just to get myself to work every day.

About a month after my hip replacement (while I was still on disability)my husband and I went to see a matinee at the local theater. We arrived early (after my P.T.) and it was a cool, cloudy day. I wanted a cup of coffee to warm me but the only coffee in the movie theater was flavored, so I went out of the theater to a Border's Book store about 1 block away. When I was walking back with my coffee in my hand I was absolutely amazed with myself. Before my hip replacement I struggled when I needed to go from one room to the next just to use the bathroom; but here I was walking 2 blocks to get a cup of coffee! Thanks to medical surgeons and my 2 surgeries I had lost 100 lbs. and was without pain. I asked myself if I could only have 1 of these surgeries, which one would it be??? My answer, without question, was the hip replacement.

You will soon feel more fantastic than you thought possible. I'm with you to support you all the way. If you'd like to send me your private email and we can write, please do so through my profile.

All the best to you on this amazing journey!

Kathie

I agree with the other lady! Now the question is who is your surgeon? I loved my Dr. Dr. ALanis. The messed up part is hte hospitals he uses are FAR away, but its only for a few days. What are your other options??

Having total hip replacement October 15th.. Could hardly walk at all, so I've decided on the surgery. Not being able to get around and exercise...I gained about 80 pounds...slowly, but steadily. I'm hoping being able to walk again, I will be able to start losing again. Dr. says I need both hips replaced. Would appreciate good thoughts and prayers.
I haven't been on in a very long time, but always keep the site and it's community in my thoughts and prayers. My best to everyone.
V