[smartwoman]

I am considering gastric bypass surgery and have had a consultation with a surgeon who has told me that I am a viable candidate. I currently weight 248 lbs and my 'ideal' weight is about 140 to 145 (I'm 5' 51/2").

However, I'm 62 years old and would like to know how age is a factor in this surgery. Does being older play a role in recovery? How long is the recovery to the point when I can resume a normal life - work, travel, etc. If I lose 100 lbs, how will my skin look? Will my "apron" (that front layer of fat on my abdomen) shrink?

And how will food taste post surgery? Will I eventually be able to eat the same foods I eat now - just smaller amounts (I do mean healthy foods - salads, vegetables, meats)? Will I ever be able to have a small amount of dessert at the end of a meal?

Any help would be appreciated. I want to be sure that I am making the right decision.

-lynn

[ChuppyGirl]

Lynn first of all I'd love to welcome you on the board ((HUGS))

second of all let me introduce myself to you, my name is Hanadi I'm 36 from Kuwait. I have lived my entire life obese!! I reached at one point of my life 160kgs (353lbs). Did all sort of diets Atkins, Low fat, low calorie, Hollywood, bla bla bla diets! reduced big chunck and then added them all over again

at 1997 I did lipo-suction, the surgeon was a big fat thief! took my money and results were no satisfactory!

at 2000 I did gastric banding! worked for a while and lost around 66 lbs, got married and then gradually gained them all and more!

after giving birth to my second I went into a very deep depression that I had suicidal thoughts, and I don't deserve to live so I seriously wanted to do something about my weight! I had to find this lovely forum which helped me to make up my decision.

4/18/2006 I did the gastric by pass! I did it open because I did 3 procedures in one! 1) removed my gallbladder (had 9 stones), 2) removed the old band, 3) did the bypass.

Today I'm 130lbs less! I started with 335lbs and now I am 205 lbs!! last time I weighed this weight when I was 13-14 yrs old!

Time of recovery for me was a bit longer because mine was open, people who did it lap they took shorter time (around 10 days)

I went in pure clear liquid diet for the 1st 2 weeks, then then non-clear liquids for another 2 weeks, semi solids for another 2 weeks and then had what ever I wanted after that!

I'm now almost on south beach diet! hi-protein, low carb, and low fat diet! less than 1200-1000calorie a day.
I work out daily for not less than 2 hours!
Can't be happier about myself!

Skin issues?! yes I do have sagging skin because I lost the weight in relatively short period of time!

and yes I'll go for major plastic surgery once I reach my goal.

I highly recommend this surgery! It has given me a new healthy happy life! I'm a new person!

Good luck
Hanadi

[Kenyar]

Not sure what affect age would have but i would think you might be in a better position than those of us who are "younger". I read something about anemia being less prevelent in older women who opt for this surgery. I would think you might have some kins issues but it depends on which you want more; to be thinner and healthy or to not have skin sagging in some areas. I have absolutely no regrets. I started out 262 when i inquired about the surgery. i weighed 258 on the day of and have been losing ever since. I would ask a dr or your surgeon about the age factor. i am sure that DOCSANAE will be in shortly to address your medical questions.

For the most part yes food taste and desires change at first because you CANT eat like you used to, and then by re-training yourslef you dont WANT the food you used to eat. It is truly amazing.

[Lanie]

Hi lynn,
My father had gastric bypass surgery two years ago at the age of 63--and he has done wonderful! He feels this surgery has saved and extended his life. He is doing things now he would never do before the surgery:ie; traveling, going to the gym, working outside,etc.
There are more pre-op tests that are done, such as stress tests, if one is over 50. That was the only difference between him and me( my surgery is in two days). Good luck with your decision!

[yma]

I would discuss it in lenght with your surgeon. See what he says on the age factor. Im sure your health issues will play a major role in your risks of complications moreso than your age.

[grandiose16]

Hi, I am 57 and I am having surgery June 25. If my skin hangs to my knees that is Ok if it means I am going to be healthier and take less medicine and enjoy life more. I think each person is different anyway depending on their genes and their skin. My mother and grandmother never looked their age so I am hoping that those good genes are part of my makeup. We will see. There is a woman here in my small town that weighed well over 300 lbs all of her life and she had the surgery 2 years ago and she looks great. Maybe its the clothes she wears but I see nothing to indicate how heavy she used to be. Ultimately the decision is yours and believe me you will have more questions as you go and everybody here has had the same questions and gone through the same thing at one time or another so please keep coming back and we will learn and help each other. Mattie

[smartwoman]

Thank you all for your comments and concern. I will be talking more to my doctor about the surgery, and will get all the tests that are required.

-lynn

[skippy]

I am 53 weigh is 330. my cousin is around six hundred pounds. she is having her surgery here in few weeks. i think some one that big need it more so then some one half that size. im right now waiting to see if my medical card will pay for mine. some one said it would not. but im hoping and praying for some thing to happen for me.if a person wants this done .and can pay for it i would say go for it. as long as health will let you. don't worry about age. good luck to all.

[fr1endly2]

JUST wanted to poke in LYNN and say hello!
THE best one to determine the AGE factor is your surgeon.
I think eery surgeon has different guidelines and criteria and were
a very ill older person could get turned down another in some what better health might be accepted to have the surgery.

AS far as post op eating, i really would say everyone is different. ALL of us have different food intolerances but being few days shy of 2 years out
i can eat most foods now just smaller amounts when i eat the food im supposed to. I find the junkier foods that mush up well in my mouth i can eat more of and that can be dangerous but im a trying.

It was odd the first 18 months post op i had crazy likes and dislikes to food but that has eased up now and i eat more like i used to. IM not as smell sensative to foods.
I know everyone gave some great info and just thought i would say hi briefly and i look forward to getting to know you thru your posts.

[DocSanae]

Hello, lynn, welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.

The age factor.
To be straightforward, yes, it can come into play.
The older you are, your risk factors for major surgery is going to increase, especially if you have comorbidities-- high blood pressure, high lipid levels, diabetes--as these could have done considerable damage to your blood vessels and to your heart. Also, age decreases your lung capacity so if you smoke, that is going to factor in, too, more than those who are younger.
I remember reading somewhere that the risk with WLS surgery goes up somewhat with those over 60, so as everyone says, you will need to consult with your dr and the surgeon to determin what your risk factors are, what can be done to alleviate them, and weigh the pros and cons.

Age also is going to be against you in decreasing the sagging skin, I'm afraid. Your skin very definitely will not have the elasticity and resilence of say, a 30 year old has. Though I hate to have to point it out, heck, even normal weight people see their bodies and skin sag at your age, so you'll have to accept the fact that you won't be able to get back youthful skin.

As for food. Yes, you will essentially be able to eat whatever is your choice once your weight settles. You can have a small dessert as well. All in moderation. However, with desserts and sweets, you may get the uncomfortable reaction called dumping, in which case, you will find yourself avoiding the particular foods that cause it. Also, even if you don't experience dumping, sweets often start cravings which can end up sabotaging your weightloss, so you need to be careful there, too.

At any rate, if you are considering the surgery, consult your PCP and a bariatric surgeon, and go over all your health problems and weigh the options and pros and cons. Ask any Qs you have, no Q is minor nor stupid enough to put off asking. The only way you will get all the info you need, and have the drs know what your risks are, and where that will put you, is for you to ask and tell EVERYTHING.

(((((HUGS)))) May your journey go well.