Am I Too Old To Do This?

3 years ago I was just a short period away from having a RNY when during my preop stress test it was found that I had a heart blockage.  They fixed that with a stent and 9 months later, I had another 95%  blockage (the stent failed) and had to have another stent.  Since that time I have been ok.

I'm now 59 years old and am going to see the surgeon on Monday about having having a vertical sleeve gastrectomy done.  I attended a seminar and think this will be the best choice for me as I  don't want anything rerouted nor deal with malabsorption issues.

My concern is, I'm 120 lbs overweight and I fear I will have so much excess skin and wrinkles after I lose the weight, I will look worse than I do now.   I am doing this for my health, for sure, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I want to look good again too.

Are there others here who are going into their 60's or in their 60's who have done this and have had success with keeping their excess skin issues to a minimum with exercise? I'm willing to do the work. and want to feel good again.    

Thanking you all in advance for our responses. You folks are the best! I've learned so much simply by reading all the posts here!

Linda

 linda hang in there .im65 in april i get my date from the doc feb 23 .best of luck to you ...bruce

Thanks, Bruce. I'm trying!

 I am 59. Will be 60 in July. Had my vsg oct 18,2011. Have not had problems yet with skin. I do exercise. I am losing slowly so that may be a factor. 

Hi Nick,

Thanks for your reply.  That's a good point....losing slowly may be the way to minimize the excess skin issue.   I feel so shallow about worrying about this, but it is a concern!

Linda

 I was 59 when I got my Sleeve.  The last two years have been Incredible.  I won't lie, there is skin involved, but we are so much healthier without the 100+ pounds.  You won't regret it!

Hi Aaron,

That is my hope...that I'll be so much healthier that nothing else will matter!    Thanks for your reply!

Linda

 I was sleeved 8/31/11 at age 57.  I was about 130# overweight, IMO, perhaps a little less. I did it because I couldn't keep up with my beloved grandson and it is of utmost importance to me to be able to do so.  I am down less than a pound shy of 70#.  I feel a TON better and movement is easier. I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I was lucky and had absolutely no complications. I had it done on Wed. morning, got out of the hospital Friday morning, slept like a baby in my own bed Friday night and felt so good when I got up Saturday morning that I went away for the remainder of the Labor Day week-end.
I look far better in clothes than without but I am not one to wander around naked anyway. I have noticed that the fat leaving my face is revealing wrinkles I didn't know I had, but hey! I'm almost 60 so I guess that is to be expected. If it becomes too upsetting, I may do something about it, but I doubt it. I was lucky to have a wonderful surgical experience having the VSG and why push my luck?
My only regret is that this surgery wasn't available 40 years ago. I spent far too much of my life wishing I could break up my love affair with food.
Good luck, dear!  You won't be sorry....
Mickey

I would be lying if I said there won't be wrinkles and loose skin.  There WILL be.  But hey that's what they make clothes for!  As far as the wrinkles goes, yeah there's time it's kind of depressing but as some on here have told me give it some time and things readjust and don't seem as bad as you think at first.

My story:  I was 53 when I had the surgery done on surgery day I weighted 197, I lost all my excess weight by 9 months.  I would say my skin resembles a balloon that has been blown up and now all the air is out!!!  But you know, most days I don't care, clothes covers what I don't want to show (except for the wrinkles on my face) and hey it's no different than turning grey!!!  You can't stop aging.  It is what it is but in the end it's the health that really mattered to me.  I was taking 7 pills and 2 shots daily before I had surgery, today I take 1 for thyroid, 1 for cholesterol and 1 injection (but a lot less) daily!  I FEEL so much better have so much more engergy and enjoy life so much more!!!

Is it worth it....to me HELL yes!!!  I know to others I look older than I am but hey looks isn't  EVERYTHING!!! 

This surgery is very much a personal choice and not one to be taken lightly.  Do you research and don't forget to do a great deal of soul searching as to what you want and what to expect!!!

Thanks for your response.  

I'm not kidding myself in thinkiing I'll look like a 20 yr old again. A  healthy 60 year old would be nice :).  The face wrinkles I have already, tho they're plumped up now a bit!  

I want to feel healthy and strong again and I believe this is how I will get there.  After talking with the surgeon and his team on Monday, I 'll know more.   

Thank you too for your honesty.   It's not an easy road for any of us for sure!   

Linda